Plain definitions of 35 terms we use on the job in Brentwood.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
An adhesion is a band of fibrous scar tissue that connects tissues that normally move separately. Adhesions can form after injury, surgery, inflammation, or prolonged tissue irritation. In massage therapy, the term describes a possible source of restricted tissue glide, tenderness, or reduced movement, but hands-on assessment cannot confirm the underlying tissue change alone.
Also called: Scar adhesion
Anterior Pelvic Tilt is a forward rotation of the pelvis that increases the inward curve of the lower back. The front of the pelvis moves downward while the back rises. This position may reflect posture, muscle balance, movement habits, or structural factors, and it can appear during standing, walking, or other activities.
Also called: Forward pelvic tilt
Atlas is the uppermost cervical vertebra in the neck. The atlas supports the skull and forms a joint with the axis, the vertebra below it. Its ring-like shape helps the head move through nodding and limited rotation while protecting nearby spinal structures.
Also called: C1 vertebra, First cervical vertebra
Axial traction is a therapeutic pulling force applied along the length of the spine. The force aims to create controlled separation between spinal structures and reduce compressive loading during a supervised session. In spinal decompression therapy, a traction table applies the force to a selected region, such as the cervical or lumbar spine.
Also called: Spinal traction
Biomechanics is the study of how living bodies move and respond to force. It examines the interaction of bones, joints, muscles, and external loads during actions such as standing, walking, bending, or lifting. In postural care, biomechanics helps describe how alignment and movement patterns may place stress on specific areas.
Also called: Body mechanics
Cervical Radiculopathy is a neck-related nerve condition that occurs when a nerve root near the cervical spine becomes irritated or compressed. The condition may send pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Symptoms usually follow the affected nerve’s path.
Also called: Pinched nerve in the neck
Cervical Spine is the upper section of the spinal column that supports the head and connects the skull with the upper back. It contains neck vertebrae, discs, joints, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Together, these structures help the neck move, protect the spinal cord, and coordinate sensation and movement in the head, neck, and arms.
Also called: Neck vertebrae
A Chiropractic Subluxation is a chiropractic clinical concept describing altered joint motion, position, or function that may affect movement and related tissues. Chiropractors assess this concept through a history, physical examination, and movement findings. It differs from a medical joint dislocation, which describes a structural loss of normal joint contact.
Also called: Vertebral subluxation
Core Stability is the ability to control the trunk and pelvis while the body moves or holds a position. It depends on coordinated action from the abdominal, back, hip, and pelvic muscles. Good core stability helps transfer force between the upper and lower body during tasks such as lifting, walking, reaching, and changing direction.
Also called: Core strength
A disc bulge is a condition in which the outer layer of a spinal disc extends beyond its usual boundary. The disc material remains broadly contained, although the change can narrow nearby spaces or irritate spinal nerves. A disc bulge most often affects the lumbar or cervical spine and may appear during imaging.
Also called: Bulging disc
Disc Herniation is a condition in which the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes through a weakened or torn outer layer. The displaced material may irritate nearby nerves and contribute to back pain, leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Symptoms depend on the disc location and the amount of nerve involvement.
Also called: Herniated disc, Slipped disc
A facet joint is a small paired joint at the back of the spine that connects neighboring vertebrae and guides controlled movement. Each joint has smooth cartilage and a surrounding capsule. Facet joints help the spine bend, rotate, and extend while limiting excessive motion between adjacent spinal bones.
Also called: Zygapophyseal joint
Flexion-Distraction is a manual chiropractic technique that uses a specialized table to create controlled bending and gentle traction in the spine. The movement reduces compressive loading during treatment and helps a practitioner assess and address restricted spinal motion. Practitioners commonly apply the technique to the lumbar spine, although treatment depends on the person’s condition.
Also called: Cox technique
Forward Head Posture is a postural pattern in which the head rests ahead of the shoulders when viewed from the side. The position can increase demand on the muscles and joints of the neck and upper back. Prolonged screen use, seated work, and limited postural awareness may contribute to this pattern.
Also called: Text neck
Gait Analysis is a structured assessment of how you walk or run. It examines foot placement, stride pattern, joint motion, balance, and coordination during movement. A clinician may observe gait directly or use video to identify movement patterns that relate to posture, muscle control, joint mobility, or exercise planning.
Also called: Walking analysis
Joint Mobility is the available movement at a joint and the ease with which that joint moves through its usable range. Mobility depends on the joint surfaces, surrounding muscles, connective tissues, and nervous system. A mobility assessment considers movement quality, comfort, control, and side-to-side differences during active or guided motion.
Also called: Joint range of motion
Lumbar Radiculopathy is a condition involving irritation or compression of a nerve root in the lower spine. The irritation may produce pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels from the low back into the buttock or leg. Disc changes, narrowing around spinal nerves, and local inflammation can contribute to these symptoms.
Also called: Pinched nerve in the lower back
Lumbar Spine is the lower section of the vertebral column, located between the thoracic spine and the sacrum. The lumbar spine contains five large vertebrae that support much of the body's weight and allow bending, rotation, and controlled movement. Discs, joints, nerves, muscles, and ligaments work together in this region.
