Words I don't know

Achilles Tendon

The large tendon connecting the heel bone to the calf muscle of the leg

Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles Tendonitis is inflammation, irritation and swelling of the Achilles tendon

Acute

Either or both of (a) a rapid onset (b) a short course (as opposed to a chronic course)

Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation of one or more joints resulting in pain, swelling and limited movement. Arthritis involves the breakdown of cartilage.

Cartilage normally protects the joint allowing for smooth movement and absorbs shock when pressure is placed on the joint ie when you walk.

Without the usual amount of cartilage, the bones rub together, causing pain, swelling (inflammation) and stiffness

Ball and Socket

Has flexibility due to a domed bone that turns in a cavity of the same shape. The hip, a joint between the waist and top of the thigh on the side of the body is a good example of a ball and socket joint

Bone Bruise

An inflammation or small fractures in the outer layers of the tissue that cover the bone. A bone bruise is a sharply painful injury caused by the direct impact of a hard object or surface on the bone. Bruises are often caused by falls, sports injuries, car accidents or blows received by other people or objects. Often there doesn't seem to be any discoloration or swelling and they can hurt for several weeks

Cartilage

Firm, rubbery tissue that cushions bones at joints. A more flexible kind of cartilage connects muscles with bones and makes up parts of the body such as the larynx and the outside parts of the ear

Cartilaginous Joints

Flexible joints due to an elastic tissue (cartilage). Each of the bones in the spinal column or vertebrae are examples of such a joint

Chronic

Long-lasting or recurrent. The term chronic describes the course of the disease, or its rate of onset and development

Coccyx

The spine’s tailbone or the final segment of the human spine

Core Stability

Core stability describes the ability to control the position and movement of the central portion of the body. Core stability training targets the muscles deep within the abdomen which connect to the spine, pelvis and shoulders, which assist in the maintainance of good posture and provide the foundation
for all arm and leg movements

Discs

The discs are made of strong rubber-like tissue, which allows the spine to be fairly flexible

Discal

Pertaining to, or resembling, a disc; as, discal cells

Dynamic Stretch

Involves moving parts of your body and gradually increasing reach and speed of movement

Endorphins

A morphine (opiate) like substance originating from within the body. Endorphins work as ‘natural pain relievers’ that are produced in the pituitary gland and hypothalamus during strenuous exercise, excitement and orgasm. They resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a sense of well-being

Ergonomics/Bio-Technology

Applied science of equipment design intended to maximise productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort

Fallen Arches

Fallen arches are a breaking down of the arches of the foot either longitudinal, transverse or both; the resulting deformity is flat (longitudinal) or splay (transverse) foot or both

Fascia

The fascia is a flat band of tissue below the skin that covers the underlying tissues and separates different layers of tissue. Fascia encloses muscles. Inflammation of the fascia is referred to as fasciitis

Fatigue

Tiredness in humans

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain. More common in women than in men, fibromyalgia was known by other names such as fibrositis, chronic muscle pain syndrome, psychogenic rheumatism and tension myalgias

Flexor Surface

The areas of the skin that touch when a joint bends are called the flexor surfaces eg the inner arm when the elbow is bent. The parts of the skin on the opposite side of the joint are called the extensor surfaces eg the outer arm when the elbow is bent

Fracture

Condition where a bone is cracked or broken

Heel Spur

A heel spur is a hook of bone that can form on the heel bone and is associated with plantar fasciitis. A heel spur develops as an abnormal growth of the heel bone. Calcium deposits form when the plantar fascia pulls away from the heel area, causing a bony protrusion, or heel spur to develop. The plantar fascia is a broad band of fibrous tissue located along the bottom surface of the foot that runs from the heel to the forefoot. Heel spurs can cause extreme pain in the rearfoot, especially while standing or walking

Herniated Disk

A disk herniates (ruptures) when part of the center pushes through the outer edge of the disk putting pressure on the nerves. Spinal nerves are very sensitive to even slight amounts of pressure. Symptoms include: a burning pain centered in the neck, weakness in one leg, tingling or numbness in one leg or buttock, loss of bladder or bowel control

Hinged Joint

A joint that is flexible in only one direction. The elbow (connects the forearm to the upper arm) is a hinge joint; it can open and close like a door. "Extend" means to straighten the joint and "flex" means to bend the joint

Immovable Joints

These joints are fixed and do not allow flexibility. The skull, the boney case of the brain, is one example of an immovable joint

Inflexibility

Inability to reach full range of movement

Joint

Junction of two bones that permits movement

Ligaments

A sheet or band of tough, fibrous tissue connecting bones or cartilages at a joint or supporting an organ

Lumbar

Lower portion of the spine, incorporating 5 lumbar vertebrae between the diaphragm and pelvis (L1 – 5)

Metatarsal

The long bones in the mid-foot

Metatarsal Cushions

Padding placed near the top of the metatarsal bones in order to redistribute the weight from the metatarsal heads to the shaft

Mobility

The state of being in motion

Morton's Neuroma

A neuroma is a noncancerous (benign) growth of nerve tissue that can develop in various parts of your body. Morton's Neuroma occurs in a nerve in your foot, often between your third and fourth toes. The condition isn't a true tumor, but instead involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the digital nerves leading to your toes. It causes a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot and your toes also may sting, burn or feel numb. Also called plantar neuroma or intermetatarsal neuroma, Morton's Neuroma may occur in response to irritation, injury or pressure — such as from wearing tightfitting shoes, however it may also occur for unknown reasons

Muscles

A tissue composed of fibers capable of contracting to effect bodily movement. A muscle may also be a special bundle of tissue which moves a particular bone, part or substance of the body. The lower back is made up of muscles that attach to and surround the spine. The various muscles that are attached to the spine enable the spine to bend and move in various ways

Myofaciitis

Pain or other dysfunctions in the network of muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft connective tissue that holds our bodies together. The pain may start abruptly or gradually

Neurons

electrically excitable cells in the nervous system that process and transmit information.

