| Contraction knots | Knots that are formed as a result of the localized contracted sarcomeres. The more sarcomeres involved, the larger the knot.
|
 |
|
|
| Convergence projection theory | The theory that each sensory neuron has multiple branches. When pain arises in unexpected areas of the body, it sensitizes some of the other branches and the pain is projected to those other areas.
|
|
|
|
| Fibroblasts | Large, flat cells that produce the fibers and ground substance that form the matrix of the tissue.
|
|
|
|
| Flexibility | The ability of a joint to move through a normal range of motion without creating an excessive amount of stress to the muscle-tendon unit.
|
|
|
|
| Integrated hypothesis | The theory that a central myofascial trigger point consists of several muscle fibers that are demonstrating regional sarcomere shortening due to an excessive and uninterrupted release of acetylcholine through a positive feedback loop.
|
|
|
|
| Law of Facilitation | The principle that when an impulse passes through a specific set of neurons to the exclusion of others, it generally takes the same course on a future occasion; each time it traverses this path, resistance is less.
|
|
|
|
| Piezoelectric charge | The ability of an inorganic or organic substance to generate an electric charge from pure mechanical deformation.
|
|
|
|
| Postisometric relaxation | After an isometric contraction, a latency period that occurs that prevents the muscle from contracting again too rapidly. This is attributed to the repolarization of the muscle fibers.
|
|
|
|
| Reciprocal inhibition | The principle that as one muscle contracts, simultaneous inhibition of the opposing muscle on the other side of the joint occurs.
|
|
|
|
| Tensegrity system | A system wherein structures stabilize themselves by balancing the counteracting forces of compression and tension.
|