| Absolute contraindication | A condition that would require the clearance of a physician or prohibit treatment altogether.
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| Acetabulum | The point at which the three bones of the pelvis (ilium, ischium, and pubis) fuse. It forms the pelvic portion of the hip joint and articulates with the head of the femur.
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| Achilles tendonitis | An inflammation of the Achilles tendon that typically arises from overuse. It is characterized by pain and inflammation over the tendon.
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| Acromegaly | A hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone.
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| Actin | A globular structural protein that polymerizes in a helical fashion to form an actin filament that is, among its other functions, involved in muscle contraction.
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| Active myofascial trigger point | A point that generally causes complaint. It is tender, restricts range of motion, inhibits muscle strength, re-creates pain on compression, produces a local twitch response, and refers to a general reference zone.
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| Active range of motion | Motion performed by the client with no help from the therapist.
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| Acute injury | An injury caused by a single force.
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| Adhesion | A localized buildup of connective tissue within the muscle fibers that binds it together and restricts motion.
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| Adhesive capsulitis | An insidious condition that begins with pain and progresses to a loss of motion in all planes.
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| Agonist | A muscle that provides the desired movement.
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| Amalgam therapy methods | Techniques that combine both energy system treatment and hands-on methods of treatment.
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| Angle of inclination | The angle of the head of the femur in the socket. It is approximately 125° in the frontal plane, allowing the femur to angle downward medially, which brings the knees closer together to provide a better base of support.
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| Anisotropic | Able to resist force better from one direction than another.
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| Antagonist | A muscle that performs the motion opposite that of the agonist.
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| Antalgic gait | A posture or gait that is assumed in order to avoid or lessen pain.
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| Anteversion | An excessive internal rotation of the shaft of the femur in relation to the neck.
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| Attachment trigger point | A trigger point that lies at the musculotendinous junction and is caused by the tension characteristic of the taut band produced by the central point.
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| Attrition tendonosis | A pathology of the biceps tendon caused by a narrow bicipital groove and resulting in irritation of the extracapsular portion of the tendon.
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| Auscultation | The act of listening to the internal sounds of the body, usually using a stethoscope.
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| Axonotmesis | A nerve injury that disrupts the axon and myelin sheath but leaves the connective tissue covering, the epineurium, intact.
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| Backward thinking | The process of formulating and testing a hypothesis to obtain information.
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| Bending | The result of the combination of compression and tension that is applied perpendicular to the long axis. The side of the structure where the force is applied is compressed, while the opposite side is loaded under tension.
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| Biceps brachii tendonosis | A pathology of the biceps brachii caused by various factors.
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| Bindegewebsmassage | A type of connective tissue massage discovered and developed by German physiotherapist Elizabeth Dicke.
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| Body mechanics | The proper use of postural techniques to deliver massage therapy with the highest level of efficiency while causing the least amount of strain to the practitioner.
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| Bruxism | Clinching or grinding of the teeth.
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| Bursae | Fluid-filled sacs located under muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other structures that are exposed to friction. They serve to reduce friction between surfaces and allow for smooth motion.
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| Camel sign | A condition that stems from patella alta, which causes the infrapatellar fat pad to become more evident, creating the appearance of a double hump.
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| Capsular pattern | A proportional motion restriction that is unique to every joint that indicates irritation of the entire joint.
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| Carpal tunnel syndrome | A type of nerve entrapment injury that is brought on by increased pressure in the carpal tunnel. This can arise from two causes: a decrease in available space or an increase in the size of the tendons and other structures that pass through the tunnel. Symptoms include pain, numbness, and tingling along the median nerve distribution.
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| Carrying angle | The angle that is formed by the long axis of the humerus and the long axis of the ulna.
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| Caudal | A directional term referring toward the tail or away from the head.
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| Central myofascial trigger point | A point located near the center of the muscle belly and is associated with a dysfunctional motor end plate.
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| Chondromalacia patella | A condition that is the result of prolonged exposure to excessive compressive forces or abnormal shear forces due to patellar mistracking. These forces result in a softening and degeneration of the articular cartilage of the patella.
