Chiropractic Terminology Guide
Understanding your care is the first step toward healing. This guide explains common terms used during your chiropractic appointments to help you feel informed and confident in your treatment plan.
Adjustment
A precise manual procedure where a chiropractor applies controlled force to a spinal joint to restore proper motion and function.
Alignment
The optimal structural positioning of the spine and joints, ensuring the body can carry its weight evenly and move without restriction.
Range of Motion
The degree to which a joint or muscle can be moved comfortably. Restoration of this range is a primary goal of our recovery programs.
Acute Injury
A sudden, sharp injury that occurs immediately following a trauma, such as a collision, requiring prompt clinical attention.
Radiating Pain
Pain that originates in one part of the body but spreads to another, such as pain from the neck traveling down into the arm.
Treatment Plan
A personalized roadmap of chiropractic care designed specifically to address your unique injuries and long-term recovery goals.
Thoracic Spine
The middle region of the spine, consisting of 12 vertebrae that connect to the rib cage and support the upper body.
Sacrum
A large, triangular bone at the base of the spine that connects the spinal column to the pelvis, providing stability.
Disc Bulge
Occurs when a spinal disc extends outside its normal space without tearing, often causing pressure on nearby nerves.
Ultrasound Therapy
The use of high-frequency sound waves to penetrate deep tissues, promoting blood flow and accelerating soft tissue healing.
X-ray
A diagnostic imaging technique using electromagnetic radiation to create pictures of your bones and joints, helping to identify spinal misalignments or fractures.
CT (CAT Scan)
Computed Tomography combines cross-sectional X-ray images to offer more anatomical detail than standard X-rays, providing a clearer view of complex injuries.
Trigger Point Therapy
The application of targeted pressure to hypersensitive spots in muscles, often called 'knots,' to relieve tension and address referred pain patterns.
Subluxation
A misalignment of the vertebrae that can cause interference with the nervous system, leading to pain or reduced physical performance.
Soft Tissue
Referring to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the skeleton and are often strained or bruised during high-impact accidents.
Rehabilitation
A series of targeted exercises and therapies used to restore physical function, strength, and mobility after a car accident or injury.
Chronic Pain
Persistent discomfort that lasts for more than three months, often stemming from untreated injuries or deep-seated spinal misalignments.
Inflammation
The body's natural response to tissue damage, often resulting in swelling, heat, and discomfort as the body attempts to heal.
Cervical Spine
The region of your spine that forms the neck. It is particularly vulnerable to the motion seen in car accidents.
Lumbar Spine
The lower back region, made up of five large vertebrae designed to bear the majority of the body's weight.
Disc Herniation
A condition where the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the tougher outer layer, which can press on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness, or weakness down the arm or leg.
EMS Therapy
A treatment using low-level electrical currents to cause muscles to contract, reducing pain and muscle spasms.
Combination Therapy
A specialized treatment applying both electrical stimulation and ultrasound simultaneously for comprehensive pain relief.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging uses strong magnets and radio waves to provide detailed views of soft tissues, such as discs and nerves, for precise diagnosis.
Myofascial Release
A gentle manual therapy focused on releasing tension in the connective tissue (fascia) to improve flexibility, mobility, and reduce localized pain.
Therapeutic Exercise
Specifically prescribed physical activities designed to strengthen supporting muscles, improve range of motion, and support long-term recovery.