Plain definitions of 35 terms we use on the job in Garden City.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
Anterior Pelvic Tilt is a posture pattern in which the front of the pelvis rotates forward and the back of the pelvis rises. This position often increases the inward curve of the lower back and changes how the hips, abdomen, and spine align. The pattern may appear during standing, walking, or movement.
Also called: Pelvic Tilt
Atlas is the uppermost vertebra in the cervical spine, located directly beneath the skull. This ring-shaped bone supports the head and forms a joint with the skull and the vertebra below it. Its position allows controlled nodding and contributes to the neck’s overall movement. Health professionals assess the atlas as part of a broader neck evaluation.
Also called: C1 Vertebra, First Cervical Vertebra
An axial load is a force directed along the lengthwise axis of a body part, such as the spine, leg, or arm. In sports injury care, axial loading describes how compression travels through connected bones and joints during activities like landing, lifting, or bracing. The body may absorb, transfer, or resist that force.
Also called: Spinal Loading
The cervical spine is the neck portion of the spinal column that supports the head, allows neck movement, and protects the upper end of the spinal cord. It consists of connected vertebrae, discs, joints, nerves, ligaments, and muscles that work together during posture and motion.
Also called: Neck Spine
Chiropractic Subluxation is a term used in chiropractic care to describe altered joint motion or function, often involving a spinal segment. Practitioners assess movement, tenderness, posture, and related physical findings to understand how the area functions. The term describes a clinical assessment concept, not a diagnosis of complete joint dislocation or nerve damage.
Also called: Vertebral Subluxation
Coccyx is the small, curved bone at the base of the spine, commonly called the tailbone. The coccyx connects with the sacrum and supports nearby ligaments, muscles, and pelvic floor tissues. Its position helps explain why pressure, falls, prolonged sitting, or referred pain can affect the lower back and buttock area.
Also called: Tailbone
Core Muscles are the muscles surrounding the trunk and pelvis that help support the spine, control body movement, and maintain balance. They include muscles in the abdomen, back, hips, and pelvic region. These muscles work together during activities such as standing, walking, lifting, and changing position.
Also called: Core Stabilizers
A disc herniation is a condition in which the inner material of an intervertebral disc pushes through a weakened outer layer. This change may irritate or compress a nearby nerve root, causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along its path. Symptoms vary by location and severity, and some herniations cause no symptoms.
Also called: Herniated Disc, Slipped Disc
A facet joint is a small, paired joint at the back of the spine that connects neighboring vertebrae and guides spinal motion. Covered with cartilage and surrounded by a joint capsule, each facet joint helps the spine bend and rotate while limiting excessive movement. Facet joints occur throughout the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
Also called: Zygapophyseal Joint
Forward Head Posture is a postural pattern in which the head rests ahead of the shoulders instead of aligning comfortably over the trunk. The position changes how the neck, upper back, shoulders, and nearby muscles share movement and support. Prolonged screen use, work habits, or limited mobility may contribute to this pattern.
Also called: Text Neck
Gait Analysis is the systematic observation of how you walk or run. The assessment examines foot placement, stride pattern, joint motion, balance, and coordination during movement. A clinician may watch from several angles and compare symptoms with movement patterns to identify factors that may affect sports performance or injury recovery.
Also called: Walking Assessment
An intervertebral disc is a flexible pad between neighboring vertebrae that helps separate the spinal bones, absorb physical forces, and permit controlled movement. Each disc has a firm outer ring and a softer inner center. Disc structure differs by spinal region, so the lumbar, cervical, and thoracic discs handle different movement demands.
Also called: Spinal Disc
Joint Mobilization is a hands-on manual therapy technique that applies controlled movement to a joint without forcing it beyond a comfortable range. The technique helps assess joint motion and may support flexibility when stiffness limits normal movement. A chiropractor selects the direction, pressure, and pace based on the joint and the person’s findings.
Also called: Joint Manipulation
Kinesiology Tape is an elastic adhesive strip placed on the skin to provide light support and sensory input during movement. The tape follows the body’s contours and allows normal joint motion. Clinicians may apply it around muscles, tendons, or joints during sports injury treatment. Kinesiology tape does not replace assessment or correct an underlying injury.
Also called: K Tape, KT Tape
Kyphosis is an exaggerated outward curve of the upper spine that rounds the back. The curve may reflect spinal structure, posture, age-related changes, or another condition. Mild kyphosis may cause few symptoms, while a more pronounced curve can affect posture, movement, or comfort. Clinical assessment helps identify its pattern and possible contributing factors.
Also called: Rounded Upper Back
A ligament is a strong band of connective tissue that joins one bone to another and helps guide and limit movement at a joint. Ligaments support joint stability, but they do not contract like muscles. A stretched or torn ligament is commonly associated with a sprain, which can affect movement and comfort.
Also called: Joint Ligament
Lumbar Spine is the lower section of the vertebral column between the thoracic spine and pelvis. It contains vertebrae, discs, joints, nerves, and supporting soft tissues. This region helps carry body weight and coordinate movement through the lower back, pelvis, and legs during activities such as walking, lifting, and bending.
