GLOSSARY

Achilles tendon tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone (see here )

acute describes a sudden, intense condition that may be of short duration

adipose fatty

bilateral two-sided

bursitis inflammation of a bursa, a fluid-filled sac that acts as padding for the joints

cartilage gristle on the surfaces of bones in the joints

cervical of the neck

chafe to rub the skin (see here )

chiropractice treatment of disorders through manipulation, especially of the spine

chronic describes a persistent and debilitating condition

connective tissue cells supporting and connecting organs, also ligaments and tendons

cun a non-standard measurement (see here )

cupping a percussive technique (see here )

deltoid the thick muscle on the outer edge of the shoulder (see here )

du a meridian (see here )

eczema skin inflammation with scaly, itching or burning lesions

fibrositis inflammation of fibrous tissue, in particuiar around muscles

fibula the thin outer bone of the lower leg (see here )

hack to strike with the edge of the hand (see here )

hamstring the tendon at the back of the knee

humerus the upper arm bone (see here )

iliosacral describes the region joining the sacrum and ilium (see here )

ligament fibre linking bone and cartilage

lumbago pain in the lower back

lumbar of the region between the lowest ribs and the hipbones

mastoid process a bony, downward projection from the skull just behind the ear

meridian a channel through which qi flows

metacarpal hand bone between the wrist and the knuckles (see here )

midline the central line of the body, viewed from the front or back

neuralgia severe pain along one or more nerves

occipital of the back of the head or skull

osteoarthritis degenerative condition of the joints, creating pain and stiffness

osteopathy a system of healing based on manipulation, particularly of the bones

osteoporosis a condition where the bones become porous and brittle, due to calcium loss

palmar of the palm of the hand

pectoral large chest muscle that moves the shoulder and upper arm (see here )

percussion striking or hitting (see here )

pericardium an organ closely linked to the heart

pluck to push across muscled tissue (see here )

PMT premenstrual tension; also called premenstrual syndrome

prolapse sinking of an organ or body part from its normal position

psoriasis skin disease with reddish, scaly, itching patches

pummel to strike the skin with loose fists (see here )

qi vital energy or life force, which flows in meridians

qi-point point on a meridian where qi can be manipulated

radius the outer bone of the lower arm (see here )

ren a meridian (see here )

rheumatoid arthritis a chronic disease of the musculoskeletal system, with joint inflammation, swelling and pain

rhinitis inflammation of the nose membranes

rhomboid muscle between the spine and the shoulder (see here )

sacrum wedge-shaped bone at the base of the spine (see here )

scapula the triangular back shoulder bone (see here )

sciatica neuralgia of the sciatic nerve, which runs down the leg

sinusitis inflammation of the sinuses

spasming describe muscles that are overcontracting

spinous process the outward bony protrusion of a vertebra (see here )

tendon fibrous tissue joining muscle to bone

thoracic of the thorax, the area between the neck and the lumbar region

tinnitus ringing in the ears

trapezius flat triangular muscle on the side of the back, shoulders and neck (see here )

ulna the inner, longer bone of the lower arm (see here )

yin and yang two aspects of the underlying principle of Chinese philosophy (see here )