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Chiropractic Dictionary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Activator

A form of treatment to stimulate muscles, move bones and correct vertebral subluxations. It is applied by a mechanism called an activator instrument. The activator instrument resembles a small, gun-type, syringe-shaped object that is held in the practitioner's hand and is squeezed to trigger a quick thrust with varying degrees of speed and a specific line of correction to the musculature and bones of the spine. A leg test is utilized within the treatment to determine the presence of vertebral subluxations especially in the lumbosacral and cervical regions of the spine.

Acupressure

A form of treatment with the fingers applied to those specific areas of the body used in acupuncture to relieve the discomfort associated with painful disorders and for therapeutic purposes.

Acupuncture

Please see the Techniques link. The Chinese practice of piercing specific peripheral nerves with needles to relieve the discomfort associated with painful disorders and for therapeutic purposes.

Adhesions

Fibrous bands or structures created by healing tissues. These fibrous bands or structures and the stable joining of parts to each other, which may occur abnormally, may be prevented with appropriate treatment and therapy.

Adjustment

Manipulation of the spine, said to restore normal nerve function and cure disease. It attempts to restore normal function of the nerve system by manipulation and treatment of the structures of the human body, especially those of the spinal column.

Chiropractic employs manipulation and adjustment of body structures, such as the spinal column, so that pressure on nerves coming from the spinal cord due to displacement (subluxation) of a vertebral body may be relieved. Practitioners believe that misalignment and nerve pressure can cause problems not only in the local area, but also at some distance from it.

Applied Kinesiology

A specialized form of diagnosis that primarily utilizes muscle testing, postural analysis, gait analysis, motion analysis, range of motion analysis, static palpation, history, examination and lab tests. When a muscle is found that is weak, the practitioner determines why there is inadequate muscle function. Then, appropriate treatment and therapy are applied to restore muscle function.

Autonomic Nervous System

ANS: The portion of the nervous system concerned with regulation of the activity of cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, and glands. These portions of the body are self-controlling and function independent of cognitive thought.

Biomechanics

The use and application of mechanical laws of the human body and other living structures, especially the human body's locomotor (movement) system.

Bones

The hard tissue of the skeleton; osseous tissue. The bone, which is also hard tissue that is connective tissue, has components of organic (cells and matrix structure of collagen fibers) and inorganic (minerals within the collagen fibers). The minerals that give the tissue its stiff, firm nature are calcium phosphate (85%) and calcium carbonate (10%).

Cartilage

Fibrous connective tissue, which supports the body and fastens structures of the body together. It exists in several types, the most important of which are hyaline (glassy, filmy, transparent) cartilage, elastic (stretchy, flexible, mostly yellow) cartilage, and fibro (parallel thick bundles of mostly strong white fibers) cartilage.

CAT Scan

Computerized Axial Tomography; an image of a cross-section of the body. A scan, in which a scintillation counter (a device that aids in the identification of, concentration of and conversion of various types of matter in the scan beam) measures a x-ray beam and a magnetic disk records electronic impulses, which are then fed through a computer for arrangement of an image of a cross-section of the body through a cathode ray tube (a vacuum tube for accelerated cathode rays to form a beam to create luminous spots on a fluorescent screen).

Caduceus

The chiropractic emblem symbolizing a doctor of chiropractic. The insignia usually depicts a winged man and banner. The symbolic representation originates from or is a variation of a winged man, man, staff, or rod, and a banner or entwined snake. It relates to the winged herald and the wand of Hermes or Mercury, the messengers of the gods and Aesculapius, the mythical Greco-Roman god of healing.

Central Nervous System

CNS: That portion of the nervous system consisting of the brain, spinal cord and spinal nerves. These portions of the body are controlled by the individual and utilize cognitive thought.

Cervical Spine

The 7 vertebrae in the neck and its surrounding structures. This portion of the spinal column pertains to the neck between the top of the shoulders and the base of the skull.

Cervicobrachial

Pertaining to the neck and arm.

Cervicobrachialgia

Pain in the neck radiating to the arm, due to compression of nerve roots of the cervical spinal cord.

Chiropractic Neurologist

A chiropractor with additional post-graduate courses and board certified as an expert in neurology, which is the treatment of disorders of the nervous system.

Chiropractic Nutritionist

A chiropractor with additional post-graduate courses and is credentialed as a specialist in food and nutrition.

