Words and Terms to Remember

Words and Terms to Remember

Active movement: Normal range of voluntary movement of a joint.

Acupoints: Acupuncture points throughout the body which correspond to specific organs.

Acupressure: A healing art based on the fundamentals of Chinese medicine in which finger pressure is applied to specific sensitive points on the body.

Acupuncture: A technique used in Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of small needles under the skin to activate the flow of energy within the body.

Aerobic exercise: Physical exercise that relies on oxygen for energy production.

Alexander technique: A technique concerned with improving posture to reduce or prevent arthritis.

Allopathy: Term for standard Western medicine; from the Greek allos (different) and pathein (disease, suffering) and thus implying the use of drugs whose effects are different from those of the disease being treated.

Anaerobic exercise: Exercise that draws upon the muscles' own stores of energy and does not require oxygen, such as weight- lifting and isometric exercises.

Analgesic: A drug that relieves pain, including aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), Darvon, and codeine.

Ankylosing spondylitis: Disease characterized by lower back pain that spreads to the hips, knees, and heels; may be accompanied by fever, loss of appetite, and heart and lung problems; may cause spinal bones to fuse, causing the back to become rigid.

Antibodies: Protein substances produced by immune system cells that interact with and destroy cells or microbes perceived to be foreign to the body.

Antigens: Substances foreign or perceived to be foreign in the body; result in the production of antibodies.

Anti-inflammatory: Drugs designed to reduce swelling, inflammation, and pain. Some common antiinflammatory drugs include Feldene (piroxicam), Motrin (ibuprofen), and Voltaren (diclofenac sodium).

Arthritis: Inflammation and irritation of the joints; Greek for "swollen joint"; involves inflammation and/or pain of a joint or joints; may result in changes in the afflicted body part.

Arthroplasty: A surgical procedure involving joint reconstruction using the patient's own tissues as well as artificial joint components.

Arthroscopy: Examination of the inside of a joint through a slender, fiber optic instrument inserted through a small incision.

Articulation: The place of union, or junction, between two bones.

Autoimmune disease: Disease in which the immune system produces antibodies against the body's own cells, destroying healthy tissue.

Autonomic nervous system: The part of the nervous system responsible for bodily functions such as the heartbeat, blood pressure, and digestion. It is divided into two divisions, the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

Biofeedback: A behavior modification therapy in which people are taught to control bodily functions such as blood pressure through conscious effort.

Bursa: A fluid-filled sac that forms a buffer between bones and tendons or ligaments; it is lined with a membrane that releases fluid and permits muscles, tendons, and bones to slide over each other.

Carbohydrates: Organic compounds of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which include starches, cellulose, and sugars, and are an important source of energy. All carbohydrates are eventually broken down in the body to glucose, a simple sugar.

Cartilage: Rubbery material found at the end of each bone that absorbs shock and allows bones to move smoothly.

Central nervous system: The brain and the spinal cord, which are responsible for the integration of all neurological functions.

Channels: Also called meridians; in traditional Chinese medicine, the invisible pathways of life energy on the surface of and within the body.

Chinese medicine: A philosophy and methodology of health and medicine developed in ancient China.

Collagen: White, fibrous protein providing the framework for skin, tendons, bones, cartilage, and all other connective tissue.

Connective tissue: Highly vascular tissue that forms the supporting and connecting structure of the body; fascia is an example of connective tissue.

Contracture: A joint deformity caused by loss of joint movement and shortening of surrounding tissues.

Corticosteriods: Hormones produced in the cortex of the adrenal glands; drug versions of these hormones are used to treat inflammation.

CT scan: A computerized tomogram (x-ray image), reconstituted by a computer to depict bone and soft tissues in several planes.

Deficient condition: In traditional Chinese medicine, a disorder resulting from the body's inability to maintain equilibrium.

Detoxification: In Ayurveda, the process of removing toxins from the body.

Doshas: In Ayurvedic medicine, the three basic body types that determine an individual's constitution.

Endorphins: Natural substances produced by the body that function as natural painkillers.

