Scott-Lynn Square, Morgantown Rd., Uniontown, Pa.
724-434-BACK (2225)
© 2006-2010 HSCWC
Wellness Products
Healthy Solutions offers a variety of health and wellness products.
Call or ask Dr. Moffatt to learn how these products can further improve your health.
Specific Adjustments
Dr. Moffatt performs specific adjustments to target specific health concerns.
Conditions Treated
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Symptoms/Description
A neurobehavioral developmental disorder affecting about 3-5% of the world's population under the age of 19. It typically presents itself during childhood, and is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity, as well as forgetfulness, poor impulse control or impulsivity, and distractibility.
Treatment
Treatment for either condition may consist of a combination of chiropractic adjustments, exercises, dietary changes and supplementation.
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Symptoms/Description
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Nasal itching (rubbing)
- Itchy ears and throat
- Post nasal drip (throat clearing)
Treatment
While anti-histamines have helped to reduce the severity of some allergy symptoms, these are not without side effects. For this reason, natural alternatives to anti-histamine medication should be pursued. Because allergies are caused by an improper immune response, reducing allergies requires improving the health of the immune system.
One of the best ways to improve immune system function is to improve nervous system function. Because the nervous system regulates the immune system, a properly functioning nervous system is better able to coordinate immune response in the body. Chiropractic adjustments have helped many allergy sufferers by improving the function of the nervous system.
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Symptoms/Description
True “arthritis” implies inflammation of a joint. Symptoms of arthritis include pain, swelling, redness, and warmth. Arthritic joints are generally stiff. Affected joints are often tender to touch and pressure.
Treatments
Chiropractic care has long given patient’s relief from arthritis. Chiropractic works against arthritis to improve joint function, which in turn reduces inflammation. Over 100 different types of arthritis afflict patients of all ages. The proper alignment of the spinal column and other joints can often provide relief.
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Symptoms/Description
- Shortness of breath - especially with exertion or at night
- Wheezing - a whistling or hissing sound when breathing out
- Coughing - may be chronic; usually worse at night and early morning; and may occur after exercise or when exposed to cold, dry air
- Chest tightness - may occur with or without the above symptoms
Treatment
There is a strong link between people who suffer from childhood asthma and nerve interference from subluxation. Subluxations occur when misaligned spinal vertebrae put pressure on spinal nerves. This results in abnormal nerve function. Chiropractic care restores optimal nerve function by removing harmful subluxations. Based on current information, chiropractic care represents a safe, non-pharmacological health care approach that may be associated with a decrease in asthma-related impairment, reduced respiratory effort and a decreased incidence of asthma attacks.
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Symptoms/Descriptions
Patients with carpal tunnel syndrome initially feel numbness and tingling of the hand in the distribution of the median nerve (the thumb, index, middle, and part of the fourth fingers). These sensations are often more pronounced at night and can awaken patients from sleep.
Treatment
Chiropractic care can often reduce symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and improve function. Treatment includes any or all of the following: Chiropractic manipulation of the spine and upper extremity joints, manual soft tissue therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, home exercises and ergonomic training.
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Symptoms/Descriptions
Degenerative Joint Disease and Degenerative Disc Disease result from repetitive wear and tear on our joints (both in our spine and extremities) and spinal discs. DJD and DDD are characterized by loss of motion, breakdown of joint cartilage, and in more severe cases, permanent fusion of a joint. Symptoms may include stiffness, pain, weakness, “clicking” or “popping” of joints and loss of function. Symptoms may be constant or intermittent, and can range in intensity from mild to physically debilitating. While genetics and age may play a role, the primary cause of degenerative diseases is a combination of 1) the amount of stress exerted on a body, and 2) how well the body absorbs that stress. It is also important to note that degenerative conditions can be present long before symptoms first appear.
Treatment
Prevention is the best treatment for DJD and DDD, however most cases are discovered after symptoms arise. In either case, treatment involves the following:
1) Thorough evaluation including x-rays to locate the affected joints.
2) Chiropractic manipulation to restore optimal posture and reduce the affects of stress on the joints.
3) Ergonomic training to reduce stress in a patient’s environment.
4) Periodic exercises and stretching to improve joint strength and range of motion.
5) Nutritional supplements that promote healthy joint tissues. (Dr. Moffatt uses and recommends Arthrisea.)
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Symptoms/Descriptions
The symptoms of a herniated disc depend on the exact level of the spine where the disc herniation occurs, the extent of the herniation and whether or not nerve tissue is being irritated. A disc herniation may not cause any symptoms. However, disc herniation can cause local pain at the level of the spine affected.
Treatment
Specific chiropractic adjustments can help restore optimal spinal posture which in turn reduces stress and pressure on the herniated disc. Research has shown that “the care of inter-vertebral disc herniation by chiropractic adjustment is both safe and effective.” Before chiropractic treatment is rendered, however, a patient must undergo a thorough evaluation to determine where they should be adjusted.
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Symptoms/Descriptions
Dizziness is the feeling of being woozy, drunk, unsteady, or giddy. There is often a feeling of imbalance (disequilibrium) without a true sensation of turning or spinning.