Chiropractic Orthopedist

A chiropractor with additional post-graduate courses and is board certified as an expert in orthopedics, which is the treatment of disorders of the musculoskeletal (muscles/skeleton) system.

Chiropractic Pediatrician

A chiropractor with additional post-graduate courses and is board certified as an expert in pediatrics, which is the treatment of disorders of children, and understanding of proper child development.

Chiropractic Sports Physician

A chiropractor with additional post-graduate courses and is credentialed as a specialist in the treatment of acute and chronic musculoskeletal (muscles/skeletal) conditions, especially those arising from or similar to sports injuries.

Chiropractor

A practitioner of chiropractic who is board certified.

Coccygeal

Pertaining to or located in the region of the coccyx (tailbone).

Coccyx

The tailbone; the small bode caudad (directed toward the tail) to the sacrum (the bony area above the tailbone) in man, formed by the union of three to five but usually four rudimentary vertebrae, and forming the caudal extremity of the vertebral column.

Cold Packs

Application of packs containing cold gel or ice to lower the temperature of an injured area of the body or an area that has undergone stress. The temperature may serve to cool or numb the area to halt or reduce inflammation, and aid in healing.

Conditioning Exercises

Train; to make a healthier, stronger, more adaptable, injury resistant body. To subject to conditioning, which is retraining the body to elicit an improved chemical and muscular response to stimulus (work load or movement) that previously has been presented and elicited an impaired response (painful, disabled, inadequate, or weaker response) in conjunction with the stimulus originally.

Cord Pressure

Pressure upon the spinal cord. Such pressure is typically accompanied by nerve impingement, inflammation and loss of function.

CT

Cathode Tube: A vacuum tube for accelerated cathode rays to form a beam to create luminous spots on a fluorescent screen to make an image of a part of the body.

Deep Tissue Massage

The systematic therapeutic slow deep pressure, stroking, kneading, and compression applied to the body manually to affect tissues far beneath the surface to break up toxins in tissues that are resistant to cleansing and to circulate out these toxins. Also, slow deep pressure, stroking, kneading and compression used to reinstate or improve circulation to oxygenate the tissues, improve the lymphatic cleansing of cellular debris, waste products and post-trauma infiltrates, reduce inflammation, improve muscle elasticity and flexibility, increase joint range of motion, increase intestinal motility and aid in a variety of bodily functions.

Diathermy

Short wave diathermy: the therapeutic heating of the body tissues by means of an oscillating electromagnetic field of high frequency; the frequency varies from 10 million to 100 million cycles per second and the wavelength from 30 to 3 meters. Ultra-short-wave diathermy uses wavelengths less than 10 meters. Heating of the body tissues is due to their resistance to the passage of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, electric currents, or ultrasonic waves. Diathermy heats at deeper level, removes waste products, circulation, like massage only deeper. Mild sedation effect.

Disc Bulge

An intervertebral disc, which has become swollen or protuberant with varying degrees of tearing of the annulus fibrosus, the fibrous ring of the disc, therefore causing disc angulation (one side of the disc has collapsed and is lower than the other side, creating the shape of an angle) and decreasing disc height between vertebrae and decreasing the intervertebral foramen (openings and passages between vertebrae) for nerves and blood vessels.

Disease

A departure from good health. It includes signs showing any combination of body parts, organs, or systems manifesting indications of deviation of structures for normal function or the interruption of normal function. Disease classically has a characteristic set of symptoms and signs and whose etiology, pathology, and prognosis may be known or unknown.

Effleurage Massage

The systematic therapeutic long stroking, rubbing and kneading movements applied to the body manually to promote increased circulation to oxygenate the tissues, loosen toxins from the surface to moderate depth of muscle tissues, aid in cleansing the lymphatic system, reduce inflammation, improve muscle elasticity and flexibility, increase joint range of motion, and aid in a variety of bodily functions.

Electroacupuncture

Acupuncture treatment with the use of electrically stimulated needles.

Electrotherapy

Electrotherapeutics; treatment of disease by means of electricity.

EMS

Electrical Muscle Stimulation: Electrostimulation; electrical stimulation of tissues, as for therapeutic purposes.

Ethyl chloride

A colorless, mobile liquid chemical sprayed onto intact skin as a local mild anesthetic often used while therapeutic stretching is performed to reduce muscle spasms and/or adhesions and increase the flexibility of normal range of motion.

Exercise

The performance of physical exertion for improvement of health or the correction of physical deformity [or dysfunction]. See also: Rehabilitation Exercise

Fomentation Heat Therapy

Treatment by warm and moist applications with packs or pads; also a substance to act as a poultice applied with or without a warm, moist delivery system.

