Plain definitions of 35 terms we use on the job in Hendersonville.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
An acute injury is a sudden physical injury that develops after a specific event, such as a collision, fall, twist, or forceful movement. The injury may affect muscles, ligaments, joints, bones, or nerves. Symptoms often begin immediately or soon after the event and can change as swelling and irritation develop.
An adhesion is a band of scar-like connective tissue that causes nearby tissues to stick or glide less freely. Adhesions may develop after injury, inflammation, surgery, or repeated strain. In musculoskeletal care, the term describes restricted tissue movement that may contribute to stiffness, altered motion, or discomfort during movement.
Also called: Scar tissue adhesion
An Annular Tear is a small split in the annulus, the tough outer ring of a spinal disc. The split may develop from repeated stress, injury, or age-related disc changes. An annular tear can cause local back or neck pain, and irritation may affect nearby tissues without proving that the disc has herniated.
Also called: Annulus tear
Anterior Pelvic Tilt is a postural position 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 lumbar spine and changes how the hips, lower back, and abdominal region align during standing, walking, or movement.
Also called: Lower crossed syndrome
Arthrokinematics is the study of small joint surface movements that occur as a larger body movement takes place. These movements include rolling, gliding, and spinning between joint surfaces. Clinicians use the concept to understand how joint motion supports range of motion, coordinated movement, and corrective exercise planning.
Cervical Radiculopathy is a condition in which irritation or compression of a nerve root in the neck causes symptoms that travel into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Symptoms may include pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness. The condition often relates to changes in a cervical disc, narrowing around the nerve, or spinal joint changes.
Also called: Pinched nerve in the neck
Cervical Spine is the upper section of the spinal column in the neck. It includes the neck vertebrae, discs, joints, nerves, muscles, and supporting ligaments. This region supports the head and permits controlled movements such as turning, bending, and looking upward while protecting the upper spinal cord.
Also called: Neck spine
A Disc Bulge is a condition in which the outer wall of a spinal disc extends beyond its usual boundary. The disc material remains contained within the outer wall. A bulge may occur in the cervical or lumbar spine and may or may not affect nearby nerves. Imaging helps identify its location and features.
Also called: Bulging disc
Disc Degeneration is a gradual change in the spinal discs that reduces their ability to cushion and separate the vertebrae. Discs may lose water content, become less flexible, or develop small tears. These changes can occur with aging or repeated stress, and imaging findings do not always explain a person’s symptoms.
Also called: Degenerative disc disease
Eccentric Exercise is a form of resistance training in which a muscle produces force while lengthening under load. The movement controls the lowering or decelerating phase of an exercise. This approach trains strength, movement control, and tolerance during actions such as lowering from a step or returning a joint to its starting position.
Also called: Negative exercise
A facet joint is a small synovial joint at the back of the spine that connects neighboring vertebrae. Facet joints guide spinal movement and help limit excessive twisting or sliding. Each joint contains cartilage, a capsule, and sensitive nerve endings. Irritation or wear in a facet joint may contribute to localized back or neck pain.
Also called: Zygapophyseal joint
Foraminal Stenosis is a narrowing of the openings between spinal bones where nerve roots leave the spinal canal. The narrowing can reduce space around a nerve root and contribute to radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Foraminal stenosis most often affects the neck or lower back.
Also called: Neural foraminal stenosis
Gait Analysis is the structured observation of how you walk or run. The assessment examines movement patterns such as foot placement, stride, balance, joint motion, and weight transfer. Clinicians use these observations to identify movement changes that may relate to sports injuries, recovery needs, or altered function during activity.
Also called: Walking analysis
Joint Mobilization is a hands-on manual therapy technique that applies controlled movement to a joint to assess or improve its motion. A clinician guides the joint through a selected direction and range while considering nearby muscles, connective tissue, and the person’s symptoms. The technique may support movement quality without producing a rapid thrust.
Also called: Joint movement therapy
Kinesiology Tape is an elastic adhesive strip placed on the skin to provide light sensory and mechanical support around muscles and joints. The tape stretches with body movement, so it can support activity without fully restricting motion. Clinicians may apply it during sports injury treatment as one part of a broader care plan.
Also called: Elastic therapeutic tape, K tape
Lumbar Spine is the lower section of the spinal column between the thoracic spine and sacrum. It contains five vertebrae that support the trunk, protect nerve structures, and help you bend, rotate, and extend your lower back. Discs, facet joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves work with these vertebrae during movement.
Also called: Lower back spine
A mechanoreceptor is a sensory receptor that detects physical forces, including pressure, stretch, vibration, and movement. Mechanoreceptors send signals through the nervous system when tissue or a joint changes position or receives mechanical input. These signals help the brain interpret touch, body position, joint motion, and changes in local tissue loading.
Also called: Mechanical receptor
Myofascial Pain is a muscle and connective tissue pain pattern linked to sensitive areas within tight bands of muscle or fascia. The discomfort may stay near the affected tissue or spread to another nearby area. Movement, pressure, sustained posture, or muscle overuse can increase symptoms and limit normal function.
