Glossary

The science of Physical therapy often uses medical terms that can be confusing. Below, you'll find a list of commonly used terms to help further your understanding of treatments provided.

A

Acute

Any affliction with a rapid onset followed by a short, severe course. An acute injury lasts for 7-10 days from the initial onset.¹

Adhesive Capsulitis

Frozen shoulder. This can be acute or chronic in nature.

American Physical Therapy Association

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a national professional organization. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education.

Articulation

Also known as a joint. It is anywhere 2 bones meet or interact with each other.

ASTYM

A rehabilitation program that stimulates the regenerative healing process of the body. A non-invasive approach, ASTYM rejuvenates muscles, tendons and ligaments.

C

Chronic

Any condition having a duration of greater than 7 weeks.¹

Core muscles of the spine

Transversus abdominis, pelvic floor muscles and multifidii muscles of the lumbar spine.

CVA - cerebrovascular accident-stroke

A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain function(s) due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain, leading to the inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, understand or formulate speech.

D

Doctor of Physical Therapy

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is conferred upon successful completion of a clinical doctoral level professional physical therapy education program. This is the terminal degree in physical therapy clinical education. Today more than 92% of all physical therapist education programs offer the DPT degree and more than 75% of students who graduated in 2008 hold a DPT degree. (source: www.moveforwardpt.com). Doctorate of Physical Therapy
A PhD in physical therapy is a terminal research degree and can be achieved with post-professional graduate studies.

E

Ergonomic assessment

An ergonomic assessment usually consists of a discussion about how much time is spent performing any problematic job functions and any pain or discomfort being experienced in the workplace. Ergonomics is the science of fitting the workplace conditions and job demands to the capabilities of the working population.

F

Fracture

A break or crack in the bone or cartilage.

M

Manual therapy

The treatment of health ailments through 'hands-on', physical intervention such as massage, soft tissue mobilization, various connective tissue techniques, myofascial release, craniosacral techniques, mobilization of joints, joint manipulation, mobilization of neural tissue, visceral mobilization, and strain and counterstrain techniques.

Mobilization

Manipulation and mobilization are two forms of manual therapy commonly employed in the management of musculoskeletal disorders. Joint mobilization "may be applied to any active or passive attempt to increase movement at a joint…techniques are aimed at restoring those component movements that permit pain-free…osteokinematic movement."² Mobilization techniques are graded I-IV. A grade V mobilization technique is a high-velocity, low-amplitude passive thrust.

Mulligan techniques

Brian Mulligan's concept of mobilizations with movement (MWMS) in the extremities and sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAGS) in the spine include both therapist-applied accessory and patient generated active physiological movements. This treatment is utilized to restore normal and pain-free joint kinematics.

Myofascial Stretching

A form of soft tissue therapy intended for pain relief and increasing range of motion. The fascia is manipulated, directly or indirectly, to allow the connective tissue fibers to reorganize themselves in a more flexible, functional fashion.

N

NAOIMT

The North American Institute of Orthopaedic Manual Therapy Inc. (NAIOMT) is a private organization dedicated to the advancement of orthopaedic manual physical therapy in the United States. NAIOMT specializes in a flexible teaching program based on methods of safe, efficient, and effective manual and manipulative physical therapy.

Neurological

Related to the medical science that deals with the nervous system and disorders affecting it.

Neuromuscular

Pertaining to both nerves and muscles.Neuromuscular-electrical Stimulation
A treatment that uses electrical current to cause a single muscle or a group of muscles to contract. This contraction helps strengthen injured muscles and promotes healing.

Neutral pelvis

When the pelvis is neutral, the pubic bone and the hip bone are in the same plane. The lumbar spine is also in a normal amount of lordosis. Neutral pelvis and neutral spine are important reference points for Pilates exercises as well as most functional activities.

NSAID's

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Prescribed by a physician and usually utilized to help control pain and inflammation associated with a musculoskeletal dysfunction.

O

Orthopedic

The branch of medical practice broadly concerned with the skeletal system (bones, joints and ligaments).

Orthopedic clinical specialist

A designation conferred by the American Physical Therapy Association for those therapists who have completed the certification process. Physical therapists who choose to specialize in a practice area and become a certified clinical specialist must complete a minimum number of hours practicing as a licensed physical therapist, a minimum number of hours participating in continuing education classes and pass a rigorous examination.

Orthotics

Specialized mechanical devices to support or supplement weakened or abnormal joints or limbs.

P

Physical therapy

The art and science of evaluating, diagnosing and treating movement impairments and dysfunctions. A physical therapist may treat all body systems including the cardiovascular and integumentary systems as they apply to movement dysfunction. Orthopedic physical therapy focuses on the neuromuscular and musculoskeletal systems. Physical therapist
A physical therapist is a graduate of an accredited physical therapist education program. He or she must be licensed in their state in order to practice physical therapy.

Plantar fasciitis

Inflammation of the plantar fascia at its attachment point to the heel bone. Recent research has found that this diagnosis is often incorrect. The plantar fascia may be overstretched but there is often no active inflammatory process occurring. This is why treatment with ice and NSAID's often fail in long term management. Treatment with joint mobilizations and ASTYM to stimulate healing, has been very successful, even with long term foot pain. For more information, visit http://www.astym.com

R

Rotator cuff muscles

The rotator cuff consists of 4 muscles which surround the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint. They are the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis muscles. These muscles help to stabilize the humeral head in the joint and assist with movement in all directions.

Rotator cuff tear

Any of the 4 muscles of the rotator cuff can be injured. This injury can be an acute injury due to trauma, or a chronic injury due to repetitive wear and tear on the muscles. The supraspinatus muscle is the most commonly injured of the 4 muscles.

S

Spinal Column

The spine is made up of the vertebra. There are different areas of the spine. The cervical spine refers to C1-C7 vertebra and makes up the neck. The thoracic spine refers to T1-T12 vertebra, articulates with the rib cage and is sometimes referred to as the mid back region. The lumbar spine refers to L1-L4 vertebra or the low back region. The sacrum is a bone at the base of the spinal column. It consists of the S1-S5 fused vertebra.

Sports Medicine

Treatment of athletes at all skill levels, focusing on prevention, education, and returning the patient to their sport. This may refer to the high level athlete or the weekend warrior.

Sprain

An injury that occurs when ligaments are stretched beyond their normal capacity and possibly torn. There are different grades of ligament sprains. Once stretched a ligament does not regain its normal length. Therefore physical therapy aims to decrease pain, restore motion and retrain proprioceptors in the ligaments. A proprioceptor is a cell which detects position in space. Once a ligament is sprained (even a grade I mild sprain) the ability for the proprioceptors to detect position in space is compromised. This is often why after one sprain a person will "roll" their ankle multiple times after the initial injury, and sometimes during simple activities such as walking.

Strain

To injure or impair a muscle by overuse , overexertion or overstretch. After an injury to a muscle, its ability to contract and produce the same amount of force, is compromised.

Subacute

The period of time from 10 days to 7 weeks after an injury.¹

T

TMJ-temporomandibular joint pain

Pain associated with the articulation of the jaw and skull.

U

Ultrasound

The use of ultrasonic waves for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.

 

Sources:
¹ Magee D. Orthopedic Physical Assessment 4th ed. W.B. Saunders Company 2002
² Hertling D & Kessler RM. Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders 3rd ed. Lippincott, 1996