Pivotal Chiropractic Now Offers ESWT in Ann Arbor!
Have you ever heard of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)?
If not, let us tell you all about the new service we offer!
Dr. Gessert understands how frustrating it is when pain or injury won’t go away—even after trying rest, stretching, or medication. That’s why we now offer Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) at our Ann Arbor office: a safe, non-invasive treatment designed to help your body heal itself without surgery.
“Extracorporeal” means “outside the body,” and “shockwave” refers to gentle sound waves. In ESWT, those waves are directed at the injured or painful area to help stimulate healing from deep inside—boosting circulation, encouraging repair, and reducing discomfort.
How ESWT Helps
Here’s what makes ESWT effective and why many patients feel better after treatment:
- Stimulates blood flow. The shockwaves increase local circulation, bringing in fresh nutrients and oxygen that help tissues recover.
- Breaks down problematic buildup. If there are small areas of tight, scarred, or hardened tissue (like calcifications), ESWT can help break them up so the body can more easily remove them.
- Encourages natural repair. By gently “waking up” injured tissue, ESWT can trigger your body’s own healing processes. Over time, this can reduce pain and improve function.
- Minimal downtime. Because it’s non-surgical, ESWT often means less risk, fewer side effects, and faster return to regular activities compared to more invasive options.
Who Can Benefit
We often recommend ESWT for people who are:
- Dealing with tendon problems such as Achilles tendinitis, jumper’s knee, or rotator cuff issues
- Suffering from plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
- Struggling with common overuse injuries (like tennis elbow) that haven’t responded to other conservative treatments
- Looking to avoid surgery or long courses of medication
If you’re unsure whether ESWT is right for you, we’ll evaluate your condition carefully and explain all your options.
What to Expect During Treatment
Here’s what you’ll typically experience when you come in for ESWT at Pivotal Chiropractic:
- Assessment. We’ll talk with you about your pain, do a physical exam, and determine whether ESWT is a good option.
- Treatment session. You’ll be comfortably positioned; we’ll apply gel to the skin over the area being treated, then deliver short pulses of sound wave energy. You may feel mild pressure or tingling—but it should not be painful.
- Aftercare. Usually there is little to no downtime. You might feel some soreness or mild swelling in the treated area for a day or two, similar to what you’d expect after a workout. Most people resume normal activities quickly.
Why Choose ESWT at Pivotal Chiropractic
At Pivotal Chiropractic, our goal is always to get to the root cause of your discomfort—not just cover up symptoms. We use a structural correction approach, working not only to relieve pain but also to improve alignment, movement, and function over time. ESWT is an excellent part of that toolbox when appropriate.
We personalize care plans for each patient, combining ESWT with other therapies, exercises, and adjustments as needed to help ensure long-lasting improvement.
Get ESWT in Ann Arbor!
If you’re tired of living with pain or limited movement, we’d be happy to talk with you about whether ESWT could be part of your path forward. Contact us for a consultation—no pressure, just a chance to explore what might help you feel better, move easier, and regain more of what you love doing.