Brandon Chiropractic Associates Glossary

A complete reference of terms used throughout our website and in chiropractic care.

A

Arthritis – Inflammation of one or more joints.

Auto Accident Chiropractor – A chiropractor specializing in treating injuries sustained in auto accidents.

Atlas – The topmost vertebra of the spine, supporting the skull.

B

Back Pain – Discomfort in the back, commonly treated through chiropractic care.

Bone Health – Refers to the strength and density of bones.

Bulging Disc – A condition where a spinal disc extends beyond its normal space.

Biomechanics – The study of the structure, function, and motion of the mechanical aspects of biological systems.

Biofreeze – A topical pain relief gel commonly used in chiropractic care.

C

Car Accident Physical Therapy – Physical therapy following an auto accident.

Chiropractic Adjustment – Manual manipulation of the spine to restore alignment.

Chiropractor – A licensed healthcare professional focusing on the spine, joints, and nervous system.

Cold Therapy – A technique using cold temperatures to reduce pain and inflammation.

Custom Orthotics – Special shoe inserts designed to support foot alignment.

Cervical Spine – The upper portion of the spine located in the neck.

Chiropractic Care – A health profession focused on diagnosing and treating mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

D

Degenerative Disc Disease – Age-related disc wear that can cause pain.

Deep Tissue Laser Therapy – Advanced laser therapy for pain relief and tissue healing.

Diversified Technique – A common method of spinal adjustment using a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust.

F

Fibromyalgia – A chronic condition causing widespread pain.

Flexion-Distraction – A gentle, non-force technique for spinal issues.

Foot Pain – Discomfort in the foot area.

Frozen Shoulder – Stiffness and pain in the shoulder joint.

Facet Joint – Small stabilizing joints located between and behind adjacent vertebrae.

G

Gait Analysis – Assessment of walking pattern to identify imbalances.

Gonstead Technique – A specific chiropractic method focused on spinal adjustment and postural correction.

H

Headache Relief – Chiropractic care to alleviate tension and migraine headaches.

Herniated Disc – A disc that ruptures or leaks and causes nerve irritation.

Hip Pain – Pain originating in the hip joint or surrounding muscles.

Holistic Health – A whole-body approach to wellness that chiropractors often support.

I

Injury Chiropractor – A chiropractor focusing on rehabilitation and pain from injuries.

Invisa-RED – A red-light therapy used for fat loss and pain relief.

Intervertebral Disc – A fibrocartilaginous cushion between vertebrae in the spine.

K

Knee Osteoarthritis – Degeneration of knee cartilage leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Knee Pain – Discomfort around the knee joint, often treatable with chiropractic or physical therapy interventions.

Kinesiology Tape – Elastic therapeutic tape used to support and stabilize muscles and joints without restricting movement.

L

Lower Back Pain – A common complaint often addressed through spinal adjustments and corrective exercises.

Laser Therapy – Non-invasive treatment using light energy to promote healing and reduce pain.

Lumbosacral Spine – The lower part of the spine, consisting of the lumbar region and sacrum.

M

Manual Therapy – Hands-on techniques used to mobilize joints and soft tissues to relieve pain and improve function.

Massage Therapy – Therapeutic manipulation of muscles, often integrated with chiropractic care.

Myofascial Release – A soft tissue therapy targeting muscle pain and tightness by releasing tension in the fascia.

N

Neck Pain – Discomfort in the cervical spine, commonly caused by posture, injury, or repetitive strain.

Nerve Pain (Neuropathy) – Pain caused by nerve damage or compression.

Neuromuscular Re-education – Techniques used to restore normal movement patterns and coordination, often used in chiropractic and physical therapy settings.

O

Orthotics – Custom-designed inserts for shoes to correct biomechanical foot issues.

Osteopathy – A related field that emphasizes the physical manipulation of the body's muscle tissue and bones, like chiropractic but with a different philosophy and scope.

P

Pelvic Tilt – A misalignment in the pelvis often addressed through chiropractic adjustments and strengthening exercises.

Posture – The position in which someone holds their body; poor posture can lead to musculoskeletal problems.

Pinched Nerve – Compression of a nerve causing pain, tingling, or numbness.

Physical Therapy – Rehabilitative treatment to restore movement and function after injury.

Pregnancy Chiropractor – A chiropractor specialized in safely treating pregnant individuals to relieve pain, improve pelvic alignment, and support a healthier pregnancy.

R

Range of Motion (ROM) – The measurement of movement around a specific joint or body part.

Rehabilitation Exercises – Tailored exercises prescribed to aid recovery and prevent future injuries.

S

Sciatica – Pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs down one or both legs from the lower back.

Scoliosis – A sideways curvature of the spine that occurs most often during the growth spurt before puberty.

Spinal Decompression – A therapy technique that stretches the spine to relieve pressure on compressed discs and nerves.

Sports Injuries – Injuries related to athletic activities that chiropractic care can help treat or prevent.

Subluxation – A misalignment or partial dislocation of vertebrae that can affect nerve function.

Soft Tissue Therapy – Treatment targeting muscles, ligaments, and tendons to relieve pain and improve mobility.

Spinal Adjustment (Manipulation) – A chiropractic procedure where controlled force is applied to a spinal joint to improve function and reduce pain.

Spinal Fusion – A surgical procedure that joins two or more vertebrae permanently to stabilize the spine, sometimes considered after chiropractic treatments.

Spinal Stenosis – Narrowing of the spinal canal causing nerve compression and pain.

T

Tech Neck – Neck and upper back pain caused by prolonged forward head posture when using technology devices.

Trigger Points – Tight areas within muscles that cause pain in other parts of the body.

Therapeutic Exercise – Specific exercises prescribed to restore function and strength.

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) – A therapy that uses low-voltage electrical current to relieve pain.

Traction – A technique to gently stretch the spine or limbs to relieve pressure and improve alignment.

U

Ultrasound Therapy – Use of sound waves to promote tissue healing and reduce inflammation.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic – A specialized chiropractic approach focusing on the top two vertebrae in the neck.

V

Venous Insufficiency – Venous insufficiency occurs when the veins in your legs struggle to send blood back to your heart efficiently, leading to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms that can significantly affect your quality of life.

Vertebrae – The individual bones that stack to form the spinal column.

Vertigo – A sensation of dizziness or spinning, sometimes alleviated with chiropractic treatment targeting the neck.

W

Whiplash – Neck injury caused by sudden jerking movement, commonly in car accidents.

Wellness Care – Chiropractic care focused on maintaining health and preventing injury rather than treating symptoms alone.

Workplace Ergonomics – Adjusting the work environment to prevent musculoskeletal injuries.

X

X-ray Imaging – Diagnostic tool used in chiropractic to assess spinal alignment and detect abnormalities.