Plain definitions of 35 terms we use on the job in Garden City.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
Ankle Sprain is a ligament injury caused when the ankle twists, rolls, or moves beyond its normal range. The injury may stretch or tear one or more ligaments that support the joint. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and reduced movement, with severity depending on the affected tissue.
Also called: Sprained Ankle
Atlas Vertebra is the first cervical vertebra at the top of the neck. This ring-shaped bone supports the skull and connects with the second cervical vertebra, called the axis. Its joints and surrounding ligaments help the head nod, rotate, and stay aligned while the neck moves.
Also called: C1 Vertebra
Bruxism is a condition marked by repeated clenching or grinding of the teeth, often during sleep but sometimes while awake. The activity can place strain on the jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and teeth. Bruxism may occur with jaw soreness, facial tension, tooth wear, headaches, or clicking near the jaw joint.
Also called: Teeth Grinding
Cervical Spine is the upper section of the spinal column that supports the head and protects the spinal cord in the neck. It includes the neck vertebrae, discs, joints, nerves, and nearby soft tissues. This region allows controlled head movement and helps connect the skull, neck, shoulders, and upper back.
Also called: Neck Spine
Cervicogenic Headache is a headache caused by dysfunction or irritation in the neck, especially the upper cervical joints, muscles, or nerves. Pain often begins in the neck and spreads toward the back, side, or front of the head. Neck movement, posture, or pressure around the neck may influence the symptoms.
Also called: Neck-Related Headache
Cobb Angle is a radiographic measurement used to describe the sideways curvature of the spine. A clinician calculates the angle between selected vertebrae on a spinal image. The result helps characterize scoliosis, track changes over time, and support treatment planning. Cobb Angle describes spinal alignment, but it does not measure pain, strength, or daily function.
Also called: Cobb Measurement
Coccyx is the small, triangular bone at the base of the spine, commonly called the tailbone. The coccyx connects with the sacrum and supports soft tissues involved in sitting, posture, and pelvic movement. Its position can help clinicians distinguish local tailbone pain from discomfort arising in the lumbar spine or sacroiliac region.
Also called: Tailbone
Core Stability is the ability of the muscles around the abdomen, back, pelvis, and hips to support controlled movement. These muscles help maintain trunk alignment while you bend, lift, walk, or change position. Core stability describes coordinated control and endurance, not simply abdominal strength or the appearance of toned muscles.
Also called: Core Strength
A disc bulge is a condition in which an intervertebral disc extends beyond its usual boundary, often without the inner disc material breaking through the outer layer. A bulge may appear in the neck or lower back and may or may not relate to nearby nerve irritation or back pain.
Also called: Bulging Disc
Disc Herniation is a condition in which the soft inner material of an intervertebral disc pushes through a weakened or torn outer layer. The displaced material can irritate nearby spinal nerves and may contribute to back pain, leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Symptoms depend on the disc’s location and the affected nerve.
Also called: Herniated Disc, Slipped Disc
An Ergonomic Assessment is a structured review of how a person, workspace, tools, and job tasks interact. The review identifies physical demands and work habits that may contribute to discomfort or injury. It may examine posture, reaching, lifting, seating, repetition, force, and workstation setup to guide practical changes.
Also called: Workstation Assessment
A facet joint is a small paired joint at the back of the spine that connects neighboring vertebrae and guides spinal motion. Each joint has cartilage and a surrounding capsule. Facet joints help the spine bend and rotate while limiting excessive movement. Irritation in these joints can contribute to localized back or neck pain.
Also called: Zygapophyseal Joint
Forward Head Posture is a postural alignment pattern in which the head rests in front of the shoulders instead of stacking comfortably over the upper body. The position increases demand on the neck and upper back during standing, sitting, or movement. Forward head posture may develop with sustained screen use, habit, or changes in spinal alignment.
Also called: Tech Neck
Gonstead Technique is a chiropractic analysis and adjustment method that focuses on identifying specific joint and spinal motion changes. Practitioners may combine posture review, motion assessment, palpation, and other clinical findings to select a targeted adjustment. The method emphasizes precise contact, direction, and force for the area being assessed.
Also called: Gonstead Method
Iliotibial Band Syndrome is an overuse condition that causes pain on the outside of the knee or hip. The condition involves irritation of the iliotibial band, a strong strip of connective tissue running from the pelvis to the outer lower leg. Repetitive running, cycling, or similar movement can aggravate the area.
Also called: IT Band Syndrome
An intervertebral disc is a flexible cushion between neighboring spinal bones called vertebrae. Each disc has a firm outer ring and a softer inner center that help distribute pressure during movement. Discs also help the spine bend, rotate, and absorb everyday loading. Changes in a disc may contribute to back pain or nerve irritation.
Also called: Spinal Disc
Jaw Clicking is a sound or sensation that occurs when the jaw moves, often near the temporomandibular joint. The sound may resemble a pop, snap, or click during chewing, speaking, or opening the mouth. Jaw clicking can occur with or without discomfort and does not by itself identify the underlying cause.