Also called: Fascial pain syndrome
Nerve Root Compression is pressure on a spinal nerve root where the nerve leaves the spinal column. The pressure may result from a disc bulge, narrowed nerve passage, joint changes, or nearby swelling. Depending on the affected area, nerve root compression can produce radiating pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along the nerve’s path.
Also called: Nerve impingement
Neuropathic Pain is a pain condition caused by injury, irritation, or altered signaling within the nervous system. The sensation may feel burning, tingling, electric, stabbing, or numb. Symptoms can follow a nerve pathway and may continue after the original tissue problem has improved, which distinguishes neuropathic pain from pain arising mainly in muscles or joints.
Also called: Nerve pain
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is a condition involving poor coordination, weakness, tightness, or altered control in the muscles that support the bladder, bowel, and reproductive organs. Symptoms may include pelvic pressure, discomfort, leakage, constipation, or pain during movement. Pregnancy, childbirth, injury, and changes in posture can affect pelvic floor function.
Also called: Pelvic floor disorder
Pelvic Tilt is a change in the position of the pelvis that alters its angle relative to the spine, hips, and legs. The pelvis may rotate forward, backward, or shift unevenly from side to side. This position can influence standing posture, walking mechanics, and the way movement loads the lower back and hip region.
Also called: Pelvic alignment
Piriformis Syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle irritates or compresses the sciatic nerve in the buttock. The condition may cause deep buttock pain, tingling, numbness, or discomfort that travels into the back of the thigh. Symptoms can resemble problems involving the lower back or hip.
Also called: Piriformis muscle syndrome
Plantar Fasciitis is a painful condition involving the plantar fascia, a strong band of tissue that supports the foot from the heel toward the toes. Symptoms often center near the heel and may become noticeable during walking, running, standing, or the first steps after rest.
Also called: Heel spur syndrome
Proprioception is the body's awareness of joint position, movement, and force without relying on sight. Sensory receptors in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints send information to the brain and spinal cord. This feedback helps you coordinate movement, adjust posture, and control balance during everyday tasks, exercise, and recovery.
Also called: Body position awareness
Range Of Motion is the available movement at a joint or group of joints, measured through a specific direction and plane. The term describes how far a body part can move actively or passively. Clinicians compare movement quality, symmetry, and comfort to guide assessment and exercise planning.
Also called: ROM
Referred Pain is discomfort felt in an area away from the tissue causing the problem. Shared nerve pathways can cause the brain to locate signals inaccurately. The painful area may be healthy, while a joint, muscle, spinal structure, or nearby tissue produces the original signal. This pattern can complicate assessment of back 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. These joints transfer forces between the upper body and legs while allowing limited movement during standing, walking, bending, and other weight-bearing activities.
Also called: SI joint
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 may relate to age-related changes, disc changes, joint changes, or other structural factors. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, weakness, or altered walking.
Also called: Narrowing of the spinal canal
Tendinitis is irritation and inflammation of a tendon, the strong tissue that connects muscle to bone. Repeated strain, sudden activity changes, or direct injury can affect a tendon near a joint. Tendinitis commonly produces localized pain, tenderness, stiffness, or pain during movement, especially when the involved tissue bears repeated load.
Also called: Tendonitis
Thoracic Spine is the middle section of the spinal column, located between the neck and lower back. The thoracic spine connects with the ribs and supports the upper trunk. Its joints, discs, nerves, muscles, and ligaments help coordinate posture, trunk movement, breathing mechanics, and protection for the spinal cord.
Also called: Mid-back spine
Torticollis is a condition in which the neck muscles, joints, or nervous system hold the head in an abnormal position, often with the chin turned or tilted. The condition may develop suddenly after strain or injury, or it may persist because of an underlying neurological or structural cause. Symptoms can include neck pain, stiffness, and limited movement.
Also called: Wry neck
Trigger Point is a sensitive area within a muscle or its surrounding fascia that may produce local tenderness and refer discomfort to another area. Pressure or movement can reproduce the familiar symptoms. Clinicians assess the point through the person’s reported symptoms, muscle response, and physical findings before selecting an appropriate treatment approach.
Also called: Myofascial trigger point
Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of exercise-based care that helps the brain and body respond to balance signals from the inner ear, eyes, muscles, and joints. A clinician selects movements based on symptoms and functional limits. The approach may address dizziness, motion sensitivity, imbalance, or difficulty walking after vestibular system disruption.
Also called: Vestibular therapy
X-Ray Imaging is a diagnostic imaging method that uses a controlled beam of radiation to create pictures of internal structures, especially bones and joints. A detector records how tissues absorb the beam, producing an image that may help a qualified healthcare professional assess alignment, fractures, degenerative changes, or other structural findings.
Also called: Radiography
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 Hendersonville, TN, United States about your specific condition before making care decisions. Individual results vary.
(615) 265-0412