Gait Analysis

An examination of the manner or style of walking into its component elements to detect varied body movements of leaning, dragging, swinging, swaying, flexion, oscillation, balance, progression, advancement acceleration, hesitations and exaggerations so that conditions of disease and ill health may be detected.

Galvanic Electrical Stimulation

The therapeutic use of galvanic electricity; unidirectional electrical current. Galvanism is a continuous, waveless, unidirectional current of low voltage, commercially spoken of a direct current. Galvanic current is decidedly chemical in action and, as it passes through the body, breaks up some of the molecules that it encounters into their component atoms or ions as they are more properly called. All ions have either a positive or negative electric charge and attract or repel each other with like charges repelling and unlike charges attracting. When two dissimilar ions unite, a neutral molecule is formed, but when the galvanic current breaks this union, the original positive and negative ions are liberated. Actions produced by galvanic content with positive current: attracts acids, repels alkali, hardens tissue, contracts tissue, strops hemorrhage, diminishes congestion, sedative, relieves pain in acute conditions due to reduction of congestion - if scar is formed, it is hard and firm. Actions produced by galvanic content with negative current: attracts alkali, repels acid, softens tissue, dilates tissues, increases hemorrhage, increases congestion, stimulating, reduces pain in chronic conditions to softening of tissues and increase of circulation.

Hard Tissue

Bony tissue and bone, whether normal or of a soft tissue, which has become ossified (hardened as bone).

Heat Therapy

Therapy, whether by use of heated water, heating pads, fomentation heating pads, chemicals (lotions, ointments, preparations), packs, electrical devices or devices that use sound waves, to heat the affected area and increase circulation and healing. Heat therapy induces the sensation of a gradient increase in temperature. It exists in the form of molecular or atomic vibration (thermal agitation) and may be transferred by conduction through a substance (usually water or chemical), by convection (heated delivery) by a substance, and by radiation as electromagnetic waves.

Herniated Disc

The abnormal protrusion of an intervertebral disc (cushioning disc in between the vertebrae) through an injury defect opening in the annulus fibrosus (fibrous ring) covering tissue, causing the protrusion of the nucleus pulposus (pulpy center) or annulus fibrosus (fibrous ring) of the disc, either of which may impinge on nerve roots.

Ice Massage

Medium to large pieced of ice therapeutically used for direct application to an injured area of the body or an area that has undergone stress. Application usually includes rubbing, stroking, and circular movements of the ice upon the skin to numb the affected area as well as causing movement in the area to loosen cellular debris, waste products and post-trauma infiltrates, aid in cleansing the lymphatic chain around the affected area, reduce inflammation, improve flexibility of the affected area and to aid in healing.

Ice Therapy

Medium to large pieces of ice used for direct application, packs containing cold gel or ice, or use of containers filled with ice and water to lower the temperature of an injured area of the body or an area that has undergone stress. The temperature may serve to cool or numb the area to halt or reduce inflammation, and aid in healing.

Imaging

The production of clarity, contrast, and detail in images, especially in radiological, ultrasound and magnetic resonance images by use of methods of visualizing deep structures of the body, in which a x-ray beam, sound wave or electron beam, is passed through the patient and the emerging beam strikes a plate or is read by a device; a record of such information (e.g., a film) is made from the plate or device.

Inflammation

Swelling in tissues after stress or trauma such as injury or overuse. The swelling is a protective action the body takes to splint or immobilize the affected area and to wall off or segregate the affected tissue while the body tries to repair the damage. Sudden onset inflammation, especially in the first 72 hours, includes classical signs of pain, heat, puffiness, redness, restricted range of motion and restricted function. Chronic inflammation from a continued acute (sudden onset) phase or a prolonged minimal inflammation from a continual stress or condition usually causes permanent tissue damage due to the slow progressive formation of new connective tissue it adds to the affected area.

Innate Intelligence

The body's inborn ability to heal itself. The inherent natural factors that exist within an individual from birth that address the essential nature of the body and its processes of healing, repair and renewal. The existence of knowledge the body has to heal itself that did not need to be learned through experience. Also, the application of these abilities the body makes to heal, without the need of adding to the body that which it did not already have, but by letting the processes flow unencumbered.