Also called: Clicking Jaw
Joint mobilization is a hands-on technique that applies controlled, gentle movement to a joint and its surrounding tissues. The goal is to support normal joint motion, reduce stiffness, and improve movement quality. A practitioner guides the joint within a comfortable range while considering the person’s symptoms, physical findings, and movement limits.
Also called: Joint Movement Therapy
Kyphosis is an outward curve of the upper spine that gives the back a rounded appearance. A mild curve may be part of normal spinal shape. A more pronounced curve can develop from posture, age-related changes, spinal conditions, or vertebral injury. Assessment considers spinal alignment, movement, symptoms, and contributing factors.
Also called: Rounded Upper Back
Lordosis is an inward curve of the spine, most noticeable in the neck and lower back. A normal curve helps distribute movement and support through the spine. An exaggerated curve may change posture and place added demand on nearby muscles and joints. Clinicians assess lordosis alongside pelvic position, spinal alignment, and movement.
Also called: Swayback
Lumbar Spine is the lower section of the vertebral column between the thoracic spine and pelvis. It contains vertebrae, discs, joints, nerves, ligaments, and supporting muscles. This region helps carry upper-body weight, permits bending and rotation, and protects nerve structures that travel toward the lower body.
Also called: Lower Back Spine
A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary tightening of a muscle that may feel hard, painful, or difficult to relax. Spasms can occur in the back, neck, shoulders, or limbs. They may follow strain, prolonged posture, sudden movement, or irritation near a joint or nerve, although the underlying cause varies.
Also called: Muscle Cramp
Occipital Neuralgia is a nerve pain condition involving the occipital nerves, which travel from the upper neck across the back of the head. Irritation or pressure around these nerves may cause sharp, burning, or aching pain that can spread toward the scalp, behind the ears, or near one eye.
Also called: Occipital Nerve Pain
Pelvic Tilt is a change in the position of the pelvis that shifts its front edge forward or backward in relation to the spine and legs. An anterior tilt moves the front of the pelvis forward, while a posterior tilt moves it backward. The position can influence spinal curves, posture, and movement.
Also called: Pelvic Alignment
A pinched nerve is a nerve affected by pressure or irritation from nearby tissue, such as a spinal disc, joint, or muscle. The pressure can disturb nerve signaling and produce pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along the nerve’s path. Symptoms may appear near the source or travel into an arm or leg.
Also called: Nerve Impingement, Trapped Nerve
A Pregnancy Pillow is a body-support cushion designed to help a pregnant person rest in a side-lying position. Its shape supports areas such as the abdomen, hips, back, or knees. Pregnancy pillows come in several forms, including full-body, wedge, and curved designs, so support can match personal comfort and sleeping needs.
Also called: Maternity Pillow
Range Of Motion is the amount and direction a joint can move through during an activity or examination. A clinician may observe active movement performed by you or passive movement guided by the clinician. Findings can describe movement in the spine, shoulder, hip, knee, or another joint.
Also called: ROM
Referred Pain is discomfort felt in an area that differs from the tissue or structure producing the signal. The nervous system can interpret signals from nearby or connected body regions as coming from another location. In neck care, an irritated joint, muscle, or nerve may contribute to pain felt in the shoulder or upper back.
Also called: Radiating Pain
A Repetitive Strain Injury is a work-related musculoskeletal condition that develops when repeated movements, sustained positions, or ongoing force place stress on the same tissues. Symptoms may affect muscles, tendons, nerves, or joints. Common affected areas include the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck, and lower back.
Also called: RSI
Round Ligament Pain is a sharp, pulling, or aching discomfort linked to stretching of the bands that support the uterus during pregnancy. The sensation often affects the lower abdomen or groin and may follow movement, coughing, or changes in position. The pain can be brief, but similar symptoms may have other causes.
Also called: Pregnancy Ligament Pain
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 other movements.
Also called: SI Joint
Seat Belt Injury is a physical injury caused by the restraint pressing against the body or by the body moving forcefully during a vehicle collision. The injury may involve bruised skin, strained muscles, irritated joints, or discomfort in the chest, abdomen, neck, or back. Symptoms can appear immediately or develop after the crash.
Also called: Seatbelt Trauma
Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine that can reduce room for the spinal cord or nearby nerve roots. The narrowing may develop in the neck or lower back and can relate to age-related joint changes, disc changes, or bone growth. Symptoms vary by location and affected nerves.
Also called: Narrowing Of The Spine
Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition in which one vertebra shifts forward or backward in relation to the vertebra below it. The shift most often affects the lower back and may irritate nearby joints or nerves. Symptoms can include low back pain, stiffness, leg discomfort, or no noticeable symptoms at all.
Also called: Slipped Vertebra
A trigger point is a sensitive area within a tense muscle that may produce local discomfort or pain felt elsewhere when pressure is applied. Trigger points often develop in muscles exposed to repeated strain, sustained posture, or limited movement. Clinicians assess their location, tenderness, and effect on nearby movement during a physical examination.
Also called: Muscle Knot
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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