Plain definitions of 35 terms we use on the job in Atlanta.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
An Activator is a hand-held chiropractic instrument that delivers a controlled, quick impulse to a targeted joint or spinal area. Chiropractors use the instrument during an adjustment to apply focused force without the broad hand contact used in some manual techniques. The method supports precise, instrument-assisted care based on clinical findings.
Also called: Activator Method instrument
Ankle Sprain is a ligament injury caused by the ankle twisting, rolling, or turning beyond its normal position. The injury may stretch or tear one or more ligaments that support the joint. Symptoms often include pain, swelling, bruising, tenderness, and reduced movement, with severity depending on the affected tissue.
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 lower back and changes how the hips, abdomen, and lower spine line up. It describes alignment, not a diagnosis by itself.
Also called: Anterior pelvic rotation
Atlas Vertebra is the uppermost cervical vertebra in the neck. This ring-shaped bone supports the skull and forms a joint with the base of the head. It also connects with the next cervical vertebra, helping the neck support head movement. Clinicians assess its position and motion as part of the upper cervical spine.
Also called: C1 vertebra
Axial Traction is a therapeutic pulling force applied along the long axis of the spine. The technique creates controlled separation between spinal structures to reduce compressive loading and support movement. In spinal decompression therapy, axial traction may be directed toward the cervical or lumbar region according to the area being treated.
Also called: Spinal traction
Cervical Spine is the upper section of the vertebral column that supports the head and connects the skull with the thoracic spine. It contains neck vertebrae, joints, discs, muscles, ligaments, and nerve pathways. Together, these structures help the neck move, maintain head position, and protect the upper spinal cord.
Also called: Neck spine
Cervicogenic Headache is a headache caused by a problem in the neck, with pain referred from cervical joints, muscles, or nerves into the head. The pain often begins in the neck and may spread toward the back of the head, forehead, or behind one eye. Neck movement can influence the symptoms.
Also called: Neck-related headache
Chiropractic Subluxation is a term chiropractors use for altered spinal joint motion, alignment, or function that may affect movement and comfort. It does not mean a complete dislocation. Chiropractors assess this concept through the examination of posture, range of motion, joint movement, and related physical findings.
Also called: Vertebral subluxation
Core Stabilization is a corrective exercise approach that trains the muscles around the abdomen, pelvis, spine, and hips to support controlled movement. The goal is not simply stronger abdominal muscles. The approach develops coordination, endurance, and control so the trunk remains steady while the limbs move during daily activities or exercise.
Also called: Core strengthening
A facet joint is a small, paired connection between the back portions of neighboring spinal bones. Each joint has cartilage-covered surfaces and a surrounding capsule that support controlled movement. Facet joints help guide bending and rotation while limiting excessive motion. Irritation in these joints can contribute to localized neck or back pain.
Also called: Zygapophyseal joint
Forward Head Posture is a postural pattern in which the head rests ahead of the shoulders when viewed from the side. This position can increase demand on the neck, upper back, and supporting muscles during standing, sitting, walking, or screen use. Forward head posture describes alignment, not a diagnosis or single cause.
Also called: Tech neck
Gait Analysis is a structured assessment of how a person walks or runs. The assessment examines foot contact, stride pattern, balance, joint motion, and weight transfer. Clinicians may observe movement directly or review recorded footage. Findings can help identify movement patterns linked with foot pain and guide decisions about examination or care.
Also called: Walking assessment
Growth Plates are areas of developing tissue near the ends of many childhood bones. These regions allow bones to lengthen as a child grows and gradually change into solid bone after skeletal growth ends. Their condition helps clinicians understand physical development and select age-appropriate approaches during pediatric health assessments.
Also called: Epiphyseal plates
Infant Torticollis is a condition in which an infant’s head tilts toward one side while the chin turns toward the other. The pattern reflects limited neck movement or uneven muscle tension. It may be noticed during rest, feeding, or movement, and it can develop early in life or appear after birth.
Also called: Wry neck
Kinesiology tape is an elastic adhesive strip applied to the skin to support movement and provide sensory feedback during activity. The tape does not immobilize a joint like rigid athletic tape. Practitioners place it over or around a targeted area to complement an examination, exercise plan, or other sports injury treatment approach.
Also called: KT tape
Kyphosis is an excessive outward curve of the upper spine that gives the back a rounded appearance. The curve may develop from spinal structure, posture, aging, injury, or another condition. Mild kyphosis may cause few symptoms, while a more pronounced curve can affect posture, movement, comfort, and spinal function.
Also called: Roundback
Laser Dosage is the planned amount of light energy delivered during laser therapy to a specific area. A provider selects the dosage by considering the treatment goal, body region, tissue condition, and device settings. The dosage helps guide how the laser is applied, while the treatment plan determines the broader clinical context.
Also called: Treatment dose
The lumbar spine is the lower section of the vertebral column between the thoracic spine and sacrum. It contains vertebrae that support the upper body, allow trunk movement, and help protect structures connected to the lower back. The lumbar spine also works with nearby discs, joints, muscles, and nerves during daily activity.