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| Chondropenia | The loss of cartilage volume.
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| Chronic injury | An injury caused by a repetitive load placed on an area.
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| Clinical massage | The treatment of musculoskeletal conditions using a framework based on information gathered through an advanced knowledge of anatomy, proficient palpation skills, competent assessment ability, a thorough history, and visual observation.
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| Clinical reasoning | The process of taking separate details of the subject, analyzing and evaluating the information, and organizing it into usable patterns that can be applied to the treatment.
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| Collagenous fiber | Connective tissue fiber that is made of collagen and is extremely strong and resists stretching.
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| Colle's fracture | A fracture of the distal radius with displacement.
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| Compression | A force directed along the long axis of a structure that squeezes the structure together.
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| Concentric | A contraction that occurs when the two ends of the muscle move closer together and shorten during the contraction. The angle at the joint is decreased during this type of contraction.
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| Congenital muscular torticollis | A painless condition, usually presenting during infancy, in which a tight sternocleidomastoid muscle causes the child's head to be tilted to the tightened side.
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| Congenital spondylolysis | A type of defect that occurs when there is a predisposed weakness in the pars interarticularis.
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| Connective tissue | Any type of biologic tissue with an extensive extracellular matrix; often serves to support, bind together, and protect organs.
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| Connective tissue therapy | A general system of connective tissue massage that was developed by Pete Whitridge. The focus of this work is to change the consistency of the connective tissue matrix and redistribute the fascia to its original position, creating more space in the tissue.
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| Continuity | The flow of the strokes and the transition from one stroke to the next.
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| Contraction knots | Knots that are formed as a result of localized contracted sarcomeres. The more sarcomeres involved, the larger the knot.
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| Contraindication | A condition or factor that increases the risk involved in performing a certain treatment or engaging in a particular activity.
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| Contralateral | Referring to an occurrence or a body part on the opposite side of the body.
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| Contranutation | Anterior rotation of the ilium on the sacrum.
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| 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.
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| Cranial | A directional term referring toward the head.
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| Cubital valgus | A carrying angle that is greater than 15°.
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| Cubital varus | A carrying angle that is less than 5°.
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| Cytokines | Cell messengers that control fibroblast activity.
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| Delto-pectoral interval | The natural separation that is present between the anterior deltoid and the pectoralis major.
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| Dense connective tissue | Tissue that has a higher ratio of fibers to ground substance. It is categorized as regular and irregular.
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| Depth | The distance traveled into the body's tissue. This stroke element is controlled by the client.
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| de Quervain's tenosynovitis | An inflammation of the tendon on the side of the wrist at the base of the thumb, specifically the extensor pollicis longus, which lies in the 1st dorsal compartment of the wrist.
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| Dermatome | The area of skin innervated by a single nerve root.
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| Developmental spondylolysis | A type of defect that occurs as the result of a fracture in the pars due to continued micro-traumas, which weaken the structure. These micro-traumas can occur from a variety of sources, including postural conditions, various activities, and repetitive movement patterns.
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| Disk extrusion | A condition in which the annulus is perforated and the nucleus material moves into the epidural space.
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| Disk prolapse | A condition in which the annulus is not ruptured but its outermost fibers contain the nucleus.
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| Disk protrusion | A condition in which the disk protrudes in a posterior direction but does not rupture the annulus.
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| Double-crush syndrome | A diagnosis of a compressed or trapped nerve in one area and a second entrapment in another location, with both entrapments contributing to symptoms.
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| Dupuytren's disease | A deforming condition of the hand caused by the contracture of the palmar fascia and resulting in one or more fingers, usually the ring finger and little finger, contracting toward the palm, often leading to functional disability.
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| Duration | The length of time spent massaging a certain area.
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| Dystonia | A generic term used to describe a neurologic movement disorder involving involuntary, sustained muscle contractions.
