Arthritis: inflammation of a joint or joints (2). See "Degenerative Joint Disease"

Ankylosis: Permanent fixation of a joint. This can be congential, surgically induced, the result of degeneration or the result of trauma.

Bursitis: Inflammation of a bursa; frequently in the shoulder (2)

Bone Scan: A technique to create images of bones on a computer screen or on film. A small amount of radioactive material is injected and travels through the bloodstream. It collects in the bones, especially in abnormal areas of the bones, and is detected by special instrument called a scanner. The image of the bones is recorded on a special film for permanent viewing.

Bone scans are used for the detection and monitoring of disorders affecting the bones, including Paget's disease, cancer, infections, and fractures. Bone scanning is also helpful in evaluating joint diseases. (3)

Capsulitis: see "Adhesive Capsulitis"

Cervical: see "Spine"

Cervical fixations: Cervical vertebra that are fixed in position, this finding is usually verified by special x-ray studies.

Carpal Tunnel: A passageway in the wrist through which nerves and the flexor muscles of the hands and fingers pass.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: a disorder caused by compression of a nerve in the carpal tunnel (where the nerve passes through the wrist); characterized by discomfort and weakness in the hand. (2)

Chiropractic: The science of locating and removing interference with the transmission or expression of nerve force in the human body, by the correction of misalignments or subluxations of the bony articulations and adjacent structures, more especially those of the vertebra column and pelvis, for the purpose of restoring and maintaining health. (MGL Section 89, Chapter 112)

Chiropractic Adjustment: the correction of misalignments or subluxations of the bony articulations and adjacent structures, more especially those of the vertebra column and pelvis, for the purpose of restoring and maintaining health. (MGL Section 89, Chapter 112)

Congenital: present at birth but not necessarily hereditary; acquired during fetal development. (2)

Cryotherapy: the application of cold packs to relieve pain, reduce soft tissue inflammation and swelling.

CT Scan: is the process of using digital processing to generate a three-dimensional image of the internals of an object from a large series of two-dimensional x-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation. (2)

CAT Scan: see "CT Scan"

Dermatome: A localized area of skin that is has its sensation via a single nerve from a single nerve root of the spinal cord. (3)

DTR: see "Deep Tendon Reflex"

Deep Tendon Reflex: is the response of a muscle to a sharp tap, it is tested to establish the integrity of certain nerves; it is an important test because the patient cannot fake the results. Examples are the knee jerk reflex and the ankle reflex.

Disc: a fibro-cartilaginous pad between vertebrae of the spinal column. The disc is composed of two parts; tough outer fibrous bands (the annulus fibrosis) and a gelatinous center (the nucleolus populous).

• If the annulus fibrosis cracks but does not completely break the disc can protrude and press on the spinal cord or on spinal nerves. This condition is some times called a disc bulge or a disc protrusion.
• If a complete break of the annulus occurs (rupture) some of the nucleolus populous can flow out (herniate) and press on the spinal cord or the nerves. This is called a disc herniation and is generally recognized as more serious than a disc protrusion.

Disc Protrusion: see "Disc"

Disc Bulge: see "Disc"

Disc Herniation: see "Disc"

Disc Degeneration: a deterioration of the spinal disc usually associated with Degenerative Joint Disease. See "Degenerative Joint Disease"

Disc Displacement: a term used to denote disc damage when it has not been determined if the disc is bulging, protruding or herniated.

DJD: see "Degenerative Joint Disease"

Degenerative Joint Disease: a form of arthritis that results in the destruction of the articular cartilage that line the joints. Seen predominately in the larger weight-bearing joints of the hips, knees and spine, but may also be evident in the small joints of the hands. (5)

EMS: Electric Muscle Stimulation

EMG: see "Electromyogram"

Electromyogram: a graphical record of electric currents associated with muscle contractions. (2)

Facet Syndrome: a jammed condition of joints in the low back, usually pinching one or more lumbar nerves.

Fixations: Fixation of a joint in a specific position, it may be reversible or irreversible. Chiropractic adjustments often reduce or correct joint fixations.

Frozen Shoulder: see "Adhesive Capsulitis"

Fusion Of Vertebra (congenital): Permanent fixation of spinal joints. See "Congenital"

Hyper-lordosis: an abnormal condition of the spine where the normal lordosis is exaggerated. See "Lordosis"

Hypo-lordosis: an abnormal condition of the spine where the normal lordosis is decreased. See "Lordosis"

Hemi-vertebra: A congenital condition in which one or more vertebra are missing parts. This predisposes a patient to injury and can complicate recovery.