Also called: Lower back vertebrae
Muscle imbalance is a difference in strength, flexibility, endurance, or control between muscles that support the same joint or movement. The difference may affect posture, movement quality, and load distribution. It can involve opposing muscles, such as the front and back of the thigh, or muscles on opposite sides of the body.
Also called: Muscular imbalance
A Muscle Spasm is a sudden, involuntary tightening of muscle fibers that can cause pain, stiffness, or restricted movement. The contraction may affect a small area, such as the lower back, or involve a larger muscle group. Spasms can occur after strain, injury, prolonged posture, or irritation near the affected tissues.
Also called: Muscle cramp
Myofascial Release is a hands-on soft-tissue technique that applies sustained pressure and gentle movement to areas where fascia and muscle feel restricted. Fascia is connective tissue surrounding muscles and other structures. The technique aims to improve tissue mobility, reduce local tension, and support more comfortable movement without relying on forceful joint manipulation.
Also called: Fascial release
Nerve Impingement is a condition in which nearby tissue places pressure on a nerve, disrupting normal nerve signaling. The pressure may involve a spinal disc, joint, muscle, or narrowed passageway. Symptoms can follow the affected nerve and may include pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in a nearby region of the body.
Also called: Nerve compression, Pinched nerve
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is a condition in which the pelvic floor muscles do not coordinate, relax, or contract normally. These muscles support pelvic organs and help control bladder and bowel function. Dysfunction may involve excessive tension, weakness, poor timing, or pain, and pregnancy can change the demands placed on this muscle group.
Also called: Pelvic floor disorder
Posture Assessment is a structured review of how your body aligns and moves during standing, sitting, walking, or other activities. A clinician observes head, shoulder, spinal, pelvic, and lower-limb positions, then notes movement patterns that may relate to muscle balance, joint motion, or daily habits. The findings guide postural care.
Also called: Postural evaluation
Proprioception is the body's ability to sense joint position, movement, and force without relying on sight. Receptors in muscles, tendons, joints, and skin send information to the brain, which helps coordinate balance, posture, and controlled movement. This internal feedback supports walking, reaching, and rehabilitation exercises after injury.
Also called: Body position awareness
Range of Motion is the amount a joint can move through its available directions. Clinicians assess movement such as bending, straightening, rotating, or lifting. The assessment may describe active motion, which you perform yourself, or passive motion, which another person guides. Findings can help track movement changes during rehabilitation.
Also called: ROM
Referred Pain is discomfort felt in an area that differs from the tissue or structure causing the symptoms. Shared nerve pathways can cause the brain to interpret signals from one body region as coming from another. This pattern commonly appears in musculoskeletal conditions and can complicate efforts to identify the original source.
Also called: Radiating pain
Round Ligament Pain is a common pregnancy-related discomfort caused by stretching and tension in the ligaments that support the uterus. The sensation may feel sharp, pulling, aching, or tight in the lower abdomen, pelvis, or groin. Sudden movement, changing position, walking, or coughing may make the discomfort more noticeable.
Also called: Round ligament syndrome
Sciatica is a pattern of pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that follows the sciatic nerve from the lower back through the buttock and into the leg. The pattern often reflects irritation or pressure affecting nerve roots in the lumbar spine. Symptoms may occur on one side and can vary in intensity.
Also called: Sciatic nerve pain
A soft tissue injury is damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, or other connective tissues caused by force, overuse, or sudden movement. Common examples include sprains, strains, bruising, and irritation after a collision. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, tenderness, stiffness, reduced movement, or discomfort that appears during activity.
Also called: Soft tissue damage
Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine that can reduce room for the spinal cord or nearby nerves. The narrowing may develop in the neck or lower back. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in walking, although some people have no noticeable symptoms.
Also called: Narrowing of the spinal canal
A sprain is a soft-tissue injury that affects a ligament, the strong band connecting bones at a joint. A sprain occurs when the ligament is stretched beyond its normal range or develops a tear. The injury may cause pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, and reduced joint movement after a fall or sudden twist.
Also called: Ligament injury
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching, excessive force, or repeated loading. A muscle strain may produce localized pain, tenderness, swelling, weakness, or reduced movement. In auto accident care, clinicians assess the affected tissue, symptoms, movement patterns, and related injuries before planning care.
Also called: Muscle strain
Torticollis is a condition that causes the head to tilt toward one side while the chin turns toward the opposite side. Tight neck muscles, joint irritation, or changes present at birth can contribute to this position. In infants, torticollis may affect head movement, feeding posture, and the development of balanced neck control.
Also called: Wry neck
Traction Table is a specialized treatment table that supports controlled pulling forces along the spine. The table may separate or move sections of its surface to create gentle spinal traction during care. Providers adjust the setup to the person’s condition, treatment goals, and comfort, often as part of spinal decompression therapy.
Also called: Decompression table
The health and wellness information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It does not create a provider-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified licensed provider in Brentwood, Tennessee, United States about your specific condition before making care decisions. Individual results vary.
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