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| Eccentric | A contraction that generates more force on the muscle than does a concentric contraction and lengthens the muscle as it is contracting. An outside force is acting on the muscle that is greater than the stimulus to contract, so lengthening takes place.
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| Effleurage | The most widely used stroke in massage therapy. It has several uses, including applying lubricant, warming up the tissue, and assessing the condition of the tissue. Also known as gliding stroke .
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| Elastic region | A region of tissue that, after being subjected to a force, will return to its original shape once the force is removed.
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| Elastin fiber | A connective tissue fiber, made of a protein called elastin, that is thinner and more flexible than collagen fibers; it recoils like an elastic band.
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| Emollient | A substance that softens the skin.
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| Energy therapy methods | Techniques that utilize the energy systems of the body to treat dysfunction.
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| Ergonomics | The scientific study of the relationship of anatomy and physiology to the work of humans.
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| Essential pain zone | A region of referred pain produced by an active trigger point.
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| Excursion | The distance traveled over the body in one stroke.
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| Exudate | Any fluid that filters from the circulatory system into areas of inflammation. Its composition varies but generally includes water and the dissolved solutes of the blood, some or all plasma proteins, white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells.
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| Facet joint syndrome | Low-back pain that is caused by a dysfunction in the facet joints of the spine.
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| Fibroblasts | Large, flat cells that produce the fibers and ground substance that form the matrix of the tissue.
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| Fibrocartilage | Cartilage that is located between the bones and provides cushioning against compressive forces.
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| Fick angle | The angle that is created by the foot and the sagittal axis of the body. It measures how much the foot toes out (increased angle) or toes in (decreased angle). The normal range is 12° to 18°.
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| Flat palpation | Technique in which the fingertip is used to locate a taut band along the length of the muscle.
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| 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.
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| FOOSH (fall-on-an-outstretched-hand) injury | An injury in which the client lands on a forward-flexed outstretched arm or the point of the elbow, which subsequently drives the humerus up into the underside of the acromion.
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| Force | A push or a pull that acts on the body.
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| Forward thinking | The process of recognizing patterns without the need for hypothesis testing.
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| Friction | The most specific Swedish stroke. The skin is secured and the tissue underneath is moved in various directions depending on the intent. It is typically used around joints, bony areas, and specific restrictions within the muscles.
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| Frog-eyed patella | A misalignment of the patellas in which they are oriented as if they were looking away from each other even though the feet are pointed straight ahead.
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| Front stance | A stance used when motion along a client's body is required. Feet are parallel to the table in the direction of motion and at least shoulder width apart.
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| Functional leg-length discrepancy | Leg shortening that is typically a result of a compensation for a posture, such as scoliosis or unilateral foot pronation.
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| Gait cycle | The sequence of motions that occur between two initial contacts of the same foot.
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| Ganglion cysts | Localized fluid-filled sacs that often appear on or around joints and tendons in the hand.
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| Gate theory | The theory that pain signals carried by small-diameter nerves are blocked through the overstimulation of large-diameter nerves, which carry sensory or nonpain signals.
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| Genu recurvatum | The postural condition of hyperextension of the knee.
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| Genu valgum ("knock-knees") | A condition in which the knees angle in toward each other when standing. This places a great amount of stress on the medial structures of the knee.
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| Genu varus ("bowlegged") | A condition in which there is an outward bowing of the knees when standing. This places a great amount of stress on the lateral structures of the knee.
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| Golgi tendon organ | A receptor located in the tendon that monitors the force of a contraction.
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| Ground substance | The amorphous extracellular material in which the cells and fibers of connective tissue are embedded. Also referred to as extracellular matrix .
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| Gunstock deformity | An exaggerated cubital varus that occurs as a result of trauma to the distal humerus.
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| Hyaline cartilage | Cartilage that covers the ends of bones and provides a smooth articular surface.
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| Hyperesthesia | An increase in sensation.
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| Hypoesthesia | A reduction in sensation.
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| Hypovascular zone | The portion of the supraspinatus tendon that corresponds to the most common site of rotator cuff injuries.