Inter-vertebral Disc: see "Disc"

Kyphosis: A backward facing curve in the spine. A mild Kyphotic curve is normal for the thoracic area, when exaggerated it is called Kyphosis and represents a misalignment predisposing the patient to injury and complicating recovery. See "Spine"

• Kyphosis in the cervical or lumbar area it is a severe misalignment, predisposing the patient to injury and complicating recovery. See "Spine"

Lordosis: a forward facing curve in the spine, a mild lordosis is normal for the cervical and lumbar areas of the spine. An exaggerated curve is called hyper-lordosis. A curve that is lost or diminished is called hypo-lordosis. Hyper-lordosis an hypo-lordosis predispose a patient to injury and complicates recovery.

Lumbar: see "Spine"

Moist Heat: used to increase circulation and relieve pain in the injured tissue.

Myelopathy: Any disease affecting the spinal cord. (5)

Myalgia: pain in a muscle or group of muscles. (2)

Myositis: inflammation of muscle tissue. (2)

MRI: An MRI (or magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a radiology technique, which uses magnetism, radio waves, and a computer to produce images of body structures. (3)

Normal: A range or zone that represents healthy functioning and varies with age, gender and other factors, such as environmental conditions. (6)

Pelvic Obliquity: a misalignment of the pelvis, this diagnosis is usually verified by x-ray.

Post Laminectomy Syndrome: residual signs and symptoms after spinal surgery. See "syndrome"

Prognosis: a prediction of the course of a disease. (2)

Radiculitis: Inflammation of the root of a spinal nerve. (5)

Range-of-motion: The limit of motion of a joint. These ranges are usually compared to the normals listed in the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment. See "Normal"

ROM: See Range-of-motion

Slipped Disc: an inexact term for a disc injury, see Disc.

Spine: The spine is the vertebral column: there are 7 cervical (neck) vertebrae, 12 thoracic (upper back) vertebrae, 5 lumbar (lower back) vertebrae, the sacrum (located at the rear of the pelvis), and the coccyx (the tailbone). Viewed from the side there are three primary curves in the healthy spine: a forward facing curve (lordosis) in the lumbar area, a backward facing curve (Kyphosis) in the thoracic area and a forward facing curve (lordosis) in the cervical area. See "Lordosis" & "Kyphosis"

Spondylosis: Degeneration of the disc spaces between the vertebrae. This finding in the spine is commonly associated with osteoarthritis. (3)

Spondylolisthesis: a forward dislocation of one vertebra over the one beneath it producing pressure on spinal nerves. (2)

Spondylolysis: The breaking down (dissolution) of a portion of a bony building block of the spine (a vertebra). (3)

Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spaces in the spine [spinal canal], resulting in compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord by bony spurs or soft tissues, such as disks, in the spinal canal. This occurs most often in the lumbar spine (in the low back) but also occurs in the cervical spine (in the neck) and less often in the thoracic spine (in the upper back). (3)

Somatic Dysfunction:

Sciatica: Pain resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve, typically felt from the low back to behind the thigh and radiating down below the knee. (3)

Scoliosis: an abnormal lateral curve to the vertebral column. (2)

Spina Bifida Occulta: Literally, a hidden cleft in the spine. A bony defect in the vertebral column, which remains hidden, covered by skin. (5)

Syndrome: a pattern of symptoms indicative of some disease. (2)

Synovial joint: a joint so articulated as to move freely. (2)

Synovitis: inflammation of the synovial membrane that lines a synovial joint; results in pain and swelling. (2)

Subluxation: A fixation of a spinal joint causing nerve interference and a loss of health.

Thoracic: see "Spine"

Traction: traction is used to allow for separation of joint surfaces, to relive joint fixations, to relieve nerve tension and to improve alignment.

Transitional Lumbar Segment: A lumber vertebra that has some characteristics of the sacrum and some characteristics of a spinal vertebra. This congenital condition predisposes an individual to injury and may complicate recovery.

Torticollis: an unnatural condition in which the head leans to one side because the neck muscles on that side are contracted. (2)

TMJ (Temporo-mandibular Joint): The joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull. (5)

TMJ Syndrome: Disorder of the temporo-mandibular joint(s) causing pain usually in front of the ear(s). (5)

Tenosynovitis: inflammation of the sheath surrounding a tendon. (2)

Therapeutic Exercises: supervised in-office exercises to improve strength, range-of-motion and co-ordination.

Bibliography

1. Medline Plus Encyclopedia, www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html
2. One Look Dictionary Search, www.onelook.com
3. Medicine Net.com, www.medterms.com/script/main/art
4. The American Heritage^® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition.  2000, www.bartleby.com
5. The On line Medical Dictionary, cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/omd/
6. AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, fifth edition