GLOSSARY

A

Acupressure--The practice of applying pressure on parts of the body to relieve pain.

 Acupuncture--The practice of inserting needles at strategic points to relieve pain.

 Annulus Fibrosis--The ringlike fibrosis tissue of the invertebral disk surrounding the nucleus, connecting the vertebral bodies.

 AIMAn acronym for firstaid treatment for back pain; it stands for antiinflammatory, ice, and movement.

 Anulus fibrosisThe tough outer layer of the intervertebral disc, which has a soft inner portion.

 ArthritisInflammation of a joint; most arthritis is caused by degenerative changes related to aging.

 Arthroscopic--Also known as endoscopy, the use of endoscope viewing device and video imaging in surgical procedures to access and observe. (See Endoscope)

 Ayurvedic medicinePracticed in India for 5,000 years, a comprehensive system of medicine that combines natural therapies with a highly personalized approach to the treatment of disease by placing equal emphasis on body, mind, and spirit, striving to restore the innate harmony of the individual.

B

Barresting positionA standing position using the diagonal stance, with one foot propped up.

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Biofeedback--The practice of training a person to control certain body functions, such as temperature, pulse and so on. It's also used to control anxiety and stress.

Body mechanicsThe body's posture or position and its relationship to activity or environment.

Bulging Disk--Herniation or protrusion of the annulus of the disk outside of the normal confines of the disk.

C

Cartilage--A connective tissue that lines the ends of bones and most joints. It lines the facet joints of the spine.

CAT scan--computerized axial tomography. A special type of x-ray that reveals three planes of bones, joints and organs.

Cervical spineThe top portion of the spine (neck) composed of seven vertebrae.

Chinese traditional medicineUses the principles of acupuncture, herbal medicine, moxibustion (burning of herbs), nutrition, dietetics, Qi breathing exercises, therapeutic exercises and others related to traditional Chinese philosophy and beliefs to cure disease and improve health.

CoccyxThe last four spinal vertebrae, which are attached to each other.

D

Degenerative disc diseaseThe daily wear and tear on the back, resulting in a narrowing of the discs.

Glossary

Diagonal stanceA standing position in which one foot is placed in front of the other, providing a wide base of support and taking pressure off the lower back.

 DiscsSee Intervertebral discs.

 Discectomy--Removal or the shrinking and reshaping of a disc either through surgery or with chemicals.

E

Endoscope--Also known as an arthroscope, a miniature instrument used to capture video images inside the body and transmit them via x-ray or to a monitor.

F

Facet jointsThe joints above and below each intervertebral disc, allowing the spine to bend.

H

Herbal MedicineMost ancient form of medicine practiced in all cultures throughout the ages by using plants, leaves, and roots.

Herniated disc--Similar to bulging or ruptured disc, a herniated disc means disc material has left its normal confines.

I

Idiopathic back painis pain that can be directly related to our behavior or life-styles, or in otherwise healthy people.

Intervertebral discsOval structures that form the bending points between vertebrae and that function as 'shock absorbers" to cushion the spine against force.

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K

KyphosisAn excess curvature of the thoracic spine called a "dowager's hump." This is a common occurrence in people with osteoporosis.

L

LaminaThe arch formed by the spinal vertebrae, protecting the spinal cord from exposure.

Laser discectomy--A spinal discectomy procedure performed with a laser probe. (see discectomy)

Laser Thermodiskoplasty--The use of low level laser (LLL) energy to reshape and shrink herniated discs away from nerve roots and the spinal cord.

LigamentThe strong bands that run from bone to bone giving stability to the spine during motion.

LordosisExcessive curvature of the low back, causing "sway back."

Lumbar spineThe lower spine, composed of five vertebrae that rest on a base formed by the sacrum and tailbone.

M

Magnetic therapyElectromagnetic energy and magnetic devices used to (or attempted to) relieve pain and facilitate healing, especially for fractured or broken bones.

Microdecompression--The process of using mini-instruments to decompress areas inside the body, such as the procedure of shrinking a spinal disc to relieve pressure on a spinal nerve or the spimal cord.

Glossary

MuscleThe tissue that affects movement in each part of the body.

 Muscle spasmStrong, involuntary, painful contraction of muscles.

N

Nerve rootsNerve projections from the spinal cord.

Neurologist--A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the nervous system.

