A.P.T.A. (The American Physical Therapy Association)
A national professional organization representing more than 66,000 members, with the goal of fostering advancements in physical therapy practice, research and education.
AAROM (Active Assistive Range of Motion)
Therapist assisted active range of motion
usually prescribed for gentle stretching or strengthening for very weak body part.
AC Joint (Acromioclavicular joint)
Joint of the shoulder where acromion process of the scapula and the distal end of the clavicle meet; most shoulder separations occur at this point.
ACL Reconstruction
Surgery to replace the ligament in the center of the knee (the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL) with a new ligament.
AROM(Active Range of Motion)
Patient lifts body part through range of motion against gravity, gently strengthening without trauma to joints.
Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness, and resulting from infection, trauma, degenerative changes, metabolic disturbances, as well as other causes.
Arthroscopy
A surgical examination of the internal structures of a joint by means of viewing through an arthroscope. An arthroscopic procedure can be used to remove or repair damaged tissue or as a diagnostic procedure in order to inspect the extent of any damage or confirm a diagnosis.
Bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa (a small serous sac between a tendon and a bone), especially of the shoulder or elbow.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
A compression of the median nerve caused by swelling tendons in the carpal tunnel. Symptoms include numbness, pain, and tingling in the thumb and middle fingers, weak grip and diminished strength in the hand.
the therapeutic use of cold applied directly to the area in need of treatment. The cold transferred to the patient
Debridement
Removal of non-healthy tissues and foreign material from a wound or burn to prevent infection and permit healing.
Degenerative Disc Disease
The pathological process by which an intervertebral disc becomes progressively disrupted and fails in its functions.
Eccymosis
Bleeding into the surface tissue below the skin, resulting in a "black and blue" effect.
Edema
Accumulation of fluid, in organs and tissues of the body; commonly called swelling.
Electric Stimulation
a treatment modality using electrodes placed on the skin in various locations, allowing the physical therapist to recruit the appropriate muscle fibers. Contracting the muscle via electrical stimulation helps strengthen the affected muscle. The physical therapist can change the current setting to allow for a forceful or gentle muscle contraction. Along with increasing muscle strength, the contraction of the muscle also promotes blood supply to the area that assists in healing.
External Rotation
Lateral movement of a joint or extremity to the outside.
Femur
Thigh bone; the longest bone in the body.
Gait Training
Therapy to help a patient relearn to walk safely and efficiently. Gait training often incorporates the use of such assistive devices as parallel bars, walkers or canes to promote safe and proficient ambulation. In order to walk again without assistance, the patient will need mental attentiveness and adequate sensation, coordinated with adequate musculoskeletal functioning and motor control.
Golfer
Caused by overuse of the muscles of the forearm leading to inflammation and pain around the elbow joint.
Physical therapists wrap moist hot packs in several layers of towels to decrease pain caused by muscle tension or spasms or to stimulate vasodilatation of the blood vessels, which increases circulation to the area.
Hydrotherapy
The use of water to treat a disease or to maintain health. The term "hydrotherapy" (water therapy) can mean either exercise in the water or using water for care and healing of soft tissues.
Impingement Syndrome
A group of symptoms in the shoulder including progressive pain and impaired function, resulting from injury to the rotator cuff caused by encroachment of surrounding bony structures and ligaments.
Internal Rotation
Rotation of a joint of extremity medially, to the inside.
Iontopheresis
A treatment modality using a direct electrical current to drive medical solutions into and through the skin.
Isometrics
An exercise that involves muscle contraction through pushing, pressing and pulling against an immovable object. This form of exercise uses minimal movement to build muscles.
Joint Mobilization
a treatment technique used to improve mobility in areas that currently have less than normal movement. Tight muscles, stiff ligaments, or problems in the joints themselves may cause the decreased movement. If pain is associated with this decreased movement, loosening up the structure that causes the restriction can often relieve the pain.
Lateral Epicondylitis
see Tennis Elbow
Manual Therapy
A general term for treatment performed with the hands and not with any other devices or machines - sometimes called bodywork. The goals of manual therapy include relaxation, decreased pain, and increased flexibility.
Massage
Systematic manipulations of body tissue, performed with the hands; a type of soft tissue mobilization.
see Golfer
Meniscus
Crescent shaped cartilage, usually pertaining to the knee joint; also known as "cartilage." There are two menisci in the knee, medial and lateral. These work to absorb weight within the knee and provide stability.
N.A.T.A. (National Athletic Trainers' Association)
The certifying and governing body of the athletic training profession.
Neuropathy
An abnormal and usually degenerative state of the nervous system or nerves. Symptoms include tingling and numbness in hands or feet, followed by gradually progressive muscular weakness.
Osteoarthritis
A type of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints
Osteoporosis
Loss of calcium and other substances from bones, causing bones to become weak and prone to fractures.
Patellofemoral Syndrome
The common cause of chronic knee pain, PFS characteristically causes vague discomfort of the inner knee area, aggravated by activity (running, jumping, climbing or descending stairs) or by prolonged sitting with knees in a moderately bent position. The knee may be mildly swollen.
Phonophoresis
A treatment modality utilizing the technique of driving whole molecules of medication with ultrasound.
Plantar Fascitis
A painful condition that results from a tear in the connective tissue on the bottom of the foot.
Rotator Cuff Repair
Surgical repair of inflammation or tears of the rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder.
Irritation of the sciatic nerve resulting in pain or tingling running down the inside of the leg.
Shin Splint
A catch-all syndrome describing pain in the shin that is not a fracture or tumor, and cannot be defined otherwise.
Sprain
Injury resulting from the stretch or twist of the joint and causes various degrees of stretch of tear of a ligament or other soft tissue at the joint.
Strain
Injury resulting from a pull or torsion to the muscle or tendon that causes various degrees of stretch or tear to the muscle or tendon tissue.
Stress Fracture
A hair-line type of break in a bone caused by overuse.
Tendonitis
Inflammation of the tendon and/or tendon sheath, caused by chronic overuse or sudden injury.
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
An injury to the muscles and tendons on the outside of the elbow that results from overuse or repetitive stress.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator)
An electrical modality that sends a mild current though pads at the injury site which stimulates the brain to release the natural analgesic, endorphin.
Therapeutic Exercise
A broad range of activities intended to improve strength, range of motion, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, or to otherwise increase a person's functional capacity.
TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint)
The articulation of the jaw and skull; considered by some to be vital in resolution of injuries throughout the body.
The therapeutic use of manual or mechanical tension created by a pulling force to produce a combination of distraction and gliding to relieve pain and increase tissue flexibility.
Ultrasound
Treatment modality used by physical therapists that utilize high or low frequency sound waves to penetrate the muscles to cause deep tissue/muscle warming. This promotes tissue relaxation and therefore is useful in treating muscle tightness and spasms.
Whirlpool
Immersion of a body part into water with small "agitators" to provide a gentle massaging motion. Warm whirlpool provides relief from pain and muscle spasm and is often preparatory to stretching or exercise. Cold whirlpool is used to decrease inflammation and swelling.
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