Epinephrine: Also called adrenaline. A hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that increases the heart rate and constricts blood vessels.

Essential oil: Concentrated, pure aromatic essence extracted from plants.

Excess condition: In traditional Chinese medicine, a condition in which life energy (qi), blood, or body fluid is disordered and accumulates in channels or elsewhere in the body.

Extension: The range of motion of a joint.

Fascia: A sheet or band of connective tissue that separates various muscles and organs within the body.

Fibrositis: A disease involving pain in muscles or joints with no clinical signs of inflammation; also known as fibromyalgia.

Fight-or-flight response: The body's response to perceived danger or stress, involving the release of hormones and subsequent rise in heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension.

Five Phases theory: In Chinese medicine, a way of looking at the body and the universe that explains the interaction between them.

Fracture: An injury to a bone in which the tissue of the bone is broken.

Gluteus: Muscle of the buttocks.

Gout: An acute form of arthritis beginning in the joints of the knee or foot and related to an excess of uric acid in the blood.

Hamstring: The large muscle located at the back of the thigh.

Heberden's nodes: Bony growths in the finger joints that are a sign of osteoarthritis.

Holistic: Pertaining to the whole body; treatment of disease by taking into consideration every part of the body to bring the internal environment into balance.

Homeopathic remedy: A remedy that produces a reaction in a person similar to the symptoms beting treated.

Inflammation: A reaction to injury or infection resulting in redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function in the affected area.

Isometric exercise: Exercise in which pressure is exerted against an immovable object, thus building muscle while keeping joints stationary.

Jinglo: Chinese term for channels or meridians, the network of invisible pathways of life energy (qi) in the body.

Joint: The structure created where two bones come together.

Joint capsule: Fibrous capsule encasing joint contents, including the ends of bones and cartilage; also called the synovial sac.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: Term used to describe several types of arthritis that can occur in childhood.

Kapha: An Ayurvedic body type.

Law of Similars: The principle that "like shall be cured by like" that forms the basis of homeopathy; the proper remedy for a patient's disease is that substance that is capable of producing, in a healthy person, symptoms similar to those from which the patient suffers.

Ligament: A strong, elastic band that holds a joint together, and that in the spine keeps vertebrae in place by supporting and strengthening discs and vertebral joints.

Limbic system: A group of brain structures that influences the endocrine and autonomic motor systems.

Lupus: Also called systemic lupus erythematosus; autoimmune disease that can affect any organ or system in the body.

Lyme disease: An infectious disease contracted from a bite from a tick carrying Borrelia burgdorferi, a spirochete.

Manipulation: Technique used in chiropractic therapy to adjust the spine, joints, and other tissue.

Meridian: In traditional Chinese medicine, one of the fourteen channels in the body through which the energy known as qi runs.

Mobilization: A technique of chiropractic therapy that gently increases the range of movement of a joint.

Moxa: Dried mugwort leaves used in traditional Chinese medicine, placed on the end of needles then lighted and held near an acupuncture point to warm and tonify life energy (qi).

Muscles: Elastic tissues that support the joint and allow the body to move.

Muscle spasms: Involuntarily contracted, painful muscles.

Musculoskeletal system: The muscles and bones considered as a whole.

Myelogram: A radiologic test in which the spinal cord, nerves roots, and surrounding space can be visualized.

Neurological deficit: Loss of reflexes and/or normal motor strength.

Neurotransmitters: Substances that transmit messages to, from, and within the brain and other body tissues.

Nicotine: The addictive chemical substance derived from tobacco that affects blood pressure and brain activity.

Norepinephrine: A hormone secreted by the adrenal gland as a reaction to the "fight-or-flight response" that raises blood pressure and acts to stimulate muscle contraction.

Obesity: The condition in which excess fat has accumulated in the body; usually considered to be 20 percent above the recommended weight for height and age.

Orthopedic surgeon: A physician who specializes in surgery of the muscles, bones, joints, and related structures.

Osteoarthritis: A form of arthritis in which normally spongy cartilage cracks and flakes; the most common form of arthritis, presumed to be caused by wear and tear (and possible misuse) of a joint over time.

