Chiropractors Glossary

CHIROPRACTORS GLOSSARY

Sometimes I forget that words that I use everyday are not all the same as the ones you use everyday. So the following is a list of a few of the words I might use when talking to you. If you ever have questions about other words you hear from me, please ask me what they mean.

ACUTE: Of short duration and relatively severe.

ATLAS: The uppermost bone of the spine, and the most freely moveable.

CERVICAL: Referring to the 7 bones of the neck.

CHRONIC: Persisting for a long period of time.

DISC: A cushion/pad that separates spinal vertebrae, absorbs shock to the spine, and helps protect the nervous system.

FIXATION: An area of the spine or specific joint with stuck or restricted motion.

LUMBAR: Referring to the lowest 5 bones of the spine (above the pelvis).

PALPATION: examining the spine by hand.

 PELVIS: The base of the spine below the lumbar spine. This includes the bone called the sacrum, often called the tailbone.

 THORACIC: Referring to the 12 bones of the spine from the base of the neck to about 6” above the waist.

VERTEBRA: Any of the individual bones of the spine.