Nerve

Cable that conveys electrical messages to the entire body

Oedema

Fluid retention (mainly water) in the body’s tissues causing swelling to occur in the affected area

Orthotics

Shoe inserts that are intended to correct an abnormal or irregular walking pattern by making standing, walking and running more comfortable and efficient by altering the angles at which the foot strikes a walking or running surface. Not simply “arch supports”

Osteoarthritis

Also called degenerative joint disease. A form of arthritis, occurring mainly in older people that is characterized by chronic degeneration of the cartilage of the joints. It may only strike one joint or may affect any joint in your body including those in your fingers, hips, knees, lower back and feet

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time and is the most common type of bone disease. Osteoporosis occurs when the body fails to form enough new bone or when too much old bone is reabsorbed by the body or both. Calcium and phosphate are two minerals that are essential for normal bone formation. Throughout youth, the body uses these minerals to produce bones. If calcium intake is not sufficient, or if the body does not absorb enough calcium from the diet, bone production and bone tissues may suffer.

As people age, calcium and phosphate may be reabsorbed back into the body from the bones, which makes the bone tissue weaker. Both situations can result in brittle, fragile bones that are subject to fractures, even without trauma. Usually, the loss occurs gradually over years

Overpronation

When the feet roll inward too much

Plantar Fascia

The plantar fascia is a long band of fibers that go from the bottom of the heel bone to the beginning of the toes. The plantar fascia helps support your arches and provides shock absorption for the bottom of the foot

Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia. It is a common cause of heel pain, especially in older adults and athletes such as runners. Healing time depends on the activities or problems that caused it. It may take weeks to months of treatment for your plantar fasciitis to go away

Posture

Good posture is the stance which is attained when the joints are not bent and the spine is aligned and not twisted

Pronation

The inward (medial) roll of the foot and in particular the heel and arch which occurs naturally at the heel strike as a cushioning mechanism
(See also overpronation)

Propreoception

The ability to balance

Quadriceps Muscle

Group of the four prevailing muscles on the front of the thigh. They attach to the front of the tibia and originate at the top of the femur and are crucial in walking, running, jumping and squatting

REM

(Rapid Eye Movement) The normal stage of sleep characterized by rapid movements of the eyes

Repetitive Motion

Any motion done over and over again or for a prolonged period of time. This includes many activities such as standing, sitting or typing. On average, your body can tolerate being in one position for about 20 minutes before you feel the need to adjust

Sciatica

Occurs when a herniated disk comes in contact with the sciatic nerve causing sharp, shooting pain through the buttocks and back of the leg

Semi-Mobile Joints

These types of joints have very restricted mobility, an example of this are the ribs; the bones of the thoracic cage. Another would be a vertebra; each of the bones in the spinal column

Sesamoid Bones

Two floating bones located under the big toe known as sesamoid joints.

They have 3 main functions are to modify pressure, diminish friction and alter direction of muscle pull

Severs Disease

Sever's Disease occurs in children when the growing part of the heel is injured. This growing part is called the growth plate. The foot is one of the first body parts to grow to full size and usually occurs in early puberty. During this time, bones often grow faster than muscles and tendons. As a result muscles and tendons become tight. The heel area is less flexible. During weight-bearing activity (activity performed while standing), the tight heel tendons may put too much pressure at the back of the heel where the Achilles Tendon attaches which can injure the heel. Sever's disease is most common in physically active girls 8 to 10 years old and boys 10 to 12 years old

Shin Splints

Shin splints are pains in the front of the lower legs caused by exercise. They usually appear after a period of relative inactivity

Somatosensory

Consists of the various sensory receptors that trigger the experiences labeled as touch or pressure, temperature (warm or cold), pain (including itch and tickle), and the sensations of muscle movement and joint position including posture, movement, and facial expression

Spinal Cord

Connects to the brain and feeds the nerve supply to the entire body

Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal cord that causes nerve pinching leading to continual pain in the buttocks, limping and lack of feeling in the lower extremities

Spine

The backbone/vertebrael column which anatomically protects the spinal cord

Static Stretch

Where one stretches to the end of range and then holds the stretch

Strength

Ability to exert force on physical objects using muscles

Stretch

A deliberate act of lengthening the muscle to improve flexibility and range of movement

Tendon

A band of tough, inelastic fibrous tissue that connects a muscle and bone

Varicose Veins

Twisted, widened veins caused by swollen or enlarged blood vessels. The blood vessels have enlarged due to a weakening in the vein wall or valve

Vertebrae

The spine is made up of many bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are roughly circular and between each vertebra is a 'disc'

Vestibular

Relating to the sense of equilibrium; relating to the vestibule of the inner ear; relating to the Vestibular nerve

Vestibular System

Also known as the balance system – the sensory system that provides the dominant input about our movement and orientation in space