Intersegmental Traction

The therapeutic slow pulling, drawing, and holding apart of the structures of the body. The drawing apart of the portions of the spine for repeated short periods to relieve pressure placed on intervertebral discs to aid in the restoration of the fluid within the discs and reduce inflammation in the surrounding tissues especially around spinal nerves. Done by means of an appliance, harness, or device that exerts the needed degrees of force to draw the vertebrae slightly apart.

Intervertebral disc

The rounded, circular object that acts as a cushion in between vertebrae. The outer layer of the disc is composed of layers of fibrocartilage called the annulus fibrosus (fibrous ring), which surrounds the nucleus pulposus (pulpy center).

Joint

An articulation between two or more bones, which typically allows for motion of the connected bones.

Kyphosis

Kyphotic curvature of the spine: the excessive abnormal curve of the thoracic spine. The convex curve in the back where the shoulders push forward while the mid back pushes too far backward; hunchback.

Ligament

A connecting tissue that connects bones, cartilage, or organs. A band of fibrous tissue, acting as a support and which also strengthens a joint and additional ligament(s).

Lordosis

Lordotic curvature of the spine: the normal and also the excessive abnormal forward curve of the lumbar or lower back and cervical spine (neck). The normal curvature for the lower back or the neck is called lordosis or expressly called normal lordosis. Excessive abnormal lower back curvature is called hyperlordosis, sway back, hollow back or saddle back.

Lumbago

Pain in the lumbar (lower back) region.

Lumbar Spine

The 5 but sometimes 6 spinal vertebrae and surrounding structures in the lower back. This portion of the spinal column pertains to the lower back between the thorax and the pelvis.

Magnetic Resonance Image

An image similar to a x-ray but produced without the radiation emitted by a x-ray beam. MRI's utilize a magnetic field to align hydrogen ions in the body and then feed this scanned information into a computer, which generates an image. MRI's are superior to x-rays in that soft (muscle, tendons, ligaments, fat, etc. can be visualized as well as the typical bony hard tissue seen in standard x-rays.

Massage

The systematic therapeutic slow to rapid rhythmic friction, stroking, compression, pressure, percussion, kneading, traction and/or vibration of the body applied manually or mechanically to reinstate or improve circulation to oxygenate the tissues, improve the lymphatic cleansing of cellular debris, waste products and post-trauma infiltrates (substances in excess amounts or foreign to the tissue.) Also, reduce inflammation, improve muscle elasticity and flexibility, increase joint range of motion, increase intestinal motility, and aid in a variety of bodily functions.

Migraine Headaches

An often familial symptom complex of periodic attacks of vascular headache, usually temporal and unilateral in onset, commonly associated with irritability, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, and often photophobia; attacks are preceded by constriction of the cranial arteries, usually with resultant prodromal (premonitory; indicating the onset of a state of disease) sensory (especially ocular) symptoms, and commence with the vasodilatation that follows. Visual disturbances vary in gradual to abrupt onset. Pain in one side of the head. Condition marked by recurrent severe headache often with nausea and vomiting.

Muscles

An organ, which by contraction produces the movements of an animal organism. Muscles are of two varieties: striated, or striped including all the muscles in which contraction is voluntary and the heart muscle; unstriated, nonstriated, smooth, or organic, including all the involuntary muscles except the heart, such as the muscular layer of the intestines, bladder, blood vessels, etc. Striated muscles are covered with a thin layer of connective tissue (epimysium) from which septa (perimysium) pass, dividing the muscle into bundles of fibers, or fasciculi. Each fasciculus contains a number of parallel fibers separated by connective tissue septa (endomysium). Each fiber consists of sarcoplasm, which is cross-striated or composed of alternate light and dark portions (whence the name striated muscle); each contains embedded in it the myofibrils and each is surrounded by sarcolemma. Smooth muscles are composed of elongated, spindle-shaped, nucleated cells arranged parallel to one another and to the long axis of the muscle, and these cells are often grouped into bundles of varying size. The muscles, bundles, and cells are enclosed in an indifferent connective tissue material much as is found in striated muscles. A body tissue consisting of long cells that contract when stimulated and produce motion. An organ that is essentially a mass of muscle tissue attached at either end to a fixed point and that by contracting moves or checks the movement of a body part.

Musculoskeletal

Pertaining to or comprising the skeleton and the muscles, as musculoskeletal system. All the skeletal bones and muscles of the body considered collectively. Of, relating to, or involving both the musculature and skeleton.

