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Acute
A measure of the time scales of a disease and is in contrast to “sub-acute” and “chronic.”
Active
Exercise
An exercise performed without the help of others. Jogging, for example, is an active exercise.
Adjustment
A form of manipulation where the application of force is of a high velocity and low amplitude thrust; this type of manipulation can be likened to quickly pulling an apple off a branch to obtain the specific apple, as opposed to pulling the apple slowly and obtaining multiple apples.
Articulation
A fixed or movable joint between bones
Arthritis
A general term referring to a condition of the joints, it literally refers to an inflammation of the joints. Amongst the many forms of arthritis that may afflict people as they age, is the common one called Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis.
Atlas
The first vertebra of the neck that articulates immediately with the skull, thus sustaining the globe of the head; hence the name “Atlas”.
Biomechanics
The term that refers to how your body works as a unit that involves the relationship of the muscles, joints and bones.
Brain
This is the portion of the Central Nervous system where higher mental and body functions occur. It is protected by the skull at the top of the head, and makes a smooth transition into the spinal cord at its base.
Cervical
Vertebrae
The cervical (neck) vertebrae are the upper 7 vertebrae in the spinal column (the vertebral column). They are designated C1 through C7 from the top down.
Coccyx
The small tail-like bone at the bottom of the spine, the coccyx is made up of 3-5 rudimentary vertebrae. It is the lowest part of the spinal column.
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Degeneration
A wear and tear phenomenon; when the joints of the body wear out, it is referred to as osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease.
Extension
The process of straightening or the state of being straight.
Flexion
The process of bending or the state of
being bent. Flexion of the fingers results
in a clenched fist.
Health
A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
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Herniation
Condition of the intervertebral disc, whereby some of the material which makes up the disc shifts to a position which irritates the nearby nerve for that spinal area.
Intervertebral
Disc
This is the soft tissue found between the bones of the spinal column, (the vertebrae). They help cushion the spine from everyday stress (running, walking, jumping, etc.). Through improper posture (for instance, bending forward at the waist and twisting), discs can wear out (degenerate). This can lead to the condition commonly known as a "slipped disc" or a disc herniation.
Isometric
Exercise
Exercise involving muscular contractions without movement of the involved parts of the body.
Joint
A joint is the area where two bones are attached for the purpose of motion of body parts. A joint is usually formed of fibrous connective tissue and cartilage. An articulation or arthritis is the same as a joint.
Joint
Dysfunction
A condition where the joints of a particular area are not moving properly. Any sort of physical trauma, initiated chemical or mental causes may bring about this condition.
Kyphosis
Outward curvature of the spine, causing a humped back. Treatment is by physical therapy and wearing a back brace, and in some cases by surgery. Surgery may include inserting a metal rod in the spine and restructuring some bones, and is usually followed by wearing a back cast and then a back brace for some time.
Ligament
A ligament is a tough band of connective tissues that connects various structures such as two bones.
Lumbar
Vertebrae
There are 5 lumbar vertebrae. The lumbar vertebrae are situated between the thoracic vertebrae and the sacral vertebrae in the spinal column.
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Manipulation
This is a form of manual therapy where an application of forces to structures such as muscles, joints and bones is presented, wherein the goal is not only the elimination of pain but also the restoration of normal joint motion and functionality of the body.
Manual
Therapy
To work with one's hands.
Massage
This is the application, usually by hand, of systematic stroking or manipulation to the soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purposes, i.e., to alleviate pain and discomfort. The most well known massage movements are those that involve stroking and gliding (effleurage), kneading (petrissage), and percussion (tapotement) to soft tissues of the body.
Misalignment
Irregular aligned joints in your body. See also subluxation.
Muscle
Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. There are three types of muscles in the body. The muscle which is responsible for moving extremities and external areas of the body is called the "skeletal muscle." The heart muscle is called the "cardiac muscle." The muscle that is in the walls of arteries and bowel is called the "smooth muscle."
Nervous System
The telephone communication center of the body, all information from outside the body and from inside the body must pass through this system. The two parts of the nervous system include the Central and Peripheral Nervous systems
Nerves
The extensions which branch off the brain and spinal cord and carry information to all parts of the body
Osteoarthritis
Also known as degenerative joint disease,
it is a form of arthritis in which a wear
and tear phenomenon occurs at the joint.
It is a common form of arthritis, especially
in older people.
Pronation
Inward rotation of the arm or leg. In the
case of the arm, the palm of the hand will
face fixed postural correction.
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Range-of-Motion
This is a description for the amount of movement which occurs at a particular joint or region of the body, such as the lumbar spine. In the spinal column, there are six (6) different movements which may occur. These include flexion (bending forward), extension (bending backward), rotation (twisting right and left) and lateral flexion (bending to each side, right and left).
Sacral
Vertebrae
There are 5 sacral vertebral bones. They are represented by the symbols S1 through S5 and are situated between the lumbar vertebrae and the coccyx (the lowest segment of the vertebral column). The sacral vertebrae are normally fused to form the sacrum.
Sacrum
The large, heavy bone at the base of the spine, which is made up of fused sacral vertebrae, the sacrum is located in the vertebral column, between the lumbar vertebrae and the coccyx. It is roughly triangular in shape and makes up the back wall of the pelvis. The female sacrum is wider and less curved than the male.
Spasm
A brief, automatic jerking movement, a muscle spasm can be quite painful, with the muscle clenching tightly.
Spinal
Column
Forming the bones of the back, the spinal
column protects the spinal cord and allows
for movement of the body in various ranges
of motion. There are 24, movable bones (also
known as vertebrae), plus a sacrum and a
coccyx at the bottom of this column which
is surrounded by the bony pelvis.
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Spinal
Cord
It is the extension of the brain. Coming off of the spinal cord are 31 pairs of spinal nerves which communicate with the body as a whole. The spinal cord is protected by the Spinal Column.
Spondylolysis
A degeneration of the intervertebral disc.
Strain
An injury to a tendon or muscle resulting from overuse or trauma.
Subluxation
Partial dislocation of a joint. A complete dislocation is a luxation.
Supination
Outward rotation of the arm or leg. In the case of the arm, the palm of the hand will face forward.
Symptom
The feeling, perceived by a patient that something is not right.
Tendon
The tissue by which a muscle attaches itself to the bone. A tendon is somewhat flexible, but fibrous and tough.
Thoracic
In relation to the spinal column, this refers to the region of the back between the neck and the pelvis.
Vertebrae
A vertebra is one of 33 bony segments that form the spinal column of humans. There are 7 cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral (fused into one sacrum bone) and 4 coccygeal (fused into one coccyx bone).
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