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| Idiopathic | Relating to a pathology for which a recognized cause has not yet been established.
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| Iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS) | A common overuse injury caused by excessive friction between the distal iliotibial band and the lateral condyle of the femur, resulting in inflammation and p
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| Impingement tendonosis | A pathology of the biceps tendon in which the intracapsular portion of the tendon is compressed against various structures.
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| 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.
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| Intention | The desired outcome of the stroke application.
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| Ipsilateral | Referring to the same side of the body.
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| Ischemia | A restriction in blood supply, generally due to factors in the blood vessels, with resultant damage or dysfunction of tissue.
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| Isometric | A contraction during which no movement takes place at the joint. The force of the muscle contraction equals the outside force.
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| Keystone | The central, wedge-shaped stone of an arch that locks its parts together.
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| Kinesis Myofascial Integration | A method of connective tissue treatment that was developed by Thomas Myers. This approach is based on structural relationships in the body's fascia and examines global patterns known as anatomy trains .
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| Kinetic chain | The relationship among body parts and the effect of one body part on another.
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| Kyphosis | An increase in the normal thoracic curve.
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| Labrum | A U-shaped fibrocartilaginous structure that lies around the edge of the acetabulum, contributing to additional stability by deepening the socket of the joint.
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| Latent myofascial trigger point | A point that demonstrates the same characteristics as an active point but exhibits pain and other symptoms only when palpated.
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| Lateral epicondylitis | A condition considered to be a cumulative trauma injury that occurs over time from repeated use of the muscles of the arm and forearm that leads to small tears of the tendons.
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| Law of Facilitation | Principle which states 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.
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| Ligamentum teres | A small ligament that runs from the femoral head to the acetabulum. It does not add stability to the joint but contains a small artery that supplies the head of the femur.
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| Local contraindication | A condition that will require modification or adaptation of techniques in the area.
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| Local twitch response | A contraction of localized muscle fibers in a taut band around a trigger point, in response to stimulation of that trigger point.
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| Loose connective tissue | Tissue that has a higher ratio of ground substance to fibers. It contains all the different types of fibers and is categorized into areolar, reticular, and adipose tissue.
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| Lordosis | An exaggeration of either of the two secondary curves in the spine that are located in the lumbar and cervical regions.
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| Lower-crossed syndrome | A postural dysfunction that involves the lumbar spine, hips, and pelvis; it follows the pattern of imbalance between postural and phasic muscles and is often accompanied by an anteriorly tilted pelvis.
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| Lubricant | A substance that allows minimal to unhindered glide over a client's body.
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| Lumbago | A nonspecific diagnosis used to refer to the symptom of low-back pain.
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| Malocclusion | The misalignment of teeth and or incorrect relation between the teeth of the two dental arches.
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| Manipulative therapy methods | Techniques that utilize hands-on methods to treat dysfunction in the body.
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| Manual therapy | Therapy that encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of ailments of various etiologies through hands-on intervention.
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| Massage therapy | The manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purposes.
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| Mastication | The process by which food is torn and/or crushed by teeth.
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| Matrix metaloproteinases | Enzymes that act as collagenases and have the task of remodeling connective tissue.
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| Mechanical response | Any effect of massage techniques that occurs as a direct result of the manipulation of the tissues from components such as pressure, range of motion, and the pushing, pulling, lifting, compressing, and twisting of the tissue.
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| Mechanoreceptor | A sensory receptor that responds to mechanical pressure or distortion.
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| Medial epicondylitis | An overuse injury affecting the flexor-pronator muscle origin at the anterior medial epicondyle of the humerus.
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| Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) | Pain along the posteromedial aspect of the distal third of the tibia arising from an overuse injury.
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| Medical massage | A system of manually applied techniques designed to reduce pain, establish normal tissue tension, create a positive tissue environment, and normalize the movement of the musculoskeletal system.
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| Meralgia paresthetica | A condition that arises as a result of the entrapment of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve as it exits the pelvis. Symptoms include burning pain and paresthesias in the distribution of the nerve.
