Plain definitions of 35 terms we use on the job in Hermitage.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
Adhesion is a band of fibrous connective tissue that can form between tissues after injury, inflammation, surgery, or repeated irritation. The band may limit normal tissue glide and contribute to stiffness, tenderness, or restricted movement. In soft tissue care, the term describes a suspected change in tissue mobility, not a diagnosis by itself.
Also called: Scar tissue adhesion
Anterior Pelvic Tilt is a postural position in which the front of the pelvis rotates forward and the back of the pelvis rises. This position can increase the curve of the lower back and change how the hips, spine, and nearby muscles share movement during standing, walking, or other daily activities.
Also called: Forward pelvic tilt
Atlas is the uppermost vertebra in the neck and the first section of the cervical spine. This ring-shaped bone supports the base of the skull and forms a joint with the axis below it. Its structure allows controlled head movement while helping protect nearby nerves and other sensitive tissues.
Also called: C1 vertebra
Cervical Spine is the upper section of the spinal column located in the neck. The cervical spine supports the head, protects the upper spinal cord, and connects the skull with the thoracic spine. Its bones, joints, discs, muscles, and nerves work together to allow controlled neck movement and provide structural support.
Also called: Neck vertebrae
Cervicogenic Headache is a secondary headache linked to structures in the neck, such as joints, muscles, or nerves. Pain commonly begins in the neck and spreads toward the back, side, or front of the head. Neck movement, posture, or pressure on sensitive tissues may influence the symptoms.
Also called: Neck-related headache
Cobb Angle is an angular measurement used on a spinal image to describe the size of a scoliosis curve. A clinician draws reference lines along selected vertebrae, then measures the angle where those lines intersect. The result helps document spinal alignment and track whether a curve changes across later images.
Also called: Cobb measurement
Colic is a pattern of prolonged, difficult-to-soothe crying in an otherwise healthy infant. The crying often occurs without an obvious trigger and may involve body tension, facial changes, or feeding disruption. Colic is a description of infant behavior, not a confirmed single disease or proof of a spinal problem.
Diastasis Recti is a separation between the left and right sides of the rectus abdominis muscle along the midline of the abdomen. The connective tissue between these muscles becomes stretched, often during pregnancy as the abdomen expands. The condition may affect abdominal tension, trunk support, and movement without representing a muscle tear.
Also called: Abdominal separation
A disc bulge is a condition in which the outer portion of a spinal disc extends beyond its usual boundary. The disc material may contact nearby tissues, including nerves, and can occur in the neck or lower back. Some disc bulges cause pain or stiffness, while others produce no noticeable symptoms.
Also called: Bulging disc
A facet joint is a small spinal joint that connects the bones at the back of neighboring vertebrae. Each joint helps guide spinal movement and limits excessive motion. Facet joints contain cartilage and a surrounding capsule. Irritation, arthritis, or injury in these joints may contribute to localized back or neck pain.
Also called: Zygapophyseal joint
Fascia is a continuous layer of connective tissue that surrounds and separates muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and organs. The tissue forms a supportive network throughout the body. Fascia can transmit tension between nearby structures, affect how tissues glide during movement, and develop areas of reduced mobility after strain, injury, or prolonged postures.
Also called: Connective tissue fascia
Forward Head Posture is a postural pattern in which the head rests in front of the shoulders instead of aligning directly above the upper spine. This position can increase strain across the neck, upper back, and supporting muscles. The pattern may develop during prolonged screen use, desk work, driving, or other activities that keep the head angled forward.
Also called: Text neck
Gait Analysis is the structured observation of how you walk or run. It examines foot placement, stride pattern, balance, joint motion, and body coordination during movement. Clinicians use these observations to identify movement changes that may relate to a sports injury, recovery needs, footwear demands, or altered physical function.
Also called: Walking assessment
Herniated Disc is a spinal condition in which the soft inner material of a disc pushes through a tear in its tougher outer layer. The displaced material may irritate nearby nerves and contribute to back pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Symptoms depend on the disc location and the affected nerve.
Also called: Slipped disc
Joint mobilization is a hands-on chiropractic technique that applies controlled movement to a joint. The clinician guides the joint through a specific range to assess motion and support normal mechanics. The movement may be gentle and repetitive, with pressure adjusted to the joint’s response and the person’s comfort during care.
Also called: Joint movement therapy
Kinesiology Tape is an elastic adhesive strip placed on the skin to provide light mechanical support and sensory feedback during movement. Practitioners apply the tape over muscles, joints, or other soft tissues as part of a broader care plan. The tape does not physically stabilize a joint like a rigid brace.
Also called: KT tape
Kyphosis is an excessive forward curve of the spine, most often seen in the thoracic region of the upper back. The curve can affect posture and may develop from vertebral shape, spinal conditions, aging, injury, or habitual positioning. Mild postural kyphosis may differ from a fixed structural curve that remains during movement.
