Glossary

A

Achilles Tendonitis
A term used to describe an inflammation of the paratenon —a sheath surrounding the Achilles tendon. Achilles Tendonitis is often caused by overuse or repetitive strain and commonly occurs in triathletes and runners.

Active Isolated Stretching
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is one of the methods of stretching most used by today's athletes, massage therapists, personal/athletic trainers, and professionals. Active Isolated Stretching allows the body to repair itself and also to prepare for daily activity. The Active Isolated Stretching technique involves the method of holding each stretch for only two seconds. This method of stretching is also known to work with the body's natural physiological makeup to improve circulation and increase the elasticity of muscle joints and fascia.

Adhesions
Normally, soft-tissues structures are often joined together by tough adhesive fibers. These are stable, strong structures. When adhesions form abnormally due to injuries, they can cause restrictions in movements and lead to further soft-tissue injuries.

Amplitude
From a human biomechanics perspective, amplitude is a measurement of the degree of motion.

Antagonists
Muscles whose actions oppose or counteract that of another set of muscles. For example, triceps are the antagonists of biceps.

Anti-inflammatory
Any medication that can decrease inflammation or swelling within soft tissues.

ART–Active Release Techniques
ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART.

ART–Treatment Protocols
Very specific soft tissue adjustments performed to reintroduce normal movement and function in and between different soft tissue structures of the body.

ART–Credentialed Providers
While anyone can claim to practice Active Release Techniques, the protocols are so specific that only a credentialed practitioner that is well versed in their application will get the desired results.

Active Rest
A common and effective treatment for many overuse injuries. Active rest involves performing light exercises (often swimming or cycling) that stimulate the recovery process without imposing undue stress on the injured body part.

B

Biochemical
The biological and chemical changes that take place within the human body in response to environmental and physical changes.

Biomechanical Analysis, Human
The study and evaluation of human motion with the goal of understanding how structures within the body affect each other. The study of biomechanics uses the principles of physics and mechanical engineering to find solutions to physical problems.

Bursa
A bursa is a fibrous sac lined with synovial membrane and containing a small quantity of synovial fluid (joint fluid). Bursas function to facilitate fluid movement. Bursas act as a pad between tendons, bones, skin, and muscles.

Bursitis
The inflammation of a bursa.

C

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is traditionally described as a compression of the median nerve at the wrist. This compression can result in feelings of numbness, tingling, weakness, or muscle atrophy in the hand and fingers. Also another name for Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).

Cartilage
Cartilage is the body’s natural shock absorber, and enables your joints to support your weight when you bend, stretch, walk and run. There are different types of cartilage in the body: Articular (sometimes called hyaline) cartilage covers the surfaces of your joints; Fibrocartilage is found around your knees and spine.

Cauda equina
A bundle of spinal nerve roots that arise from the termination points of the spinal cord. The cauda equina makes up the root of all the spinal nerves that originate below the first lumbar vertebrae.

Chondromalacia
Chondromalacia patella is a common cause of kneecap pain or anterior knee pain. Often called "Runner's Knee," this condition often affects young, otherwise healthy athletes. Chondromalacia is due to an irritation of the undersurface of the kneecap.

Circulatory system
The circulatory system is responsible for the transport of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to all the cells of the body. Restrictions which inhibit the flow of blood have an immediate impact on soft-tissue function.

Clavicle
Also known as the collarbone, to which the muscles of the neck and shoulder attach.

Cortisone (corticosteroids)
Cortisone drugs are very powerful anti-inflammatory agents that are used to reduce inflammation and suppress activity of the immune system. They are the synthetic analogs or the natural cortisone that is produced by the body.

Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD)
Another name for Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).

Cumulative Injury Cycle
A closed loop series of events that describes the stages of any trauma. Weak and tight tissues cause internal friction-pressure and tension. This causes decreased circulation and edema (swelling). Adhesion and fibrosis occur as a result of the decreased oxygen available. When the friction-pressure-tension factor is severe enough, tearing or crushing can occur either by external or increased internal forces. Inflammation results from the tissue injury and begins the adhesion process, leading to weak and tight tissues. Here the cycle would begin repeating itself.

D

Diagnosis
The process by which a practitioner can determine the nature of a disease or dysfunction. The conclusion of this process is known as a diagnosis.

Dorsiflexion
To bend the foot upwards.

E

Edema
Describes the presence of an abnormally large amount of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces of the body. Edema often occurs with soft-tissue injuries that have caused inflammation and which have reduced circulation to the affected areas.

Ergonomics
Utilizing the concept of efficient and effective human motion during activities to increase performance and decrease the potential for injury, fitting the task at hand to the individual.

Eversion
The inward rolling of the foot during gait.

F

Fascia
The flat layers of fibrous tissue that separate different layers of soft tissue. Fascia should be smooth and slippery to allow easy translation of soft-tissue layers over each other. Adhesions binding these tissue layers cause fascia to become rough, causing restricted motions, increased friction, and the exacerbation of the Cumulative Injury Cycle.

Femur
A large bone in the thigh that connects to and articulates with the pelvis above and the knee below.

Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes restriction of motion in the shoulder joint. The cause of a frozen shoulder is not well understood, but it often occurs for no known reason. Frozen shoulder causes the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint to contract and form scar tissue.

Fulcrum
A point in the body against which a structure can act as a lever, or against which it can turn, lift or move the body.

Functional Core Stability
The intrinsic strength of the neutralizing and stabilizing muscles of the spine. The ability of the torso to remain supportive and stable with or without limb movement.

H

Heel Spurs
Patients and doctors often confuse the terms heel spur and plantar fasciitis. While these two diagnoses are related, they are not the same. Plantar fasciitis refers to the inflammation of the plantar fascia--the tissue that forms the arch of the foot. A heel spur is a hook of bone that can form on the heel bone (calcaneus) and is associated with plantar fasciitis.

