Services Osteopathy Glossary
Glossary
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Adhesive Capsulitis
Commonly called frozen shoulder, a condition of the shoulder marked by pain and restriction in shoulder movement. The capsule in the shoulder normally has folds allowing freedom of movement, these become fused thereby limiting shoulder movement. Pain is often both in the shoulder and the scapular (shoulder blade) region.
Adolescent Scoliosis
This is a lateral curvature of the spine that occurs after puberty and before maturity.
Adult Scoliosis
This is Scoliosis that occurs after skeletal maturity. Three major categories exist : degenerative, posttraumatic and developmental.
Arthralgia
Pain in a joint.
Arthritis
A common condition of the joint characterised by pain, deformity and restriction of joint movement; one of the more common conditions an osteopath sees in their practice.
Bed Rest
Almost completely inactive. Nowadays the prevailing advice is to keep up a certain level of activity to avoid a painful condition getting worse. Your osteopath will be able to advise you on this.
Bone Graft
Usage of bone in spinal fusion.
Bruxism Technical
Term for grinding of the teeth. This can be an important factor in TMJ dysfunction (another condition which your osteopath can treat).
Cauda Equina Syndrome
Abnormal pressure on the lowest portion of the spinal cord. A condition that can lead to bowel and bladder incontinence and is considered a medical emergency.
Cervical collar
A special medical collar that wraps around the neck in order to support the cervical spine, often used after neck injury.
Chronic Pain
Pain lasting for more than 6 months. (This is the most accepted definition, other definitions do exist).
Compression Fracture
The collapse of a vertebral body, can be seen in elderly patients with osteoporosis or in younger patients as a result of a trauma.
Crepitus
Cracking noises that are heard when moving a joint. When an Osteopath manipulates a joint, this sound is often heard.
Degenerative Disc
This is a disc which has undergone wear and tear (damage) which is often related to normal ageing and or trauma over a long time period. This condition is often associated with arthritis and is often seen by an Osteopath.
Dowagers Hump
An exaggerated curvature of the upper portion of the spine found in elderly women.
Epidural Block
A block that is used as an anaesthetic during surgery or childbirth.
Facet Joint
The specific name given to the joints of he vertebrae. These are the joints that make the cracking sound when an osteopath manipulates the spine.
Fibromyalgia
A condition characterised by 11 - 18 tender point sites, the presence of subcutaneous nodules (lump under the skin) and a history of widespread pain for more than 3 months.
Frozen Shoulder
The same as Adhesive Capsulitis. See Adhesive Capsulitis.
Frontal Headache
A headache occurring in the forehead.
Gait
This relates to the way a person walks. Different illnesses are characterised by different gait patterns.
Golfers Elbow
A sports injury characterised by pain on the bony prominence on the inner side of the elbow. This inflammatory condition can be treated by your Osteopath.
Gymnastic Ball
A large, brightly coloured ball used in lower back strengthening exercises.
Heel Lift
An orthotic or shoe insert which is place in a shoe to raise the height of the heel while walking, this is often used to correct a short leg.
Herniated Disc
Commonly called a “slipped disc”. The disc, a gel filled sac, is damaged, the outer fibres of the disc ruptured and a hole is produced. The inner gel like substance seeps through and causes pressure on a nerve and or inflammation on the nerve that can lead to pain in the legs.
Idiopathic
A condition/disease of unknown cause. Iliotibial Band/Tract The tissue on the outer side of the thigh that runs from the hip to the knee. If this tissue is tight, it is thought it could be linked to knee pain. IBS An inflammatory condition of the organs of the bowels that can cause lower back pain.
Joint Manipulation
Applying a force to a joint that moves it beyond its normal range of movement. A common procedure done by an Osteopath.
Jumpers Fracture
A fracture in the spine caused by a jump or fall.
Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis children.
Kyphosis
The posterior curve seen in the upper/mid portion of the spine. The apex of the curve points posteriorly.
Kyphotic Posture
A posture in which the posterior curve in the upper/mid portion of the spine is more pronounced than normal
Laminectomy
A procedure in which part of a vertebra is removed in order to take pressure off the spinal cord or spinal nerves thereby reducing pain.
Lordosis
The normal curve seen in the neck and lower back. The apex of the curve points anteriorly.
Lordotic Posture
A posture in which the posterior curve in the lower back is more pronounced than normal.
Lumbago
Vague description for lower back pain. The most common condition seen by an Osteopath. Lumbar Means lower back.
Manipulation
Applying a force to a joint that moves it beyond its normal range of movement. A common procedure done by an Osteopath.
Mobilisation
A low amplitude, low velocity force technique used to restore joint range of motion.
MRI
An imaging (radiological) technique which uses magnetic fields to get images of soft tissue and bony tissue. This is commonly employed to diagnose a Herniated Disc.
Myalgia
Pain coming from a muscle. Myositis Inflammation in the muscles.
Nerve Block
The injection of a local anaesthetic into the area of a nerve under taken as a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure for nerve pain.
Orthopaedics
The speciality of orthopaedic surgery.
Orthopaedic Surgeon
One who practices orthopaedic surgery.
Orthopaedic Surgery
Surgery of the bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons.
Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis characterised by pain, deformity and restriction of joint movement; one of the more common conditions an osteopath sees in their practice. Cartilage degeneration is the main component of this type of arthritis.
Osteopath
One whom practices osteopathy.
Osteopathy
Osteopathy is a system of healthcare that stresses the importance of the musculoskeletal system in both health and disease. It is a way of detecting and treating damaged parts of the body such as muscles, ligaments and joints.
Osteoporosis
A reduction in the density of bone leading to fracture (from small amounts of trauma) and pain.
Passion Fracture
A fracture of a rib caused by a hug.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Decreased sensation in the hands and feet. Could be due to a number of causes such as diabetes, heavy metal poisoning, long standing hypertension. Other causes exist.
Prolapsed Disc
The same as a herniated disc.
Quadrant Test
A physical examination manoeuvre used to detect pain emanating from the facet joints.
Referred Pain
Pain originating in one area but experienced in another area.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A common form of arthritis that is thought to be autoimmune in origin, and attacks the synovial tissue of the hands and feet and cervical spine.
Rotator Cuff
Muscles located in the shoulder responsible for shoulder movement.
Sacrum
Triangular shaped bone located at the base of the spine.
Sciatica
Severe pain shooting down the back of a leg. A condition often presented to an Osteopath.
Scoliosis
An abnormal curvature seen in the spine.
Slipped Disc
The same as herniated disc. A condition often presented to an Osteopath.
Spondylitis
A non specific term for inflammation of the spine.
Subluxation
An incomplete dislocation of a spinal joint.
Swiss Ball
See Gymnastic Ball.
TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint, this is the joint between the mandible (jaw) and the skull.
Trigger Point
A painful point in a taut muscle that refers pain to another body area.
Ultrasound
A high frequency sound that is used as a therapeutic tool.
Vertebra
One of 24 bony segments that constitute the spine.
Whiplash
Hyperextension/hyperflexion of the neck (often caused in a road traffic accident) leading to pain in the neck. A common injury seen by an Osteopath.
Zygapophyseal
Joint Another name for a facet joint.
