GLOSSARY

 

Active Stretches - client-instructed stretches or the therapist describing or demonstrating the stretch while the client actively follows along.

 

Acute – refers to those conditions that last for a short time, usually a few days to a few weeks.

 

Agonist – the muscle that is most responsible for causing desired joint action.

 

Anatomical Position – a standard body ; the body is erect and facing forward, the arms are at the side, the palms are facing forward with the thumbs to the , and feet are slightly apart with toes pointing forward.

 

Antagonist – the opposing muscle that must resist, or yield, to the joint motion initiated by the agonist.

 

Anterior – pertaining more to the front of a structure.

 

Belly of a muscle – the central portion or bulk of the muscle.

 

Brachial - refers to the upper arm; between the shoulder and the elbow.

 

Chronic – refers to conditions that have a long duration, in some cases, a lifetime.

 

Deltoid – curve of the shoulder and upper arm formed by the large deltoid muscle.

 

Distal – farther from the point of reference. Usually away from the midline or a central point.

 

Draping – covering the client with a sheet or blanket during the massage to promote warmth and a professional atmosphere that supports the client’s need for emotional privacy (modesty) and comfort.

 

Femoral – pertaining to the femur or the thigh area; between the hip and the knee

 

Flexibility – the ability of the muscles, joints, and soft tissues to bend and not break.

Insertion – the insertion is the muscle attachment undergoing the greatest movement.

 

Lateral - oriented farther away from the midline of the body.

 

Lumbar – pertaining to the area of the back between the ribs of the thorax and hips of the pelvis.

 

Massage - the systematic and scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of improving and maintaining health; it can also be defined as organized, intentional touch.

 

Modality – a general term used to denote any technique procedure, or product used to produce a positive response for the client.

 

Muscle cramp – an acute, painful contraction of a single muscle or group of muscles.

 

Muscle spasm – an increase in muscle tension with or without shortening, due to excessive motor nerve activity.

 

Origin – the tendinous attachment of the muscle that is relatively fixed during the muscle’s action.

 

Popliteal – area located on the back of the knee.

 

Posterior or dorsal – pertaining more to the back of a structure.

 

Proximal – nearer to the point of reference, usually toward the trunk of the body.

 

Sciatica – inflammation of the sciatic nerve often experienced as a dull pain and tenderness in the buttock region with sharper radiating pain or numbness down the leg.

 

Sprain – joint trauma that stretches or tears the ligamentous attachments. Causing pain and possible temporary disability.

 

Strain – a muscle or tendon injury due to a violent contraction, forced stretching , or synergistic failure.

 

Stretching – involves elongating or extending the muscle tissue to its full length.

 

Supine – lying face up or belly up in a horizontal, recumbent position.

 

Symptom – anything the client notices as unusual and uncomfortable.

 

Thoracic – the chest area; between the neck and the respiratory diaphragm.

 

 

 

 

ABBREVIATIONS

 

ASIS	Anterior superior iliac spine
PSIS	Posterior superior iliac spine
TFL	Tensor fasciae latae
SCM	Sternocleidomastoid
T#	Thoracic vertebrae
C#	Cervical vertebrae
L#	Lumbar vertebrae
IP	Interphalangeal joint
DP	Distal phalanges
MP	Metacarpal phalangael joint
PIP	Proximal Interphalangeal joint
DIP	Distal Interphalangeal joint
IT	Iliotibial Band
SI	Sacroiliac joint
ACL	Anterior cruciate ligament
LCL	Lateral collateral ligament
PCL	Posterior cruciate ligament