GLOSSARY - Chiropractic and Medical Terms Activator Instrument Activator is a technique that uses a hand held precise spring loaded adjusting instrument to correct subluxations and restore body balance. Adjustment/spinal Correction A correction of a subluxation by a short quick push to the vertebra thereby relieving nerve interference. This may be done by hand, with a hand held instrument or with the assist of a specialized chiropractic adjusting table.

Co-pays
The part of our fee not covered by your insurance that you pay each visit.

Deductible
An amount of our services that you must pay before your insurance starts to reimburse.

Disc
The cushions between the vertebra. They offer shock absorption, function as a fulcrum to bend over as well as offer spinal stability.

Dis-ease
Emphasis on this word split was done by B.J. Palmer, a developer of chiropractic. It represents the body not in harmony with it’s external environment.

Drop/Thompson Technique
A technique that utilizes a specialized chiropractic table that has segments the doctor uses to assist the adjustment.

Flexion Distraction
A technique that utilizes a specialized chiropractic table that distracts, or decreases pressure on, the spine. Once under distraction the doctor can move the table side to side or in rotation to facilitate the adjustment.

Graston Instrument Assisted Sot Tissue Mobilization
A soft tissue technique using stainless steel tools over the surface of the skin, lubricated with cocoa butter, to remove scar tissue restrictions in muscles, ligaments and tendons. These restrictions reduce motions, increased inflammation and create more pain. By gently removing these restrictions we improve function and decrease pain. See our links for more information on this highly successful method.

Heat therapy
A gentle moist heat source used to improve blood flow, relax muscles in preparation for the adjustment. Used for stiff and achy conditions, if you are not sure, use ice. The heat source may be heated in the microwave, use hot water, or a hydrocalator pack used only in physicians offices. Usually applied in 15-20 minute intervals each hour. Must be removed if it feels too hot to prevent burning. Note: never apply water to a heating pad not certified for moist use to prevent electrical shock that could result in injury or death.

Homeostasis
The condition where the reactions of the body are in perfect balance with it’s external environment. The body is “at ease”.

Ice/Cryotherapy
A cold treatment used to reduce inflammation and control pain. Used any time the pain is “sharp, sudden, shooting, burning, electrical or intense. Preferably a reusable gel pack that protects against frostbite, though anything frozen will work. Generally applied in 15-20 minute intervals each hour. The sensation is first cold, then burning, then numb. The pack should then be removed as frostbite follows when it is left in place too long. Note: a 2# bag of dry peas, beans or uncooked popcorn makes an inexpensive cold pack that will bend to conform to the body part, like a shoulder. Store it in the freezer to have on hand should you need it for an injury.

Insurance
A third party you or your employer contract with to pay for our services. You have a contract with them, our office does not. There may be times you will need to contact them for some reimbursement issues.

Inversion Therapy/Decompression Therapy/Distraction
There are many types of this decompression therapy that reduces pressure on the discs of the spine, relieves pain and improves motion.Our office uses the Invertrac inversion therapy unit to traction the entire spine, not just a portion of it as some methods do.

Invertrac
A home traction unit that reduces pressure on the discs and improves motion of the spine. Basically, the patient is in an inverted seated position. Traction of the neck occurs by weight of the head, the head and neck in turn pull on the upper back and similarly the head, neck and upper back pull on the lower back.

Orthotic
A custom fit product placed inside the shoes used to correct the misalignments of the feet, balance the pelvis and thus the spine in support of the adjustment. The orthotic we use will be fit to both feet and correct all three arches of the foot and are flexible to allow motion of the foot during the step.

Percussive Massager
Our massagers are percussive. These massagers mimic a massage therapists hands repeating a gentle pounding motion to help relax the body in preparation for the adjustment.

Pinched Nerve
When the spine misaligns with the soft tissues and pushes on the nerve creating pain and irritates the nerves.

Radiculopathy
A more serious nerve irritation that follows the path of the nerve, usually into an arm or leg. Less frequently, may be into the head or torso.

Schedule of Visits
A program of adjustments designed to correct the condition you have. It varies from patient to patient and for each condition.

Scoliosis
A curvature of the spine with one or more curves from side to side. 85% of these curvatures are caused by blunt force trauma to the pelvis between the ages of 4 and 12. When treated following the International Scoliosis Institute’s protocols responds very well to our intensive treatment. Usually achieving an 80% reduction in the curves. The other 15% are related to specific juvenile disease conditions.

Subluxation
A misalignment of the spine that affects the transmission of nerve impulses to and from the organs and tissues of the body. It involves the bone, the joints, the ligaments and tendons. This altered message changes how the body responds to it’s environment. There may be increased (pain, burning, electrical, shooting) or decreased (numb, tingles, weak) function of the nerves. For instance the messages controlling blood pressure to the head may be increased thereby leading to a throbbing arterial head ache.

Techniques
The methods chiropractors use to correct subluxations. There are roughly 50 commonly practiced techniques practiced by physicians in America. The technique is chosen to suit the patient’s needs and the preferences of the physician.

Walk In
Patients who come to the office for care without an appointment. These patients are worked into the schedule as we are able to do so between patients who have appointments. It would be very unusual for us not to try to see every patient who comes through our doors in pain.