Muscle Spindle Fibers

A mechanoreceptor found between skeletal muscle fibers; the muscle spindles are arranged in parallel with muscle fibers, and respond to passive stretch of the muscles but cease to discharge if the muscle contracts isotonically, thus signaling muscle length. The muscle spindle is the receptor responsible for the stretch or myotatic reflex. A sensory end organ in a muscle that is sensitive to stretch in the muscle, consists of small striated muscle fibers richly supplied with nerve fibers, and is enclosed in a connective tissue sheath; called also stretch receptor.

Nerve

A cordlike structure, visible to the naked eye, comprising a collection of nerve fibers, which convey impulses between a part of the central nervous system and some other region of the body. A nerve consists of a connective tissue sheath (epineurium) enclosing bundles (funiculi or fasciculi) of nerve fibers, each bundle being surrounded by its own sheath of connective tissue (perineurium), the inner surface of which if formed by a membrane of flattened mesothelial cells. Very small nerves may consist of only one funiculus derived from the parent nerve. Within each such bundle, the individual nerve fibers, which are microscopic in size, are surrounded by interstitial connective tissue (endoneurium). An individual nerve fiber (an axon with its covering sheath) consists of formed elements in a matrix of protoplasm (axoplasm), the entire structure being enclosed in a thin membrane (axolemma). Each nerve fiber is enclosed by a cellular sheath (neurilemma), from which it may or may not be separated by a lipid layer (myelin sheath) derived from neurilemmal cells.

Nerve stimulation

Serves to transmit impulses (progressive physiochemical change in the membrane of a nerve fiber that follows stimulation and serves to transmit a record of sensation from a receptor or an instruction to act to an effector) of the afferent nerves from the periphery toward the central nervous system as sensory nerves or of the efferent nerves from the central nervous system toward the periphery as motor nerves. Nerves carry impulses that promote processes, function and motion of the body. Any of the filamentous bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with the other organs, conduct nervous impulses, and are made up on axons and dendrites together with protective and supportive structures. The nervous system: the bodily system that in vertebrates is made up of the brain and spinal cord, nerves, ganglia, and parts of the receptor organs and that receives and interprets stimuli and transmits impulses to the effector organs.

Nerve Impingement

To strike or dash esp. with a sharp collision. To cause to strike. To have an effect: make an impression. Encroach (To enter by gradual steps or by stealth into the possession or rights of another to advance beyond the usual or proper limits.

Neuromuscular Re-education

Pertaining to muscles and nerves. The training of a disabled person (or person with a disabling disorder) in the endeavor to restore his lost competence. Of or relating to nerves and muscles; especially jointly involving nervous and muscular elements <a neuromuscular junction>. To train again, especially to rehabilitate through education. (Education: the action or process of education or of being educated, a stage for such process or the knowledge and development resulting from an educational process.)

Neuromuscular Stimulation

The act or process of stimulating; (to excite to functional activity by a stimulus [stimulus: any agent, act, or influence that produces functional or trophic {trophic: of or pertaining to nutrition} reaction in a receptor or in an irritable tissue.] ); the condition of being stimulated. Stimulator: any agent that excites functional activity. Electronic stimulator: a device for applying electronic pulses or signals to activate muscles, to identify nerves, to treat muscular disorders, etc. Electric stimulus: a galvanic, induced, or other electric current or shock as applied to a responsive tissue. Mechanical stimulus: a stimulant application of mechanical force, as in friction or pinching. Thermal stimulus: application of heat. To excite to activity or growth or to greater activity.

Nutritional Counseling

Information and advice given as therapy regarding the taking in and processing of nutriments (nutritious foods), assimilation, utilization, and supplementation to balance nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals and vitamins), and improve digestion, absorption, and healing toward good health and vitality.

Occiput

The back part of the cranium or head just above the neck.

Osseous

Of the nature or quality of bone. Consisting of bone, resembling bone.

Percussion Massage

The act of striking a part with short, sharp blows as an aid in (therapeutic massage) Percussion by striking the body by the four fingers one after the other, beginning with the little finger. Percussion which starts from above (or one point) and progresses downward (or to another point), thus covering a "strip" of the chest wall (or affected body part needing therapy)

Tapotement: A tapping or percussion movement in massage.

Percussor

An instrument for use in performing percussion (manually ---repetitive quick striking movements to the affected body area needing therapy typically done with the little finger side of the hand.

