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Options for Chronic Pain Relief

Photo of a woman's neck and shoulders with lit-up nerves depicting pain

Do you struggle with chronic pain?

Are you tired of constantly taking pain relief medication?

Has nothing else worked?

If you're living with chronic pain, you've probably tried a lot of things — pain relievers, ice packs, heating pads, maybe even a few different types of therapy. And if you're still hurting, you're not alone. Chronic pain affects millions of people, and for many, the standard approaches just don't get to the root of the problem.

At our office, we focus on finding and correcting the underlying cause of your pain. That's where specific structural correction and extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) come in.

What Is Specific Structural Correction?

Most people think of chiropractic care as a quick adjustment to pop things back into place. Specific structural correction is different. It's a targeted, science-based approach designed to correct the actual structural shifts in your spine — the kind that put pressure on your nerves, throw your body out of alignment, and lead to chronic pain over time.

Think of your spine as the foundation of your home. If the foundation is off, everything else is affected — the walls, the doors, the windows. Your body works the same way. When your spine is out of alignment, it can lead to pain in your back, neck, shoulders, hips, and even your hands and feet.

Specific structural correction focuses on making lasting, measurable corrections to your spine's structure. It's not about quick fixes, it's about restoring your body's foundation so you can move, sleep, and live without pain.

How Can ESWT Help with Chronic Pain?

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy, or ESWT, is a non-invasive treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to stimulate healing in damaged soft tissues. It's particularly effective for chronic conditions that haven't responded to other treatments — things like plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, chronic muscle pain, and joint pain.

Here's how it works: the sound waves trigger your body's natural healing response, increasing blood flow and breaking down scar tissue in the affected area. This helps reduce pain, improve mobility, and speed up recovery, all without surgery or medication.

We often use ESWT alongside specific structural correction. While chiropractic adjustments address the structural shifts in your spine, ESWT targets the soft tissue damage that can develop as a result of those shifts. Together, they provide a more complete path to relief.

Why Treating the Cause Matters

Chronic pain is stubborn because it's usually not caused by one thing. It's often the result of a cycle: for example, a structural shift in your spine leads to poor posture or uneven movement, which puts extra stress on certain muscles and joints, which leads to inflammation and pain, which makes you move differently, which reinforces the original problem. Breaking that cycle means addressing both the structural issue and the soft tissue damage it created.

Discuss Treatment Options with an Ann Arbor Chiropractor

Chronic pain doesn't have to be your new normal. Whether you're dealing with back pain, neck pain, numbness in your hands or feet, or a nagging injury that won't heal, we're here to help.

Schedule a complimentary consultation at our Ann Arbor chiropractor’s office — no pressure, just a conversation about what's possible for you. Call 734-221-0362 or submit a contact form here.

Customer Reviews

  • Dr.Andrew Gessert is an outstanding professional with amazing skill in adjusting my neck and spine. I can continue in my sport feeling great after an adjustment. You don't know how great you can feel till your nerves and spine are aligned. Thank you Dr. Gessert.

    Pamela S.

  • I started seeing Dr. Andrew last summer after my Cross Fit coach listened to my complaints about my body and urged me to get a consultation. It’s now been almost a full year, and not only do I feel so much better physically—much less chronic pain—but I feel much more in touch and in tune with my body, due to the treatment he provides, and also the at-home stretching that he prescribed. Dr. Andrew is friendly and always takes the time to listen to how I’m feeling, and he never fails to amaze me at how he can assess my physical problems and use his training to correct them. I would recommend him to anyone who has pain and wants to feel better!

    Aaron R.

  • Great experience for me. Easy to work with and accommodating. Andy has a very clear process and steps through it adjusting on the way. He is professional, communicates well and is never rushed. Every thing is very well explained and measured. My results have been great. Life changing. Highly recommended.

    Willy L.

  • I’m very impressed with Dr. Gessert’s skill in adjusting my neck and spine; especially given the fact that I have had numerous orthopedic surgeries. Not only am I walking straighter, he also provided me with an ongoing strengthening plan to maintain the results I am happily experiencing. Highly recommend a visit to Pivotal Chiropractic.

    Steven P.

  • Dr. Andrew is an amazing Chiropractor. He is always prompt with communication. His office is very clean and he has state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. Dr. Andrew takes the time to customize a plan for you for better motion, better posture, and less discomfort. I would absolutely recommend Dr Andrew to anyone looking for Chiropractic professionals.

    Jeff O.