Vertigo refers to a hallucination of motion that can be linear (straight ahead), falling, or rocking. It is often described as a spinning, turning, or whirling sensation.
Treatment
Chiropractic treatment aims to remove irritation to the nervous system and thus re-establish proper communication between the body and the brain. Subluxation, particularly in the neck, has been theorized to interfere with both nerve and blood flow to the spinal cord and inner ear. It is well known that vertigo can stem from dysfunction in the spinal column and research has shown that the majority of vertigo sufferers have spinal dysfunction (subluxation- nerve irritation/ altered range of motion) in the neck.
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Symptoms/Descriptions
Symptoms may include fever, earache, ear pain, hearing loss, feeling of blockage in the ear, and dizziness. These symptoms can result from spinal misalignments, most-commonly in the neck region, that irritate the nerves associated with the ears. Cases of frequent ear infections (more common in children) are often caused by a slight “kink” in the Eustachian tube that drains fluid from the ear. This “kink” traps fluid and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.
Treatment
Chiropractic adjustments can restore function to the nerves associated with the ears. Adjustments of the top vertebrate in the neck can also relax the “kink” in the Eustachian tube and allow the trapped fluid to drain properly. When working with children, chiropractors typically use gentle adjustments involving very light pressure, as opposed to the more-manual adjustments used on adults.
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Symptoms/Descriptions
Fibromyalgia is a very aggravating and often debilitating condition that involves multiple regions of the body, and causes a variety of different symptoms. By definition, fibromyalgia basically means “connective and muscle tissue pain.” There is no known cause of fibromyalgia, which adds to the frustration of those who suffer with it.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- Widespread pain and tenderness
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Skin Complaints
- Depression
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Fatigue
- Muscle Weakness
- Anxiety
- Vision Problems
- Weight Gain
- Sleep Disorders
Different patients present with different patterns of symptoms.
Treatment
Recently, more fibromyalgia patients have been seeking chiropractic care. Because fibromyalgia causes numerous tender points all over the body, many fibromyalgia patients suffer from back pain, neck pain, and leg cramps. Spinal adjustments can restore optimal posture and nerve function throughout the body, and often significantly reduce the symptoms of fibromyalgia.
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Symptoms/Descriptions
Heartburn and acid reflux occur when digestive acid in the stomach escapes up into the esophagus, thus “burning” the throat. Symptoms may include:
- A burning sensation in the chest, right behind the breastbone, which occurs after eating and may last for several hours
- Chest pain, especially when bending over, lying down or eating
- Burning in the throat – or a hot, sour, acidic or salty tasting fluid in the back of the throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Feeling of food sticking in the middle of the chest or throat
- Chronic cough or sore throat.
Treatment
In many cases, chiropractic adjustments in the neck and/or mid-back regions restore function to the nerves that control the muscles of the stomach and esophagus. This prevents stomach acid from “leaking” into the esophagus. (Antacids and prescription medication are effective in neutralizing stomach acid, thus eliminating the “burning” symptoms; however this does not solve the cause of the problem and furthermore leads to poor food digestion.)
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Symptoms/Descriptions
Hip and knee pain can come from a variety of conditions, including arthritis and sprain/strains. In most cases, the common cause is abnormal stress on the joints and supporting tissues (muscles, ligaments, etc.)
Treatment
Chiropractic care restores optimal posture in the spine and pelvis. This in turn balances and reduces stress on the hips and knees. In certain cases, treatment may also include exercises, stretching, ergonomic training and nutritional supplements.
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Symptoms/Descriptions
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a general diagnosis often used to identify a number of different digestive disorders. Symptoms may include constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, flatulence and bloating.
Treatment
One of the many causes of IBS is spinal misalignment. Misaligned vertebrae can put pressure on spinal nerves and interfere with nerve signals between the brain and the muscles of the digestive tract. This in turn causes the many types of digestive tract problems mentioned above.
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Symptoms/Descriptions
There are many causes of lower back pain, ranging from muscle and joint problems to specific cases of organ dysfunction.
Treatment
To determine which of many causes of lower back pain are present, patients must first undergo a thorough evaluation, often including spinal x-rays. In most cases the cause is joint or muscle related. In these cases, chiropractic adjustments can restore optimal function to joints and reduce muscle spasm and pain.
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Symptoms/Descriptions
There are many causes of mid-back (thoracic) pain, ranging from muscle and joint problems to dysfunction of specific organs. The pain is often aggravated while taking a deep breath or coughing. In some cases, mid-back pain radiates into the ribcage and/or chest region.
Treatment
As mid-back pain can sometimes be a symptom of a serious medical condition (such as a heart attack), it is important that patients first undergo a thorough history and evaluation. In most cases, chiropractic adjustments can be performed to restore optimal posture and function to the spinal joints and remove interference from the spinal nerves in the mid-back region. Treatment may also include electrical muscle stimulation and home exercises.
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Symptoms/Descriptions
There are many types of headaches, including tension headaches, cluster headaches and migraines. Headache symptom patterns vary greatly. Some begin gradually, while some are sudden. Pain may be sharp, dull, achy or throbbing pain. Symptoms may be felt on one or both sides of the head, and may be located anywhere from the base of the skull to the forehead region. Often loud noises or bright lights may make them worse. Some patients may complain of nausea, odd smells or sensitivity to light or sound before and during the headache.