Peripheral Nervous System

PNS: That portion of the nervous system consisting of the cranial nerves, nerves and ganglia throughout the body excluding the brain, optic nerve, spinal cord, spinal nerves, autonomic nervous system and central nervous system. These portions of the body, which house the cranial nerves, PNS nerves and ganglia, respond to stimulus and cognitive thought.

Physical Therapy

The treatment of disease by physical agent and methods to assist in rehabilitation and restoration of normal bodily function after illness or injury, including the use of massage and manipulation, therapeutic exercises, hydrotherapy and various forms of energy (electrotherapy, actinotherapy, and ultrasound); physiotherapy. A physical aspect or quality. Bodily functions and condition perceptible especially through the senses and subject to the laws of nature - use of weight, motion, resistance and material things. Of or relating to natural science or physics. Characterized or produced by the forces and operations of physics. Concerned or preoccupied with the body and its needs.

Physiotherapy

See Physical therapy.

Polarity Therapy

The fact or condition of having poles. The exhibition of opposite effects at the two extremities. The presence of an axial gradient and exhibition by a nerve of both anelectrotonus and catelectrotonus. The orientation of intracellular structures to the tissue as a whole. Dynamic polarity: the specialization of a nerve cell with reference to the flow of impulses. Polarization: the production of that condition in light by virtue of which its vibrations take place all in one plane or else in circles and ellipses the accumulation of bubbles of hydrogen gas on the negative plate of a galvanic battery, so that the generation of electricity is impeded. Circular polarization: that which causes the vibration in ellipses. Plane polarization: the production of polarization such that the light vibrations are all in one plane. Rotatory polarization: circular or elliptical polarization, as distinguished from plane polarization. The quality or condition inherent in a body that exhibits opposite properties or powers in opposite parts or directions or that exhibits contrasted properties or powers in contrasted parts or directions. Attraction toward a particular object or in a specific direction. The particular state either positive or negative with reference to the two poles or to electrification… diametrical opposition…an instance of such opposition. Polarization: the action of polarizing or state of being or becoming polarized as the action or process of affecting radiation and especially light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form… the state of radiation affected by this process… the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes of an electrolytic cell increasing the resistance and setting up a counter electromotive force… magnetization. Division into two opposites. Concentration about opposing extremes of groups or interest. Formerly ranged on a continuum. Polarize: to cause (as light waves) to vibrate in a definite pattern.

Postural Analysis

Pertaining to posture or position; the attitude of the body. Of relating to or involving posture. The position or bearing of the body whether characteristic or assumed for a special propose. The pose of the body's figure, state, or condition at a given time especially with respect to capability in particular circumstances. The study of the motor activity, skeletal and motor relationship used in posture systematic investigation of traits ascertaining the specifics, estimating, interpreting criteria developed that which a patient presents with as viewed by the posture. Intensive therapeutic study of the ways in which the body attempts to compensate by degrees due to muscular weakness or loss of function constituents of a disorder measurements of specific elements of biomechanical variants. Quantitative study by measuring degrees of magnitude and direction of deviation of normal posture.

Prolapsed Disc

The abnormal protrusion of intervertebral disc through an injury defect opening in the annulus fibrosus (fibrous ring) covering tissue causing rupture or prolapse of he nucleus pulposus (pulpy center) of the disc into the spinal canal impinging on nerve roots.

Radiculitis

Inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve, especially of that portion of the root, which lies between the spinal cord and the intervertebral canal. Of, relating to or involving a nerve root.

Radiographs

A film produced by radiography which is the making of film records of internal structures of the body by passage of x-rays or gamma rays through the body to act on specially sensitized film. A picture produced on a sensitive surface by a form of radiation other than light; specifically an x-ray or gamma ray photograph.

Radiology

The science of radiant energy (x-rays, etc.) and radiant (radioactive) substances, especially that branch of health sciences which deals with the use of radiant energy (x-rays, etc.) in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The science of radioactive substances and high energy radiation; also, the use of radiant energy (as x-rays and radium) in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Rehabilitation

The restoration of normal form and function after injury or illness. The restoration of an ill or injured patient to self-sufficiency or to gainful employment at his highest attainable skill in the shortest possible time. To restore to a former capacity; reinstate To restore to good repute, [health], reestablish, restore to a former state (as of efficiency) to restore or bring to a condition of health or useful and constructive activity.

Rehabilitation Exercise

Physical exertion for improvement of health or the correction of physical deformity [or dysfunction]. The act of bringing into play or realizing in action; use, regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ; bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness. Something performed or practiced in order to strengthen, train, develop, improve, or display a specific power, maneuver, performance, discipline, or skill.