Osteopathy: A branch of Western medicine that focuses primarily on the manipulation of the musculoskeletal system while taking a holistic approach to health.

Osteoporosis: A condition in which the bones of the body lose minerals and thus become weak and porous.

Palpation: Physical examination of the body using hands to feel for abnormalities.

Parasympathetic nervous system: The division of the nervous system that, when stimulated, slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and slows breathing.

Pelvic tilt: The body position in which the abdominal muscles are contracted and the buttocks tucked down and under the spine.

Pitta: An Ayurvedic body type.

Potency: The dilution of homeopathic remedies to increase their effectiveness, thus giving them their therapeutic value.

Qi: In traditional Chinese medicine, the life force or energy of the body and the universe, which circulates through the body's channels.

Qi stagnation: Any blockage of energy in the body that interrupts the body's natural functions or the healing process.

Quadriceps: The muscles located in the front of the thighs.

Range of motion: Normal range of movement for each joint, used to measure severity of arthritis; a term used to describe certain exercises.

Reiter's syndrome: Inflammation of joints following severe intestinal or urinary tract infections, although may occur with no evidence of infection.

Rheumatism: General term for a condition characterized by inflammation and pain in muscles and joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis: Autoimmune disease in which the joint is damaged and the synovial membrane thickens. May also affect the heart, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles.

Rheumatoid factor: Antibody found in large quantities in those with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatologist: Physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating joint problems, arthritis.

Risk factor: A condition or behavior that increases one's likelihood of developing a disease or injury.

Rolfing: A massage technique that focuses on realigning the fascia—the connective tissue that envelops the muscles and organs. The goal of Rolfing is structural integrity, or making sure that all of the organs, bones, and tissues are properly positioned within the body.

Shen: In traditional Chinese medicine, the "spirit" or consciousness, which both originates and forms the outward expression of human life.

Shiatsu: A massage technique developed in Japan and based on the Chinese medical theory that disease and pain are caused by blocked qi (energy) along energy pathways in the body. By applying pressure to the blocked meridian, relief from pain and disease may result.

Stress: Any factor, physical or emotional, that threatens the health of the body or otherwise requires a response or change.

Subluxation: In chiropractic, a term used to explain a misalignment of spinal vertebrae.

Succussion: The forceful shaking of liquid homeopathic remedies that allows the permeation of the original substance into the liquid medium.

Sympathetic nervous system: The division of the autonomic nervous system responsible for such actions as blood pressure, salivation, and digestion; works in balance with the parasympathetic nervous system.

Symptoms: Observable or internal changes in the mental, emotional, and physical condition of a person; in holistic medicine, symptoms are the external proof of an internal imbalance.

Synovial fluid: Clear, viscous fluid produced by the synovial membrane which acts as a joint lubricant.

Tao: The course of nature and ways of nature; a Chinese term denoting the universe as an undifferentiated whole.

Tendon: The connective fibers attaching the muscles to bones; when a muscle contracts, or shortens, it pulls on the tendon, which moves the bone.

Tendonitis: Inflammation of a tendon.

Tincture: An alcoholic solution of a medicinal substance.

Tonify: In Chinese medicine, to nourish, augment, and invigorate; to add to the supply of life energy (qi) and to promote the proper functioning and balance in the body.

Toxin: Substance that is harmful or poisonous to the body.

Trapezius: Muscle of the upper back.

Trigger points: Certain places on muscles that appear exceptionally tender to touch.

Vata: An Ayurvedic body type.

Vital force: In homeopathy, the intangible energy that animates all living creatures and mediates their physical, emotional, and intellectual responses to external stress.

Yang organs: In Chinese medicine, the yang organs are hollow or surface organs such as the large intestines, stomach, and gallbladder.

Yin organs: In Chinese medicine, the yin organs are dense, internal organs such as the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, and bones.

Yin/Yang: Chinese concept that describes all existence in terms of states or conditions that are different but mutually dependent; traditional Chinese medicine aims to restore balance to these contrasting aspects of the body and mind.