Treatment
Prior to treatment, a thorough history and exam must be performed, as in rare cases headaches can be a symptom of a serious medical condition. In most cases, however, chiropractic adjustments (usually in the neck and upper back) are very effective in reducing headaches. Chiropractic adjustments restore optimal spinal posture, which in turn relaxes the muscles in the neck and shoulders. Specific adjustments of the top vertebrae in the neck have also been linked with headache relief. Treatment may also include manual muscle therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, home exercises and ergonomic training.
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Symptoms/Descriptions
Muscle spasm is usually the result of repetitive stress, but can also be a protective mechanism in the body in response to trauma or organ dysfunction. Muscle spasm can also be the result of dehydration. A muscle spasm is a sustained contraction of a muscle beyond its normal muscle tone. Patients experience tightness in the affected area, and on occasion pain and tenderness.
Treatment
When treating muscle spasm, it is crucial to identify the underlying cause. While moist heat, massage, electrical muscle stimulation and stretching can provide temporary relief, correcting the primary cause of the spasm can provide permanent relief. Chiropractic adjustments are effective in restoring optimal posture, which in turn allows muscles to relax. As many postural problems are due to repetitive stress, periodic chiropractic adjustments and ergonomic training are often utilized to prevent reoccurrence of muscle spasm.
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Symptoms/Description
There are many causes of neck pain, including whiplash, repetitive stress, degenerative joint disease and arthritis. Symptom patterns are numerous. Pain can be sharp, dull, achy, throbbing or burning. Neck pain can occur on one side or both sides of the neck. Sometimes the pain radiates into the head or upper extremities. Often range of motion is affected. Symptoms may be constant or intermittent, and can range in intensity from mild to debilitating.
Treatment
Chiropractic adjustments remove pressure from spinal nerves and restore optimal posture to the head and neck region. This relieves stress on the spinal joints and muscles and reduces pain. A thorough evaluation, often including x-rays, is necessary to identify specifically where adjustments should be performed.
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Symptoms/Description
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff is the site of various types of injuries, including strains and tears. Rotator cuff problems are usually the result of either direct trauma or repetitive stress. Symptom patterns can range from mild to severe pain, and from slight impairment to total loss of function.
Treatment
When treating any rotator cuff problem, you must first identify which aspect of the rotator cuff is injured. Chiropractic adjustments are effective in restoring proper motion to the shoulder joint. Treatment may also include one or more of the following: Electrical muscle stimulation, heat or ice, stretching, range of motion exercises and muscle strengthening exercises. Resolution of rotator cuff injuries is often a slow process and can become frustrating for the patient. It is important to be patient and follow the treatment plan.
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Symptoms/Description
There are many types of leg pain, the most well known is sciatica. Sciatica is caused by irritation to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve may be irritated by a herniated disc or by tight muscles in the lower back, hip and thigh regions. Sciatica is described as a burning pain along the back of the thigh and leg, extending to the foot.
Other forms of leg pain include referred pain from lower back, hip, knee and foot problems, muscle spasm and sometimes vascular problems.
Treatment
Treatment of leg pain depends upon identifying the cause of symptoms. In cases of sciatica and referred pain, chiropractic adjustments remove pressure from spinal nerves and restore optimal alignment and function to joints in the lower back and extremities, thus correcting the cause of the problem and eliminating the pain.
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Symptoms/Description
Tension (sometimes accompanied by burning pain) in the muscles between the neck and shoulder regions. (This differs from rotator cuff problems.) This problem is primarily caused by poor head and neck posture, and is often the result of repetitive stress or an unresolved past trauma.
Treatment
Treatment starts with a thorough evaluation to identify specific postural imbalances. Chiropractic adjustments are performed to restore optimal posture and function. Adjustments are often accompanied by electrical muscle stimulation and/or manual muscle therapy. Patients also receive instruction regarding stretching, exercise and proper ergonomics (at home and/or in the workplace.)
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Symptoms/Description
There are many types of sports injuries, ranging from minor sprains to fractured bones. The most important aspect of treatment of sports injuries is a thorough evaluation to determine the scope of the injury.
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Symptoms/Description
Whiplash is described as a hyperflexion/extension injury of the neck, and involves a rapid, forceful combination of forward and backward head and neck movement. While most commonly associated with auto accidents, whiplash can result from many forms of trauma, including slips and falls and sports injuries. (It is important to note that whiplash can occur in seemingly minor, low-velocity impacts.) Whiplash symptoms range from tightness to severe pain, and often include nausea, dizziness, headache and/or visual disturbances.
Treatment
Treatment involves chiropractic adjustments to restore optimal alignment and function to the spinal vertebrae. Passive modalities including electrical muscle stimulation, traction and ice/heat are often added for both symptom relief and further correction of postural misalignments.
** Regardless of the absence or presence of symptoms, it is important for patients to receive a chiropractic evaluation within 24-48 hours after the whiplash injury occurs to help prevent long-term consequences.