Active Exercise: Motion imparted to a segment of the body by voluntary contraction and relaxation of he muscles controlling the part.

Active Assisted Exercise: Motion imparted to a part of the body by voluntary contraction of muscles controlling the part, assisted by a therapist or by some other means.

Active Resistive Exercise: Exercises performed voluntarily by the patient against resistance. Corrective exercises: The scientific use of bodily movement to maintain or restore normal function in disease or injured tissues.

Free Exercise: Active exercise in which no aid is derived from external forces.

Isometric Exercise: Active exercise performed against stable resistance, without change in the length of the muscle.

Isotonic Exercise: Active exercise without appreciable change in the force of muscular contraction, with shortening of the muscle.

Muscle-setting Exercise: Voluntary contraction and relaxation of skeletal muscles without movement of the associated part of the body; called also static exercise.

Passive Exercise: Motion imparted to a segment of the body by another individual, machine, or other outside force, or produced by voluntary effort of another segment of the patient's own body.

Therapeutic Exercises: Corrective exercise.

Underwater Exercise: Exercise performed in a pool, large tub, or Hubbard tank (large tank).

Rolfing

A method of systematically massaging the deep muscles that is intended to serve as both physical and emotional therapy. The therapeutic massage developed in 1972 by the American biochemist and physiotherapist Ida Rolf.

Sciatic Nerve

The nerve located near the ischium (low part of the pelvis). The largest nerve of the body originating in the sacral plexus from the 4th lumbar vertebrae to the 3 sacral segment. The nerve path is from the pelvis, through the greater sciatic foramen (opening), through the back of the thigh, and divides into the tibial and common peroneal nerves (nerves is the leg). Either of the pair of largest nerves in the body that arise one on each side from the nerve plexus supplying the posterior limb and pelvic region and that pass out of the pelvis and down the back of the thigh.

Sciatica

A syndrome characterized by pain radiating from the back into the buttock and into the lower extremity along its posterior or lateral aspect, and most commonly caused by prolapse of the intervertebral disc; the term is also used to refer to pain anywhere along the course of the sciatic nerve. Pain that runs along the path of a sciatic nerve. Sciatic pain may be felt in the lower back, buttocks, hips, backs of the thighs, or adjacent parts.

Scoliosis

A notable lateral deviation in the curvature of the spine from what is usually viewed as a straight vertical line of the spine. It is often due to muscular imbalance, improper posture, imbalance in leg lengths, inflammatory processes, vertebral disease, hip disease, muscle paralysis, rheumatism of back muscles, and/or a tilting away from the affected side of a bodily condition.

Sequestered Disc

The abnormal protrusion and further detachment of a small portion from the whole of an intervetebral disc through an injury defect opening in the annulus fibrosus (fibrous ring) covering tissue causing the nucleus pulposus (pulpy center) of the disc to impinge on nerve roots.

Shiatsu Massage

A massage with the fingers applied to those specific areas of the body used in acupuncture.

Slipped Disc

Soft Tissue

The total of tissues in the body excluding hard tissue. All tissue in the body is considered soft tissue if it is not bone and is not soft tissue, which has become ossified or hardened like bone.

Spinal Column

The axial skeleton of the trunk and tail of a vertebrate consisting of an articulated series of vertebrae and protecting the spinal cord; backbone.

Spinal Cord

That part of the central nervous system which is lodged in the vertebral canal; it extends from the foramen magnum, where it is continuous with the medulla oblongata, to the upper part of the lumbar region. It ends between the twelfth thoracic and third lumbar vertebrae, often at or adjacent to the disc between the first and second lumbar vertebrae. It is composed of an inner core of gray substance in which nerve cells predominate, and an outer layer of white substance in which myelinated nerve fibers predominate, and is enclosed in three protective membranes, or meninges: the dura mater, the arachnoid, and the pia mater. Thirty-one spinal nerves originate from the spinal cord: 8 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal. The spinal cord conducts impulses to and from the brain, and controls many automatic muscular activities (reflexes). The cord of nervous tissue that extends from the brain lengthwise along the back in the spinal canal, gives off the pairs of spinal nerves, carries impulses to and from the brain, and serves as a center for initiating and coordinating many reflex acts.

Spine

Something resembling a spinal column or constituting a central axis or chief support. The backbone.