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| Mobilizers | The muscles that have a role in generating movement.
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| Motor end plate | The area where the terminal branch of a motor neuron contacts the skeletal muscle fiber.
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| Movie theater sign | A term used to describe patellofemoral pain that occurs after sitting for long periods of time, as in sitting in a movie theater.
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| Muscle spindle fiber | A receptor within the muscle belly that registers the magnitude and the velocity of a stretch.
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| Muscular cervical dystonia | A type of torticollis that arises from the body's protective mechanism for safeguarding the neck. Its causes can vary and include trauma to the area, a sleeping position wrong for the neck, or repetitive motion of the head for extended periods of time. Often referred to as wryneck .
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| Musculotendinous junction | The portion of the muscle where it transitions from muscle to tendon.
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| Myofascial release | A system of connective tissue massage that was developed in the 1970s by osteopaths at Michigan State University. Made popular by John Barnes, this system of treatment works with the fascial network to realign and restore the balance between the body and gravity.
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| Myofascial trigger point | (clinical definition) A hyperirritable spot in a skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule in a taut band. The spot is painful on compression and can give rise to referred pain, tenderness, motor dysfunction, and autonomic phenomena.
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| Myosin | A large family of motor proteins that, together with actin, create a bond that shortens a muscle fiber.
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| Myositis ossificans | A condition that can appear following severe contusions. It is characterized by the deposition of calcium within the muscle fibers or the formation of a spur on the underlying bone.
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| Myotatic stretch reflex | A protective reflex that engages if a muscle is lengthened too far or too fast and results in the contraction of that muscle to resist its lengthening.
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| Myotomes | Adjacent muscles that receive their innervation from one or two nerve roots.
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| Nerve entrapment syndrome | A condition that occurs when a nerve becomes "trapped" due to changes in the tissue through which the nerve passes.
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| Neuralgia | Pain associated with injury to nerves.
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| Neurapraxia | A nerve injury in which the nerve, epineurium, and myelin sheath are stretched but still intact. There is a localized conduction block, which causes a temporary loss of sensation and motor function.
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| Neurologic cervical dystonia | A type of dystonia that typically occurs in adults between the ages of 25 and 60 and can be secondary to a known neuropathological process such as trauma, brain tumor, stroke, or neurodegenerative disease. It can also occur as a primary disorder, with no abnormality found. Sometimes called spasmodic torticollis .
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| Neuropathy | An injury along the length of a nerve.
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| Neurotmesis | A nerve injury in which the entire nerve is disrupted.
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| Neutralizer | A muscle that cancels out unwanted movement (since muscles typically have more than one function at a particular joint) so that only the desired action is performed.
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| Nociceptor | A sensory receptor that sends signals that cause the perception of pain in response to a potentially damaging stimulus.
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| Nutation | The backward rotation of the ilium on the sacrum.
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| Orthopedic massage | Massage that involves therapeutic assessment, manipulation, and movement of locomotor soft tissues to reduce pain and dysfunction.
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| Osteochondritis dissecans | A condition characterized by a piece of subchondral bone and cartilage that becomes dislodged from the articular surface. It is classified as either stable, wherein the articular cartilage remains in its anatomical position, or unstable, wherein the fragment becomes dislodged.
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| Osteoligamentous tunnel | The tunnel formed by the eight carpal bones and the fibrous band of tissue called the flexor retinaculum .
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| Overpressure | A force that attempts to move a joint beyond its normal range of motion.
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| Painful arc | The arc of the shoulder that is created during abduction and goes through a phase of no pain between 0° and 45° to 60°, pain between 60° and 120°, and then no pain again after 120°.
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| Pallor | An abnormal loss of skin color.
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| Paresthesia | A sense of numbness, prickling, or tingling.
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| Pars interarticularis | A thin slice of bone on the vertebra located between the inferior and superior articular processes of the facet joint.
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| Passive range of motion | Motion performed on the client by the therapist while the client remains totally relaxed.
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| Patella alta | A condition in which an abnormally long patellar tendon causes the patella to ride higher in the trochlea, giving the patella a greater chance of tracking abnormally.