Also called: Lower Spine
Manual Therapy is a hands-on treatment approach that uses skilled touch to assess and address muscles, connective tissue, joints, and movement restrictions. Techniques may include massage, stretching, pressure, and gentle joint movement. The practitioner adjusts the method to the area being treated, the person’s response, and the intended treatment goal.
Also called: Hands-On Therapy
A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary tightening of muscle fibers that can limit movement and produce pain, stiffness, or a hard, knotted feeling. Spasms may affect the back, neck, or other areas after strain, prolonged positioning, or irritation near a joint or nerve. The tightening may ease quickly or persist.
Also called: Muscle Cramp
Nerve Compression is pressure placed on a nerve or nerve root by nearby tissue, such as a disc, joint, muscle, or narrowed spinal passage. The pressure can disturb nerve signaling and may produce pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along the affected pathway. Symptoms depend on the nerve involved and the source of pressure.
Also called: Compressed Nerve, Nerve Entrapment
A nerve root is a bundle of nerve fibers that branches from the spinal cord through an opening between vertebrae. Each nerve root carries signals between the spinal cord and a specific region of the body. Pressure or irritation near a nerve root may contribute to pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along its pathway.
Also called: Spinal Nerve Root
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles and connective tissues that supports the pelvic organs and helps control pressure, posture, and body functions. These tissues span the base of the pelvis and coordinate with the abdomen, spine, hips, and breathing muscles. Pregnancy can change how the pelvic floor responds to movement and load.
Also called: Pelvic Floor Muscles
Range Of Motion is the amount and direction a joint can move through its available movement path. Clinicians assess it during active movement, when you move the joint yourself, and passive movement, when an examiner guides it. Findings may describe reduced, normal, or excessive movement in a joint or body region.
Also called: ROM
Sacroiliac Joint is the connection between the sacrum at the base of the spine and the ilium of the pelvis. Each person has a joint on both sides of the sacrum. Strong ligaments support these joints, which transfer forces between the upper body and legs during standing, walking, and movement.
Also called: SI Joint
The sciatic nerve is the body's largest peripheral nerve, formed by nerve roots in the lower spine and extending through the pelvis into each leg. The nerve carries signals between the spinal cord and parts of the hip, thigh, lower leg, and foot. Irritation or compression can produce sciatica symptoms.
Also called: Ischial Nerve
The spinal cord is a long bundle of nerve tissue that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. It runs inside the spinal canal and connects with spinal nerves. The spinal cord helps control movement, sensation, and many automatic body functions through ongoing nerve communication.
Also called: Cord
Spinal Stenosis is a condition in which the spaces within the spine become narrower and may place pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. The narrowing commonly affects the neck or lower back. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in walking, although some people have no symptoms.
Also called: Narrowing Of The Spine
A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the tough band of tissue that connects bones at a joint. A sprain occurs when a joint movement stretches or tears ligament fibers. Common locations include the ankle, knee, wrist, and neck. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, or reduced movement.
Also called: Ligament Injury
Strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching, force, or repeated loading. A strain may affect a small area or a broader section of soft tissue. Symptoms can include pain, tenderness, swelling, weakness, or limited movement. The term describes tissue involvement, not the exact severity or cause.
Also called: Muscle Strain
The temporomandibular joint is the paired jaw joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull near each ear. Each joint supports opening, closing, speaking, chewing, and other jaw movements. Muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and the joint surfaces work together to guide smooth motion between the jaw and skull.
Also called: Jaw Joint, TMJ
Trigger Point is a sensitive, tense area within a muscle that may produce local discomfort or refer discomfort to another area when pressed. These areas often feel like firm bands or small knots. A trigger point describes a muscular finding, not a diagnosis, injury, or separate body structure.
Also called: Muscle Knot
A vertebra is one of the individual bones that forms the spinal column. Each vertebra has a body, an arch, and openings that help support the spine and protect the spinal cord. Vertebrae connect through joints, discs, and ligaments, allowing the back and neck to bend, rotate, and bear weight.
Also called: Spinal Bone
Whiplash Injury is a neck injury caused by sudden back-and-forth movement of the head and neck. The motion can affect muscles, ligaments, joints, discs, and nearby nerves. Symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, headache, reduced movement, or arm discomfort. Symptoms can appear soon after an accident or develop later.
Also called: Acceleration-Deceleration Injury, Neck Sprain
An X-Ray is an imaging test that uses a controlled beam of energy to create pictures of bones and selected body structures. The resulting image can show bone alignment, fractures, joint spacing, and other visible changes. Health professionals interpret X-Ray findings alongside symptoms, examination results, and relevant injury history.
Also called: Radiograph
Youth Sports Injury is a physical problem linked to athletic activity in children or adolescents. The problem may affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, bones, or movement patterns. It can follow a sudden event, repeated stress, poor technique, or a return to activity before normal function has been restored.
Also called: Pediatric Sports Injury
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 Garden City, GA, United States about your specific condition before making care decisions. Individual results vary.
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