Sports Massage

Massage, stimulation, circulation, stretching, and joint mobility for muscles and joints in preparation for athletic games, recreation, and activities where continued use of muscles, speed or agility is necessary.

Strapping

The application of long narrow strips of high tensile strength fabric or other flexible material with or without adhesive or a pressure-sensitive semi-sticky adhesive coating on one side, one strip overlapping the other, to cover and exert pressure upon an extremity or other area of the body. Strap: a band or slip, as of adhesive plaster, used in attaching parts to each other. To bind down tightly. To secure with or attach by means of a strap. To support (as a sprained joint) with overlapping strips of adhesive plaster… bind, constrict… binding …for clamping an object in position. Securing, holding together, or wrapping. Used for the application of dressings and sometimes to produce immobilization.

Strengthening Exercise

The performance of physical exertion for improvement of health or the correction of physical deformity [or dysfunction]. The act of bringing into play or realizing in action; use. Regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ; bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness. Something performed or practiced in order to strengthen, train, develop, improve, or display a specific power, maneuver, performance, discipline, or skill. See also: Rehabilitation Exercise

Underwater Exercise: Exercise performed in a pool, large tub, or Hubbard tank (large tank).

Stretches

To extend as one's limbs or body to a point of resistance.

Subluxation

Incomplete or partial dislocation. Partial dislocation (as of one of the bones in a joint)

Taping

The use of tape to splint or support weak or injured joints or to protect a normal joint from possible injury.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

Pertaining to the temporal bones and the mandible. Relating to, being, or affecting the joint between the temporal bone and the mandible.

Tendons

A fibrous cord by which a muscle is attached. A common tendon is a tendon that serves more than one muscle. Tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some other part and transmits the force which the muscle exerts.

Pulled Tendon: Disruption of the fibers attaching a muscle to its point of origin, occurring as the result of unusual muscular effort.

Tendonitis or Tendinitis: Inflammation of tendons and of tendon-muscle attachments. Calcific tendonitis: inflammation and calcification of the subacromial or subdeltoid bursa, resulting in pain, tenderness and limitation of motion in the shoulder. Called also calcific bursitis and scapulohumeral bursitis. Due to strain, wrenching, trauma, etc. causing all of the above and lameness, stenosing around tendon, ossification, etc.

Therapy

The treatment of disease and the science and art of healing; treatment of the body or mind with a remedy proven to be helpful. Treatment may be physically or verbally performed and be administered externally or internally.

Thoracic Spine

The 12 vertebrae and surrounding structures in the mid-back. This portion of the spinal column pertains to the 12 vertebrae that are in conjunction with the 12 ribs and is between the neck and the lower back.

Thoracolumbar

Pertaining to the area of the twelfth thoracic (mid back) vertebrae and the first lumbar (lower back) vertebrae.

Torticollis

Wryneck: a contracted (and shortened) state of the cervical muscles, producing twisting of the neck and an unnatural position of the head producing deviation of the head. A more-or-less fixed twisting of the neck resulting in an abnormal carriage of the head also called Wryneck. (Wry: twist, writhe, to pull out of or as if out of proper shape: make awry.)

Traction

The act of drawing or exerting a pulling force, as along the long axis of a structure. Traction by an elastic force or by means of an elastic appliance. Pelvic traction: traction applied to the spine by means of two metal hoops, one (the halo) applied to the skull and the other to the pelvis, connected by four extension rods which can be lengthened by turn screws. Traction for the spine or joint by means of a cuff or belt apparatus applied just below the joint or at the waist and hips. Sometimes another cuff, belt or apparatus is applied just above the area of the body to traction.

Ultrasound

Mechanical radiant energy with a frequency greater than 20,000 cycles per second. That part of science of acoustics dealing with the frequency range beyond the upper limit of perception by the human ear (beyond 20 kilocycles per second), but usually restricted to frequencies above 500 kilocycles per second. Ultrasonic radiation is injurious to tissues because of its thermal effects when absorbed by living matter, but in controlled doses it is used therapeutically to selectively break down pathologic tissues, as in treatment of arthritis and lesions of the nervous system.

Vibratory Massage

A form of therapeutic massage application done with high-speed oscillation produced by an oscillating vibrating machine, which delivers rapidly repeated light percussion and or rubbing movement to the body.

Whiplash

Acute cervical strain and sprain resulting from injury to the neck and head from a whipping sudden sharp acceleration extension movement of the cervical spine. This is often caused by a vehicular accident where the injured party's vehicle is struck head-on or from the rear.