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| Patella baja | A condition in which an abnormally short patellar tendon causes the patella to sit lower in the trochlea, giving the patella a greater chance of tracking abnormally.
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| Patellar tendonosis | Tendon degeneration (or failed healing), with or without symptoms or histologic signs of inflammation in the patellar tendon. This condition commonly stems from an overuse of the patellar tendon, resulting in a cycle of continued insults to the tendon with unsuccessful healing that causes the continued degeneration of the tissue.
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| Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) | Anterior knee pain caused by abnormal motion of the patella in the trochlear groove, which results from biochemical and/or physical changes within the patellofemoral joint.
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| Petrissage | A stroke that is applied by kneading the tissues to wring out the waste products and bring in new blood flow.
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| Piano key sign | A condition, resulting from a grade III AC sprain, in which the lateral clavicle bobs up and down when depressed, causing severe swelling, pain, and a defi- nite step deformity.
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| Piezoelectric charge | The ability of an inorganic or organic substance to generate an electric charge from pure mechanical deformation.
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| Pincer palpation | Technique in which the belly of the muscle is grasped between the thumb and the fingers and is rolled back and forth to locate the bands.
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| Piriformis syndrome | A nerve entrapment condition that involves the compression of the sciatic nerve and its branches by the piriformis. It can arise from trauma and chronic conditions and is characterized by pain in the hip and along the distribution of the sciatic nerve.
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| Plantar fasciitis | An inflammation of the plantar fascia caused by either an individual traumatic incident or repeated micro-traumas over a period of time. It is characterized by sharp pain with the first few steps in the morning or after a long period of non-weight bearing.
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| Plastic region | A region of tissue in which a force will cause tissue deformation and the tissue will not return to its original shape.
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| Popeye deformity | A deformity caused by a complete rupture of the tendon and displacement of the belly of the long head of the biceps brachii.
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| Postisometric relaxation | A latency period that occurs after an isometric contraction and prevents the muscle from contracting again too rapidly. This is attributed to the repolarization of the muscle fibers.
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| Pressure | The amount of force that is applied to the tissue. This stroke element is controlled by the therapist.
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| Primary curves | The curves of the spinal column that are present at birth.
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| Pseudothoracic syndrome | The referral pattern created when three of four muscles (pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, teres major, and subscapularis) have active trigger points. The points refer pain that is similar to the true thoracic outlet syndrome.
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| Quadriceps angle (Q angle) | A measurement that is used to determine the patellofemoral mechanics and is a reasonable estimate of the force between the quadriceps group and the patellar tendon.
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| Radiculopathy | Compression that occurs at the nerve root.
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| Reciprocal inhibition | The principle that as one muscle contracts, simultaneous inhibition of the opposing muscle on the other side of the joint occurs.
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| Reflex zones | Skin zones discovered by Dr. Head in 1889 that occur in the dermatomes, which share the same segmental distribution as the sympathetic supply of the associated organ.
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| Reflexive response | Any effect of massage techniques that occurs as a result of changes directed through the nervous system. When the nerves in the area are stimulated, they create a response either locally or systemically.
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| Release phenomenon | The principle that neurovascular symptoms that present as a result of compression will change if the structures causing the compression are moved.
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| Repetitive motion injury | An injury that results from an accumulation of micro-traumas related to inefficient biomechanics, poor posture, incorrect work habits, or constant motion.
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| Resting position | The position of elbow flexion of 70°. This position allows the most amount of space possible within the joint.
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| Reticular fiber | A connective tissue fiber that is a thinner, immature version of collagen fiber. It forms spongelike frameworks for different organs.
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| Rhythm | The repetition or regularity of massage movements.
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| Rotator cuff tear | A tear in one of the muscles of the rotator cuff.
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| Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction | Misalignment of the sacroiliac joint, which can result in damage to the joint and thus cause pain.
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| Satellite myofascial trigger point | A central point induced either neurologically or mechanically by the activity of another trigger point.