Also called: Lower back spine
A muscle spasm is an involuntary tightening of muscle tissue that can feel sudden, firm, or painful. The contraction may limit movement and create protective tension around an irritated area. Spasms can affect the back, neck, or limbs and may occur after strain, prolonged posture, repetitive activity, or other sources of musculoskeletal stress.
Also called: Muscle cramp
Nerve Root is a bundle of nerve fibers that branches from the spinal cord through an opening between neighboring vertebrae. Each nerve root carries signals between the spinal cord and a specific region of the body. Pressure, inflammation, or irritation near a nerve root may produce pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along its pathway.
Also called: Spinal nerve root
Neuropathic Pain is pain caused by irritation, injury, or altered signaling within nerves or the nervous system. The discomfort may feel burning, electric, shooting, stabbing, or tingling. Symptoms can occur even when nearby muscles and joints show little tenderness, which helps distinguish nerve-related pain from many tissue-based pain conditions.
Also called: Nerve pain
Pelvic Alignment is the relationship among the pelvis, sacrum, hips, and lower spine as they support posture and movement. Clinicians assess this relationship through posture, movement, and muscle balance. The term describes functional positioning, not a claim that pelvic bones are permanently out of place or that one ideal position fits every person.
Also called: Pelvic balance
Photobiomodulation is a light-based therapy that applies specific wavelengths to body tissue to influence cellular activity. The light may come from a laser or light-emitting diode device. In clinical settings, practitioners select the device and application method according to the treatment area, the intended goal, and the person’s condition.
Also called: Low-level light therapy, PBM therapy
A Pregnancy Pillow is a supportive body pillow designed to help a pregnant person position the abdomen, hips, back, or legs during rest. Its shaped design can fill gaps between the body and mattress, which may make side-lying more comfortable. Different forms include full-body, wedge, and curved pillows for distinct support needs.
Also called: Maternity support pillow
Range Of Motion is the available movement at a joint, measured by how far a body part travels in a specific direction. The available movement may be active, produced by the person, or passive, guided by another person. Clinicians compare movement quality, control, and side-to-side differences during assessment and exercise planning.
Also called: ROM
Repetitive Strain Injury is an overuse condition that develops when repeated movements, force, posture, or limited recovery irritate muscles, tendons, nerves, or joints. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, tenderness, weakness, or reduced movement in the affected area. Symptoms may build gradually during tasks such as typing, lifting, gripping, or assembly work.
Also called: Repetitive stress injury
The sacrum is a broad, triangular bone at the base of the spine. It connects the lumbar spine with the pelvis through the sacroiliac joints and continues into the coccyx. The sacrum helps transfer forces between the upper body and legs while supporting pelvic stability during movement and pregnancy.
Also called: Sacral bone
The sciatic nerve is the body’s largest peripheral nerve, formed by nerve roots in the lower spine and extending through the pelvis into each leg. It carries signals between the lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet. Irritation or pressure along this pathway may produce pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness.
Also called: Ischiadic nerve
Spinal Stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine that can reduce room for the spinal cord or nerve roots. The narrowing may develop in the neck or lower back and can relate to changes in discs, joints, or bone. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, weakness, or discomfort with standing and walking.
Also called: Narrowing of the spinal canal
Straight Leg Raise is a clinical examination used to assess how the lower back and sciatic nerve respond when a person raises a straightened leg. A clinician observes symptoms, movement, and resistance during the maneuver. The finding can help distinguish nerve-related leg symptoms from some muscle or joint conditions.
Also called: Lasègue test, SLR test
A trigger point is a sensitive, taut area within a muscle that may produce local tenderness or refer discomfort to another nearby region. Trigger points often feel like firm bands or small knots during a hands-on examination. In chiropractic dry needling, the finding helps identify muscle tissue that may contribute to movement limits or pain.
Also called: Myofascial trigger point
A vertebral disc is a flexible structure between neighboring spinal bones that cushions movement and helps distribute pressure through the spine. Each disc has a tough outer ring and a softer inner center. Disc tissue can change with age, injury, or repeated strain, sometimes affecting nearby nerves.
Also called: Intervertebral disc, Spinal disc
Whiplash-Associated Disorder is a group of neck-related symptoms and functional problems that may follow a sudden head and neck movement. The term covers more than a neck strain. It may involve pain, stiffness, reduced movement, headaches, or changes in how the neck and nearby muscles function after an acceleration-deceleration event.
Also called: WAD
Work Conditioning is a job-focused rehabilitation program that prepares a person to resume physical work after injury or illness. It combines therapeutic exercise, body mechanics practice, and simulated job tasks. Clinicians adjust activities to match workplace demands while observing movement, strength, endurance, and tolerance during functional activity.
Also called: Work hardening
A Wrist Sprain is a ligament injury in the wrist caused by force that stretches or tears the connective tissue supporting the joint. The injury may follow a fall, collision, sudden twist, or repeated strain. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, tenderness, bruising, and reduced wrist movement.
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 Midtown Atlanta, Georgia, United States about your specific condition before making care decisions. Individual results vary.
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