word guide
The word guide below includes many common terms that are used in the course of services we provide. Use this word guide to familiarize yourself with the terms you may hear during your treatment program.
about ART
Active Release Techniques is a patented treatment used to treat soft-tissue pain. If pain from repetitive strain or injuries has stopped you from living your life to the fullest, ART can eliminate your pain and restore your mobility.
Active Rest
When recovering from trauma, some form of movement and life activity must be utilized for full resolution of the problem. This will insure optimal healing and diminish recovery time. Even after acute injury attempting to use the uninjured parts will speed up healing.
ART Treatment Protocols
Very specific soft tissue adjustments performed to reintroduce normal movement and function in and between different soft tissue structures of the body.
ART Credentialed Provider
While anyone can claim to practice Active Release Techniques, the protocols are so specific that only a credentialed practitioner that is well versed in their application will get the desired results. All FitWell doctors are credentialed in ART.
Bipedal Structure
The biomechanics of two-legged human movement and all of its ramifications. Understanding and implementing the most efficient and effective use of this posture is crucial to maintain optimal musculoskeletal health.
Biomechanics
The relational movement between the parts of the musculoskeletal system. It indicates ranges of motion, stress forces and other factors involved with human movement.
Biophysics Chiropractic Treatment
Based on a model of "text book normal" spinal curvature and joint motion. Treatment is delivered using these standards as a guide.
Corrective Care
Treatment that is targeted at removing the cause of the pain and discomfort, assisting the body to achieve its most effective and efficient function.
Cumulative Injury Cycle
A closed loop series of events that describes the stages of any trauma. Weak and tight tissues cause internal friction-pressure and tension. This causes decreased circulation and edema (swelling). Adhesion and fibrosis occur as a result of the decreased oxygen available. When the friction-pressure-tension factor is severe enough, tearing or crushing can occur either by external or increased internal forces. Inflammation results from the tissue injury and begins the adhesion process, leading to weak and tight tissues. Here the cycle would begin repeating itself.
Diversified Chiropractic Techniques
Adjusting procedures based on acombination of other models. Most especially utilizing the idea that while there is an ideal disposition for the spine, each person has there own "normal" spine, based on healthy motion and forces of stress.
Ergonomics
Utilizing the concept of efficient and effective human motion during activities to increase performance and decrease the potential for injury, fitting the task at hand to the individual.
Fascia
The continuous network of connective tissue covering and connecting the structures of the body.
Free Weights
Far superior to machines, the use of free weights with proper form and technique requires the use of the stabilizing and neutralizing muscles. Movements that more closely resemble human body activities can be performed with free weights, making them highly effective as a tool for progressive rehabilitation.
Functional Core Stability
The intrinsic strength of the neutralizing and stabilizing muscles of the spine. The ability of the torso to remain supportive and stable with or without limb movement.
Gonstead Technique
A method of treating spinal subluxations where x-rays are utilized as the determining factor in deciding where to make spinal adjustments.
Headaches
Many times the underlying cause of headaches is due to the inordinate amount of structural stress caused by postural distortion and all its' implications. Active Release Techniques and complete chiropractic care are very effective for this condition.
Law of Repetitive Motion
A model created to explain how repetitive injuries occur. The formula is: I = N x F / A x R where the factors are:
I = Insult to tissues
N = Number of repetitions
F = Force or tension of each repetition as a percent of maximum muscle strength
A = Amplitude of each repetition
R = Relaxation time (lack of pressure/tension on tissues between repetitions)
Medicine Balls
Weighted balls that when used as resistance can moreclosely replicate normal human movements. Used for exercises that require balance and coordination, factors directly related to the stabilizing and neutralizing muscles.
Motion Palpation Technique
A manner of chiropractic treatment in which adjustments are delivered to restore more normal range of motion at a joint where it is not fully expressed.
Palliative Treatment
Therapies that are delivered solely to decrease and remove pain, not necessarily targeting the cause. Some patients choose to use this approach to manual medicine.
Pelvic Stabilization
The ability of the lower part of the human body to remain stable and supportive while the legs are moving.
Periodization
A very basic training concept that operates under the idea that the only way the body will strengthen and grow is to very methodically change training factors such as intensity and format. Developed form the idea that no one can "peak" all year round and that we actually will see better gains if we do not let the body settle into the same routine day after day, week after week, etc.
Personal Fitness Trainer
A good one is worth their weight in gold. They have the ability to genuinely assist a person to achieve the proactive goals that we set with our patients.
Pilate's Concepts
Originally developed as a therapy for dancers, this highly effective exercise discipline puts great emphasis on functional core stability as well as balance and coordination.
Posture
The disposition of the body where the natural curves are maintained in the spine and the most effective and efficient use of the limbs is well integrated at rest and during motion.
Proactive Therapy
Rather than relying solely on therapy that takes place in the office, patients are encouraged to take part in their own healing. We find that it is the activities which a person does or does not do outside the office that are the determining factors when it comes to predicting the outcome of treatment.
Progressive Resistance Training
Traditionally referring to as weighttraining, based on the idea that the body will respond to measured amounts of increasing weight by adapting and getting stronger.
Scapular Stabilization
The ability of the upper body to remain stable and supportive while the upper limbs are moving or at rest.
Soft Tissue Injury
Trauma to the tissues of the body which includes ligaments, muscles, tendons, fascia, nerves and blood vessels. This causes adhesions to form in and between these structures, which diminishes healthy movement and function. They are best treated with Active Release Techniques soft tissue management protocols.
Sprain
Refers to any injury that occurs to the ligamentous complex of a joint.
Strain
Refers to any injury that occurs to muscles and their tendons.
Swiss Ball Exercises
Use of a fully inflated exercise ball is an extremely valuable tool in rehabilitating and maintaining optimal strength of stabilizing and neutralizing musculature. Neuromechanically, the more unstable the training environment, the more positive effect the exercise movement will have.
Trauma
Identified by the body as acute injury, repetitive motion or constant pressure and tension. Whether the instigating factor is accident, surgery or some other form of physical compromise, the results are the same; scar tissue will form.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex
The series of events and systemic changes which occur with joint dysfunction. The altered motion at the joint level (kinesiopathology) has muscular, neurologic, vascular and connective tissue implications.which must be addressed. The inflammatory response involved has anatomic, physiologic and biochemical components as well.
Yoga
Extremely beneficial in all its forms. Helpful in regaining and maintaining musculoskeletal flexibility and visceral vitality. Perhaps it's most overlooked benefit is the use of isometric contraction combined with postures that encourage balance and coordination. These are the factors most important in maintaining healthy posture.