Glossary

Acupressure: Derived from acupuncture; physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points by the hand, elbow, or with various devices.

Acupuncture points: Chinese-based acupuncture theories predate scientific methods of medicine by several hundred years. There are several hundred acupuncture points that are distributed along meridians (connected points across the body which affect a specific organ or other part of a person) as well as numerous other "extra points" that are not associated with a particular meridian.

ATP: (Adenosine triphosphate): a cell used to store and transfer energy.

Bruxism: teeth grinding.

Bursa: a pouch, sac, or vesicle, esp. a sac containing synovia, to facilitate motion, as between a tendon and a bone.

Bursitis: inflammation of a bursa.

Chiropractor: Chiropractic is a health care discipline and profession that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine, under the hypothesis that these disorders affect general health via the nervous system. Although chiropractors have many attributes of primary care providers, chiropractic has more of the attributes of a medical specialty like dentistry or podiatry. The main chiropractic treatment technique involves manual therapy, including manipulation of the spine, other joints, and soft tissues; treatment also includes exercises and health and lifestyle counseling. Traditional chiropractic assumes that a vertebral subluxation or spinal joint dysfunction interferes with the body's function and its innate intelligence. To learn more, read about Chiropractic.

Electro Acuscope: a noninvasive pain management output device used in the treatment of trigger points; it introduces a gentle current in waveforms similar to the body's own currents increasing the electrical activity of the affected tissue. It uses electrical current to help supply the inside of the cell with raw materials (amino acids and calcium) for synthesizing necessary proteins, and to encourage the formation of ATP in order to provide the "power" for protein synthesis. One can then accelerate cellular repair.

Electro myopulse therapy: Used as an output device to treats nerves, muscle, fascia, and all soft tissue, it introduces a gentle electrical current in waveforms similar to the body's own currents increasing the electrical activity of the affected tissue. Like a self-guided missile, the micro current targets damaged cells and assists them in self-correcting their electrical signal.

Enzymes: any of numerous proteins or conjugated proteins produced by living organisms and functioning as biochemical catalysts.

Fascia: a web of connective tissue that connects muscles, organs, and skeletal structures; it's located between the skin and the underlying structure of muscle and bone.

Flouri-Methane: a vapocoolant spray that is used to aid in muscle stretching.

Greater Trochanter: A part of the femur bone below the head; it's the origin and insertion of several muscles.

Iliotibial band: a thick fibrous band of tissue, (or a layer of the fascia) that runs on the outside of the leg from the hip to the knee. The gluteus maximus (largest muscle in the buttocks) and the thigh muscle insert upon the tract.

Integument: a natural covering, as a skin, shell, or rind.

Intrinsic joint derangement: organic disruption of the joint.

Lateral epicondyle: site of "Tennis elbow," a bony protrusion on the humerus and the attachment sight of many tendons.

Levator scapula: muscle located at the back and side of the neck.

Morton's toe: a variation in the structure of the human foot that is present in roughly 25% of the population, is a disorder in which the second toe (metatarsal) is longer than the big toe.

Myofascial pain dysfunction: Myo (muscle) Facial (fascia) pain and dysfunction.

Neuromas: a tumor formed of nerve tissue.

Nodules: a small mass of tissue or aggregation of cells.

Orthotics: custom anatomic shoe inserts crafted by your physician which provide support to hold your feet in their neutral position, helping you function better for an active lifestyle. Contact us about our custom orthotics.

Pinched nerve: term for a nerve that is under pressure.

Physical Therapy: Physical therapists work with a wide variety of patients in a multitude of settings. The pathway to becoming a physical therapist is often challenging, but the outcome is well worth the work. Learn more about working in the exciting, fulfilling field of physical therapy. To learn more about Physical Therapy and other related topics, read "Physical Therapy - A Comprehensive Guide of Physical Therapy"

Physiotherapy equipment: devices that help to develop, maintain, and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout the lifespan.

Pronation: the tendency of the ankle to roll toward the inside or outside of the foot.

Referred pain: pain perceived at a site adjacent to or at a distance from the site of the pain's origin.

Sub-maximal loading tissue: load on the tissue or muscle just slightly under the maximum that it can handle; this can cause micro trauma over time.

Tendonitis: inflammation of a tendon.

TMJ Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction: disorder commonly divided into myofascial pain dysfunction , which is primarily a muscular phenomenon and intrinsic joint derangement, which is a more organic disruption of the joint affecting between 4 and 28 percent of the population, with a distinct female predominance of approximately 4 to 1, and more commonly people in their 20s to 50s

Trigger points: hyperirritable spots or “knots” within the muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers, often caused by sports and other injuries as well as stress, inflammation, trauma, and/or poor posture.

Ultrasound: A deep tissue heating modality reaching underlying tissues as deep as 1 to 5 centimeters. It is used to treat musculo-skeletal injuries, back and joint conditions, limited range of motion, soft tissue injuries, and chronic conditions.

Vasoactive:of or pertaining to a drug, substance, or event that changes the diameter of a blood vessel.

Some definitions are paraphrased from Webster's and Wikipedia.

For more information, call and speak to one of our chiropractors, physio therapists, or acupuncturists:
220 South California Ave, Suite 100
Palo Alto, CA 94306
650-470-0008