Plain definitions of 35 terms we use on the job in Hinesville.
Term Index
Open any term below for a dedicated definition page.
Activator Method is a chiropractic adjustment approach that uses a handheld spring-loaded instrument to deliver a controlled, low-force impulse to a targeted joint. The method supports precise contact and consistent movement during an adjustment. A chiropractor selects the contact point and direction after assessing joint motion, body position, and the person’s symptoms.
Also called: Activator Technique
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, abdominal muscles, and surrounding tissues share movement and support during standing, walking, or sitting.
Also called: Anterior Tilt
Atlas Vertebra is the first cervical vertebra at the top of the neck, beneath the skull. This ring-shaped bone supports the head and forms a joint with the second cervical vertebra, called the axis. Its structure allows controlled head movement while helping protect the upper spinal cord.
Also called: C1 Vertebra, First Cervical Vertebra
The cervical spine is the neck section of the vertebral column. It supports the head, protects the upper spinal cord, and permits controlled head and neck movement. Seven neck vertebrae connect with discs, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves that coordinate stability, motion, and communication between the neck and upper body.
Also called: Neck Spine
Coccydynia is pain centered at the coccyx, or tailbone, near the base of the spine. The discomfort may feel sore, sharp, or aching and often becomes more noticeable while sitting, rising from a chair, or leaning backward. Coccydynia can follow a fall, childbirth, prolonged pressure, or irritation of nearby tissues.
Also called: Tailbone Pain
Core Stabilization is a therapeutic exercise approach that trains the muscles around the abdomen, back, pelvis, and hips to support controlled movement. The approach focuses on coordination, posture, breathing, and load management during simple positions and functional tasks. Exercises may be adjusted to match movement ability, symptoms, and treatment goals.
Also called: Core Stability
Diastasis Recti is a separation of the abdominal muscles along the midline connective tissue. The condition often develops as the abdomen expands during pregnancy, although other factors can affect abdominal wall tension. It may change trunk support and create a visible ridge during movements that increase abdominal pressure.
Also called: Abdominal Separation
Disc Degeneration is a gradual change in the spinal discs that reduces their ability to cushion movement between vertebrae. The discs may lose fluid, become less flexible, or develop small structural changes. Disc degeneration can occur in the neck or lower back and may appear with or without pain or related symptoms.
Also called: Degenerative Disc Disease
Facet Joint is a small, paired joint between the back portions of neighboring vertebrae. Facet joints guide spinal movement and help limit excessive twisting. Each joint contains smooth cartilage and a surrounding capsule. Irritation or restricted motion in these joints may contribute to localized back pain and stiffness.
Also called: Zygapophyseal Joint
A foramen is a natural opening in a bone that allows a nerve, blood vessel, or other tissue to pass through. In the spine, foramina form passageways between neighboring vertebrae. A spinal foramen can become narrower when nearby discs, joints, or bone changes reduce the available space around a nerve.
Also called: Neural Foramen
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 and upper back muscles during standing, sitting, walking, or screen use. Assessment considers head, neck, shoulder, and upper-back relationships together.
Also called: Text Neck
Growth Plate is a region of developing tissue near the ends of a child’s or teenager’s bones. Also called a physis, a growth plate produces new bone as the skeleton matures. The tissue differs from mature bone and gradually changes into solid bone after skeletal growth reaches completion.
Also called: Epiphyseal Plate
Infant Torticollis is a condition in which an infant’s head tilts toward one side while the chin turns toward the opposite side. The pattern often reflects limited movement or tightness involving the neck muscles. Providers assess head position, neck motion, feeding posture, and motor development to understand the infant’s needs.
Also called: Congenital Torticollis
A joint restriction is a clinical description of reduced or altered movement in a joint. It may involve stiffness, discomfort, or resistance during motion, but the term alone does not identify a specific cause. Clinicians assess joint motion alongside nearby muscles, nerves, and functional patterns.
Also called: Joint Fixation
Kinesiology Tape is a flexible adhesive strip applied to the skin to provide light support and sensory input during movement. The tape follows the body's contours and may help a person notice how an area moves. It does not restrict motion like rigid athletic tape, and it does not correct an underlying injury.
Also called: K-Tape, Kinesio Tape
The lumbar spine is the lower section of the spinal column between the thoracic spine and sacrum. It contains five movable vertebrae that support the trunk, allow bending and rotation, and help protect nerves traveling toward the pelvis and legs. Its joints, discs, muscles, and ligaments work together during movement.
Also called: Lower Back Spine
A muscle spasm is a sudden, involuntary tightening of muscle fibers that can feel hard, painful, or difficult to relax. Spasms may affect a small area, such as a neck muscle, or a larger region, such as the back. They can limit movement and may occur with muscle fatigue, strain, or irritation.
Also called: Muscle Cramp
Myofascial Release is a hands-on massage technique that applies gentle, sustained pressure to the fascia and nearby muscles. The method aims to reduce areas of tension, improve tissue movement, and support more comfortable motion. A practitioner may use fingers, palms, or slow strokes while responding to changes in tissue texture.