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| Scapulohumeral rhythm | The ratio of movement between the scapulothoracic and glenohumeral joints.
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| Scheuermann's disease | Considered a form of juvenile osteochondrosis of the spine, a kyphosis that is found mostly in teenagers and presents a significantly worse deformity than postural kyphosis. In postural kyphosis, the vertebrae and disks appear normal; in Scheuermann's kyphosis they are irregular, often herniated, and wedgeshaped over at least three adjacent levels.
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| Scoliosis | Any lateral curvature of the spine; often characterized by either a C or an S curve, depending on which and how many regions of the spine are involved.
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| Scope of practice | As used by licensing boards for various medically related fields, a term that refers to the procedures, actions, and processes that are permitted for licensed individuals. The scope of practice is limited to practice for which the individual has received education and clinical experience and in which he or she has demonstrated competency.
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| Screw-home mechanism | The lateral rotation of the tibia during the last few degrees of extension, which locks the joint in its most stable position.
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| Secondary curves | The curves in the spinal column that develop as a result of adapting to the forces of gravity.
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| Sensitivity | The percentage of subjects tested who have the condition and show a positive result.
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| Sequence | The combination and arrangement of strokes. Sequence is based on the plan of care.
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| Sequestrated disk injury | The most severe disk injury, with fragments from the annulus and nucleus outside the disk.
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| Sesmoid bone | A bone that is embedded in a tendon; typically found where a tendon crosses a joint.
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| Sharpey's fibers | Direct extensions of dense, irregular connective tissue from the periosteum into compact bone. The fibers function to anchor tendons to bone.
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| Shear | A force that acts parallel to a plane and causes the tissues to slide past each other in opposite directions.
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| Signs | Objective, measurable findings obtained during an assessment.
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| SLAP lesion | A superior labrum anterior to posterior lesion. It affects the labrum and typically begins where the biceps tendon inserts into the labrum at the supraglenoid tubercle. With increasing instability comes an increase in the severity of the lesion, which eventually makes its way down the superior part of the biceps tendon.
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| Snapping palpation | Similar to plucking a guitar string, palpation that is done by placing a fingertip at a right angle to the fiber direction of a tense band and then suddenly pressing down while drawing the finger back and rolling the band under the finger.
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| Specificity | The percentage of subjects tested who show a negative result but do not have the condition.
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| Speed | How fast or slow a massage movement is.
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| Spillover pain zone | An area beyond the essential pain zone in which pain is experienced by some clients due to a greater hyperirritability of a trigger point.
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| Spondylolisthesis | The forward slippage of one vertebra on another and the spine's inability to resist the shear force associated with this shifting.
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| Spondylolysis | A defect or break in an area of the vertebra between the superior and inferior facets of the vertebral arch known as the pars interarticularis .
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| Sprain | An injury to a ligament.
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| Squinting patella | A misalignment of the patellas in which they are oriented as if they were looking at each other even though the feet are pointed straight ahead.
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| Stabilizer | A muscle that fixates or supports a body part so that other muscles can perform a particular function.
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| Stance phase | The portion of the gait cycle in which the foot is in contact with the ground. This phase makes up 60% to 65% of the cycle.
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| Stenosis | An abnormal narrowing in a blood vessel or other tubular organ or structure.
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| Step deformity | A condition, resulting from a grade II AC sprain, in which the tip of the shoulder drops down, creating an obvious step-off.
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| Straddle stance | A stance used when little or no movement along the client is necessary. The therapist's feet are perpendicular to the table, at least shoulder width apart, and the knees are bent to lower the therapist to the client.
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| Strain | An injury to a muscle or tendon.
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| Structural Integration | A connective tissue modality that was developed by Ida Rolf. Commonly known as "Rolfing," this system utilizes 10 sessions to restore the body's balance with gravity.
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| Subacromial impingement syndrome | A condition characterized by painful contact between the rotator cuff, the subacromial bursa, and the undersurface of the anterior acromion.
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| Sulcus sign | A depression in the glenohumeral joint; created by a downward traction of the humerus.
