Glossary of Chiropractic Care Terms

Back pain that lasts a short while, usually a few days to several weeks. Episodes lasting longer than three months are not considered acute.

Adjustment:

The specific application of forces used to facilitate the body’s correction of nerve interference.

Atlas:

Topmost vertebra of the neck and supports your head. Misalignment of the atlas can place stress on your neuromusculoskeletal system.

Axis:

Another name for the second cervical vertebra, which is located in your neck. This is an important joint that contributes significantly to your neck's range of motion.

"Big Idea":

The chiropractic concept that the body heals itself when interference to the proper functioning of the nervous system is removed.

Biomechanics:

The body's mechanics, such as how muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments work to produce movement.

Cavitation:

Pop that occurs in a spinal joint when vertebral surfaces (facets) are separated to create a vacuum that pulls in nitrogen gas.

Cervical spine

The area of your spine containing the seven vertebrae that compose the neck."

Chiropractic:

A primary health care profession in which professional responsibility and authority are focused on the anatomy of the spine and immediate articulation, and the condition of nerve interference. It is also a practice, which encompasses educating, advising about and addressing nerve interference. .

Chronic back pain:

Back pain episode that lasts more than three months.

Coccyx:

Commonly called the tailbone, the coccyx is composed of four separate but fused vertebrae that make up the bottom of your spine.

Cox flexion-distraction technique:

Method of applying manually controlled distraction or stretching to specific spinal segments with the assistance of a movable table.

D.C.:

Abbreviation for "doctor of chiropractic."

Diagnosis:

A comprehensive process of evaluation of the spinal column and its immediate articulation to determine the presence of nerve interference and other conditions that may contraindicate chiropractic procedures.

Dynamic thrust:

Chiropractic adjustment delivered suddenly and forcefully to move vertebrae, often resulting in a popping sound.

Flexion-distraction technique:

Useful method of stretching the spine in a face down position on a table that allows manually applied flexion and traction to be applied to specific spinal segments

Full-spine technique:

Method of adjusting or manipulating any of the vertebrae from the neck down.

Hydrotherapy:

The use of various types of water applications and temperatures for therapy.

Innate Intelligence:

The alleged inborn ability of the body to heal itself, which many chiropractors believe is enhanced by spinal adjustments.

Intervertebral disc:

The tough cartilage that serves as a cushion between two vertebrae. Each disc has a gelatinous-like center (nucleus pulposus) that may protrude to form a disc herniation.

Joint:

A meeting point of two or more bones in your body that functions like a door hinge. Joints, like hinges, sometimes get stuck, or subluxated.

Ligament:

Tissue that bonds bone to bone. Ligaments are strong and provide excellent support, which is especially important in joints like your ankle.

Listing:

Abbreviated description of the position or movement of a "subluxated" vertebra. Many techniques have their own listing system.

Locked spinal joint:

Sudden binding that occurs when two joint surfaces are shifted out of their normal alignment by an awkward movement that triggers muscle spasm. The result may also be called an "acute locked back."

Massage:

Is a profession in which the practioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client.