Also called: Rounded upper back
Lumbar Spine is the lower section of the vertebral column between the thoracic spine and sacrum. It contains vertebrae that support the upper body, protect nerve structures, and help the trunk bend, extend, and rotate. The lumbar region also connects with muscles, discs, joints, and pelvic structures that influence lower-back movement.
Also called: Lower back vertebrae
A massage gun is a handheld device that delivers repeated, rapid pulses to soft tissue through a rounded attachment. The device applies percussive pressure to areas such as muscles and surrounding fascia. Massage therapists may use it to prepare tissue, support relaxation, or complement hands-on techniques during a session.
Also called: Percussion massager
A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary tightening of muscle fibers that can feel firm, painful, or difficult to relax. A spasm may affect a small area, such as a neck muscle, or a larger region, such as the lower back. Muscle fatigue, strain, irritation, or sustained posture can contribute to the response.
Also called: Muscle cramp
Nerve Compression is pressure placed on a nerve by nearby tissue, such as a spinal disc, joint, muscle, or narrowed passage. The pressure may disrupt nerve signaling and contribute to pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along the nerve’s path. Symptoms depend on the affected nerve and the location of the pressure.
Also called: Nerve entrapment
Pelvic Floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that supports the pelvic organs and helps control bladder, bowel, and sexual functions. These tissues stretch from the pubic bone toward the lower spine and form the base of the pelvis. Pregnancy and childbirth can change how the pelvic floor feels and functions.
Also called: Pelvic floor muscles
Radiculopathy is a nerve-root disorder caused by irritation or compression near the spine. The condition can produce pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along the affected nerve pathway. Symptoms may appear in an arm or leg, depending on whether the involved nerve root is in the neck or lower back.
Also called: Pinched nerve
Range Of Motion is the available movement at a joint or body region, measured by how far it can move in different directions. Clinicians assess active motion, which you perform yourself, and passive motion, which another person guides. Findings can show stiffness, guarded movement, or changes that affect physical function.
Also called: ROM
Referred Pain is a pain sensation felt in an area away from the tissue causing it. The nervous system can interpret signals from nearby or connected structures as coming from another location. This pattern may occur with muscles, joints, discs, or internal organs, so the painful area may not identify the source by itself.
Sacroiliac Joint is the connection between the sacrum at the base of the spine and the ilium of the pelvis. The paired joints transfer forces between the upper body and legs during standing, walking, and other movements. Supporting ligaments help limit motion while allowing the pelvis to adapt to changing loads.
Also called: SI joint
Sciatic Nerve is the largest nerve in the body, formed by nerve roots in the lower spine and pelvis. It travels through the buttock and down each leg, carrying movement signals to leg muscles and sensory signals back to the nervous system. Irritation or pressure along this pathway can produce sciatica symptoms.
A Scoliosis Curve is an abnormal sideways curve of the spine that may also include rotation of the vertebrae. The curve can appear in the upper, middle, or lower spine and may affect posture, shoulder or hip balance, and movement. Clinicians assess its location, shape, and severity during an examination.
Also called: Spinal curve
The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerve tissue that carries messages between the brain and the body. It runs through the spinal canal and connects with nerves that serve the limbs, trunk, and organs. The spinal cord also helps coordinate reflexes, which are rapid protective responses to certain stimuli.
A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the strong connective tissue that links bones at a joint. A sprain occurs when a joint force stretches or tears ligament fibers. Common sites include the ankle, knee, wrist, and thumb. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and reduced joint movement.
Also called: Ligament injury
Strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching or tearing tissue. A strain may affect the tissue near a joint or along a muscle. Symptoms can include localized pain, tenderness, swelling, weakness, or limited movement. The severity depends on the tissue damage and the activity that caused it.
Also called: Muscle injury
A TENS Unit is a small electrotherapy device that sends mild electrical pulses through adhesive skin electrodes. The pulses stimulate sensory nerves near a painful area and may change how pain signals are processed. TENS supports symptom relief during care, but it does not correct a spinal or joint problem by itself.
Also called: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
The thoracic spine is the middle section of the vertebral column, located between the neck and lower back. It contains the vertebrae that connect with the ribs and help form the back wall of the chest. This region supports upright posture, protects the spinal cord, and contributes to trunk movement and breathing mechanics.
Also called: Upper back vertebrae
Torticollis is a neck condition that causes the head to tilt toward one side while the chin turns toward the other. The pattern may result from tight or shortened neck muscles, joint restriction, or an underlying neurological or structural issue. In children, torticollis may appear at birth or develop later.
Also called: Wry neck
Webster Technique is a chiropractic approach associated with pregnancy that focuses on assessing and reducing tension in pelvic and surrounding soft tissues while supporting pelvic function. Practitioners may use gentle manual contact and related soft-tissue methods. The technique does not turn the baby or deliver the baby, and it does not replace obstetric care.
Also called: Webster method
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 Hermitage, Tennessee, United States about your specific condition before making care decisions. Individual results vary.
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