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| Swedish Movement System | Developed by Pehr Henrik Ling, a combination of massage, gymnastics, and exercise used in the treatment of disease and injury.
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| Swing phase | The portion of the gait cycle in which the foot is suspended in the air. This phase makes up 35% to 40% of the cycle.
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| Symptoms | Information obtained from the client during an assessment.
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| Tapotment | A stroke that involves striking movements using various parts of the hand. Its uses include stimulating or relaxing the nervous system, increasing local blood flow, and mechanically loosening phlegm in the respiratory system. Also known as percussion .
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| Tarsal tunnel syndrome | A nerve entrapment syndrome that affects the posterior tibial nerve as it passes through the tarsal tunnel.
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| Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) | An aching in the muscles of mastication, sometimes with occasional brief, severe pain on chewing; often associated with restricted jaw movement and clicking or popping sounds.
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| Tendinopathy | A global term encompassing a number of tendon pathologies that can be seen in isolation or in combination.
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| Tendonitis | An inflammation of the tendon.
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| Tendonosis | A degeneration of the collagen matrix within the tendon; caused by a cycle of repeated insults and partial healing, which leads to an overall breakdown of the tissue.
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| Tenosynovitis | An inflammatory reaction in the sheath surrounding certain tendons.
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| Tensegrity system | A system wherein structures stabilize themselves by balancing the counteracting forces of compression and tension.
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| Tension | A pulling force directed along the long axis that stretches the structure.
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| Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) | A compression or tension of the brachial plexus and/or subclavian vessels in the region of the thoracic outlet.
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| Tinnitus | Ringing in the ear.
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| Torsion | The application of torque about the long axis of a structure, thereby creating a shear stress throughout the structure.
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| Torticollis | A type of dystonia that affects the cervical region in which the head is tilted toward one side and the chin is elevated and turned toward the opposite side.
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| Translation | Motion of a joint along an axis.
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| Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) | A small meniscus resting on the ulnar side of the wrist, opposite the thumb. The complex serves as a site of connection of ligaments as well as a spacer or cushion between the carpal bones and the end of the forearm.
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| True leg-length discrepancy | Leg shortening that comes from an anatomical or structural change in the lower leg, which is either a congenital condition or the result of trauma.
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| Upper-crossed syndrome | A postural dysfunction that involves the head, neck, and upper trunk and is often accompanied by a forward-head and rounded-shoulder posture. It can contribute to kyphosis in the thoracic spine.
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| Vascular hyperplasia | An excessive growth of the cells that form blood vessels, causing clusters of incomplete vessels in the skin or internal organs.
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| Vasoconstriction | The narrowing of the lumen or opening of a blood vessel.
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| Vasodilation | The widening of the lumen in a blood vessel as a result of the relaxation of the smooth muscle.
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| Vibration | A shaking, quivering, trembling, or rocking motion applied using the hands, fingers, or tools.
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| Viscoelastic | Pertaining to the elastic properties of tissue, which enable a tissue to return to its original length and extensibility.
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| Whiplash | An acceleration-deceleration mechanism of energy transfer to the neck, resulting in a hyperextensionhyperflexion injury.
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| Windlass mechanism | A mechanical model that provides an explanation of how the plantar fascia supports the foot during weight-bearing activities. As the foot moves into dorsiflexion and the toes extend during gait, the plantar fascia is wound around the heads of the metatarsals. This shortens the plantar fascia and elevates the medial longitudinal arch.
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| Y ligament of Bigelow | The iliofemoral ligament that runs from the AIIS to the intertrochanteric line, supporting the anterior region of the joint. It is the strongest ligament in the body.
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| Zone of primary injury | The area of dead or damaged tissue caused by the initial injury to the tissue.
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| Zone of reference | The specific region of the body where the referral caused by the trigger point is observed.
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| Zone of secondary injury | The expanded area of damage to the tissue created by the hypoxic environment that results from the inability of the surrounding tissues to access oxygen and nutrients and remove waste products.
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