Also called: Myofascial Therapy
A nerve root is the segment of a spinal nerve that branches from the spinal cord through an opening between the vertebrae. Each nerve root carries sensory and motor signals between the spinal cord and a specific region of the body. Pressure or irritation near a nerve root may contribute to radiating pain, numbness, or weakness.
Also called: Spinal Nerve Root
Neutral Spine is a balanced position in which the spine keeps its natural curves while the head, shoulders, pelvis, and trunk remain well aligned. The position does not mean a perfectly straight back. It describes an adaptable posture that distributes movement and load across the spine without forcing any area into excessive rounding, arching, or twisting.
Also called: Neutral Spinal Position
Pelvic Floor is a group of muscles, connective tissues, and supporting structures that spans the bottom of the pelvis. These tissues help support pelvic organs and contribute to bladder, bowel, sexual, and postural control. Pregnancy and childbirth can change pelvic mechanics, which may affect comfort, movement, and coordination.
Also called: Pelvic Floor Muscles
Radiculopathy is a nerve-root condition that develops when irritation or compression affects a spinal nerve near the spine. The condition may cause pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along the nerve’s path into an arm or leg. The affected region depends on the involved nerve root and the area of the spine.
Also called: Pinched Nerve
Range of Motion is the available movement of a joint or body part in a specific direction. A physical therapist may assess how far a joint moves actively or with assistance. The finding can describe movement limits, stiffness, or changes during recovery, while pain, swelling, muscle tension, and joint problems may affect the result.
Also called: ROM
Sacroiliac Joint is the connection between the sacrum at the base of the spine and the ilium of the pelvis. This joint transfers forces between the upper body and legs while allowing limited movement. Irritation, restricted motion, or nearby muscle tension can contribute to pain felt in the lower back, buttock, or hip.
Also called: SI Joint
Sciatic Nerve is the body’s largest peripheral nerve, formed by nerve roots in the lower spine and pelvis. It travels through the buttock and down each leg, carrying signals for movement and sensation. Irritation or pressure along this pathway may produce pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness known as sciatica.
Also called: Ischiadic Nerve
Spinal Alignment is the arrangement and movement relationship of the vertebrae, joints, and supporting tissues along the spine. The term describes how these structures relate to one another during standing, sitting, and movement. Chiropractors assess alignment through posture, joint motion, and physical findings, not through appearance alone.
Also called: Vertebral Alignment
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. Changes in bones, discs, joints, or ligaments can contribute to pressure that affects movement, sensation, or strength.
Also called: Narrowing of the Spine
A sprain is a ligament injury caused by stretching or tearing the tough tissue that connects bone to bone at a joint. Sprains commonly affect the ankle, knee, wrist, or thumb after a twist, fall, sudden impact, or awkward landing. Severity can range from mild stretching to a partial or complete tear.
Also called: Ligament Injury
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon caused by overstretching or tearing its fibers. Strains often develop during sports, lifting, sudden movements, or repeated physical stress. Symptoms may include localized pain, tenderness, swelling, weakness, or reduced movement. The injury may affect the muscle, its tendon, or both.
Also called: Muscle Injury
Suboccipital Muscles are small muscles at the base of the skull that connect the upper neck with the head. They help control head position, guide subtle neck movement, and provide sensory information about posture. Tension or tenderness in this area may contribute to neck discomfort or headache patterns that begin near the back of the head.
Also called: Suboccipital Group
The thoracic spine is the middle section of the vertebral column, located between the cervical spine in the neck and the lumbar spine in the lower back. It contains the vertebrae that connect with the ribs and helps support the chest, protect the spinal cord, and coordinate movement between the upper and lower body.
Also called: Mid Back Spine
Trigger Point is a tender, focused area within a muscle or its surrounding connective tissue that may produce pain at the site or in another nearby area when pressure is applied. A trigger point often feels like a tight band or sensitive spot and may affect comfortable movement during massage therapy.
Also called: Muscle Knot
Vertebra is a single bone in the spinal column. Each vertebra helps form the spine, supports the body, and protects sections of the spinal cord. Vertebrae connect through joints, discs, ligaments, and muscles. Their shape and location differ along the neck, mid-back, and lower back, which affects spinal movement.
Also called: Spinal Bone
Work Conditioning is a structured rehabilitation program that prepares a person for job demands through task-based exercise and functional training. The program may address strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination, lifting technique, and body mechanics. Activities reflect the physical requirements of a specific job and support a safe, gradual return to regular work duties.
Also called: Work Conditioning Program
Work Hardening is a structured, job-focused rehabilitation program that builds work tolerance through simulated tasks, graded physical activity, and functional practice. The program links workplace demands to supervised exercises, helping assess and improve performance needed for a specific role. Work Hardening may support a coordinated return-to-work plan after injury.
Also called: Work Hardening Program
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 Hinesville, Georgia, United States about your specific condition before making care decisions. Individual results vary.
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