Neurosurgeon--A surgeon specializing in surgery of the nervous system.

NervesThe body's communication system; nerves carry messages back and forth between the brain and all body parts.

Nucleus pulposusThe soft pulplike material inside the intervertebral disc.

O

OsteoporosisA disease in which bones lose density, causing brittleness which leads to fractures.

Orthopedist--A doctor who specializes in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

P

PCD--A minimally invasive spine surgery procedure that reshapes and shrinks herniated cervical discs to relieve pressure on spinal nerve roots and the spinal cord. 

Percutaneous Microdecompressive Endoscopic Spinal Discectomy with Laser Thermodiskoplasty--A minimally invasive procedure for reducing and reshaping herniated discs to

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relieve pain caused by the disc asserting pressure on a spinal nerve root or the spinal cord. 

PivotingA bodymechanics position to replace twisting, especially when moving a load; pivoting means moving shoulders, hips and feet in the same direction in which the load is being moved.

PLD--A minimally invasive spine surgery procedure that reshapes and shrinks herniated lumbar discs to relieve pressure on spinal nerve roots and the spinal cord.

Posture--The appearance of a person standing erect with good balance.

PTD--A minimally invasive spine surgery procedure that reshapes and shrinks herniated thoracic discs to relieve pressure on spinal nerve roots and the spinal cord.

R

Root pain For example, nerve roots in your neck come together to form major branches below your shoulders and down into your arms. So, sometimes a problem in your neck can cause pain in your arms. This also can be true with pain in your legs or feet and other parts of your body.

RestTo put the body in a position that reduces the amount of pressure on the low back; does not mean bedrest. 

Ruptured, slipped, bulging, or herniated discsConditions of invertabral discs most often causing back pain.

S

S-curveThe point in your back of highest stress. 

SacrumFive attached vertebrae that form part of the base of the spine.

Glossary

Sciatic nerveFormed by multiple nerve roots from the lumbar spine; the sciatic nerve sends signals down the leg to control muscles and up the leg to provide sensations.

ScoliosisA spinal abnormality known as "curvature of the spine."

Spina bifidaA congenital abnormality in which the arches fail to form over the spinal cord, leaving the cord unprotected.

Spinal canal--The opening at the center of the spine through which the spinal cord runs.

Spinal cord--The root section of the central nervous system going down from the brain through the spinal column, where it divides into nerves.

Spinal column--The spine.

Spinal stenosisA narrowing of the spinal canal, that compresses the spinal cord and/or the nerve roots, cutting off their impulses to the muscles of the leg.

SpondylolisthesisA spinal abnormality in which the fifth lumbar vertebra has a forward displacement upon the sacrum, or less commonly, the fourth lumbar vertebra is on the fifth lumbar vertebra.

T

TailboneSee Coccyx. 

Thoracic Spine--Twelve vertebrae above the lumbar spine and below the cervical spine.

Trauma--An injury.

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Tumor--A growth or enlargement. 

Traumatic back painThese types of back problems are usually the easiest to diagnose, because they can almost always be traced to a certain event, such as, a car accident. There are several different types, including sprains and dehydration, but rarely sprains.

Taoism The oldest known religion in the world, Taoism is perhaps one of the most complete approaches to spiritual and physical well-being available to human beings. Like many Eastern religions, its purpose is to help the believer become a more enlightened, whole human being. Part of the religion's approach to enlightenment is a system of exercises designed for self-healing. These exercises are known as "Internal Exercises".

TendonThe fibrous tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Thoracic spineThe middle part of the spine, composed of twelve vertebrae.

V

VertebraeCylindrical segments of bone that form a column and link together to create the "scaffolding" of the spine. 

Vertebral ColumnThe Spine; the bones of the back.

Vertebral Discs--The discs of the spinal column.

VitaminsChemical substances found in food that are necessary for healthy body growth, function and tissue repair.

Glossary

W

Whirlpool TreatmentMethod of treating minor blood-vessel and musculo-skeletal diseases by immersion in a pool where jets of warm water enter and swirl under high pressure.

X

X-RaysHigh energy, invisible waves capable of penetrating the body and creating shadows on photographic film. The shadows provide images of the body tissue through which X-rays pass.

Z

Zoster"Girdle," used to describe a form of virus infection (herpes zoster, shingles) that often produces bands of inflammation across the abdomen.

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