Hypoxia
A condition where oxygen supply to tissues is reduced to below optimal levels. Hypoxia frequently occurs when tissues are inflamed or restricted.

Headaches
Many times the underlying cause of headaches is due to the inordinate amount of structural stress caused by postural distortion and all its implications. Active Release Techniques is very effective for this condition.

I

Immobilization
The act of rendering all or part of the body immobile, whether accidentally or deliberately.

Impingement (Impingement Syndrome)
Impingement syndrome describes a condition where there is a mechanical obstruction (impingement) between soft-tissue structures.

Incontinence
The inability to control excretory functions, such as defecation (fecal incontinence) or urination (urinary incontinence).

Inversion
The outward rolling of the foot during gait.

ITBS
Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS or ITBFS, for iliotibial band friction syndrome[1]) is a common injury to the thigh, generally associated with running, cycling, hiking or weight-lifting (especially squats). ITBS is one of the leading causes of lateral knee pain in runners. The iliotibial tract is a superficial thickening of tissue on the outside of the thigh, extending from the outside of the pelvis, over the hip and knee, and inserting just below the knee. The band is crucial to stabilizing the knee during running, moving from behind the femur to the front while walking. The continual rubbing of the band over the lateral femoral epicondyle, combined with the repeated flexion and extension of the knee during running may cause the area to become inflamed.

K

Kinetic Chain
All the neurological and soft-tissue structures that are associated with, or whose actions affect, another structure in the body. Every muscle, ligament, tendon, nerve and fascia has its own unique chain of structures that affect its function. Restrictions in the structures of the kinetic chain can have a cascading effect on other structures and upon general body biomechanics.

Kneecap
Also known as the patella. The kneecap is a common site of repetitive stress injuries.

L

Lateral
Describes a structure lying on the outer side of the body or away from the midline of the body.

Ligaments
Bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones and cartilage, and serve to support and strengthen joints.

M

Medial
Describes structures that lie towards the center of the body.

Meniscus
A circular-shaped cartilege in your knee that acts as a shock absorber helping to spread out the weight that is transferred (during gait) from the femur to the tibia.

MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging is used to obtain images of soft-tissue structures.

mRNA
This is a type of RNA that is found in all cells. mRNA is a copy of a single protein-coding gene in your genome and acts as a template for protein synthesis. Each mRNA provided a unique template for generating a specific protein structure. Anything which interferes with mRNA production or function will directly affect your body’s ability to build muscle and repair damaged cell walls. It will also cause an increase in fibroblast cells, which help to lay down scar tissue, forming adhesions.

Myofascial Tissues
Tissues that are part of, or that are related to, the fascia that surrounds and separates layers of muscle.

Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a very effective hands-on technique that provides sustained pressure into myofascial restrictions to eliminate pain, restore motion, and balance the body. The fascia is manipulated directly or indirectly to allow the connective tissue fibers to reorganize themselves in a more flexible, functional fashion.

N

Nerve Entrapments
The brain and spinal cord receive and send information through muscles and sensory receptors. The information sent to organs is transmitted through nerves. The nerves travel to the upper and lower extremities and traverse the various joints along their paths. Unfortunately, these nerves can become compressed or entrapped at various regions of the extremities.

Nerve Flossing
Nerve flossing refers to techniques that restore the relative motion between a nerve and its surrounding tissue. Nerve flossing can be accomplished through ART protocols or by specific exersizes.

Nerve Sliding
Describes the normal sliding or movement of nerves between layers of muscle and connective tissue.

Neuromuscular
Pertaining to both muscles and nerves.

NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that are used to temporarily relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation. NSAIDs can cause a number of side effects, some of which may be very serious. These side effects are more likely when the drugs are taken in large doses or for a long time or when two or more NSAIDs are taken together.

O

Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Osgood-Schlatter (say: "oz-good shlot-ter") disease is one of the most common causes of knee pain in young athletes. It causes swelling, pain and tenderness just below the knee, over the shin bone (also called the tibia). It occurs mostly in boys who are having a growth spurt during their pre-teen or teenage years. One or both knees may be affected.

Osteoporosis
A reduction in the amount of bone mass. Reduced bone mass leads to fractures after even minimal trauma, and is a leading cause of physical dysfunction in North America.

P

Paratenon
A connective sheath that surrounds the Achilles tendon.

Patella
The technical term for knee cap. The patella is a common site of repetitive strain injuries.

Peripheral Nerves
The peripheral nerves are responsible for relaying information from your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to muscles and other organs. When entrapped by restrictions, injury, or trauma, patients may experience loss of function, tingling, or pain in their extremities.

Phalen’s Test
The development of carpal tunnel syndrome is frequently the result of prolonged exposure to a risky work environment that puts undue strain on the tendons and nerves in the carpal tunnel of your wrist. The Phalen's test is one of the more common physical examinations used by doctors to determine if a patient is suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Piriformis Syndrome
A neuromuscular disorder that occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or otherwise irritated by the piriformis muscle causing pain, tingling and numbness in the buttocks and along the sciatic nerve. There is no definitive way to diagnose the syndrome which may result from anatomical variations in the muscle-nerve relationship, or from overuse or strain.

Periodization
A very basic training concept that operates under the idea that the only way the body will strengthen and grow is to very methodically change training factors such as intensity and format. Developed form the idea that no one can "peak" all year round and that we actually will see better gains if we do not let the body settle into the same routine day after day, week after week, etc.

Plantar Fascia
The plantar fascia is a thin band of fibrous tissue that runs from the calcaneus (heel bone) to the base of the toes.

Plantar Fascitis
Plantar Fascitis is most often described as an inflammation of the plantar aponeurosis or plantar fascia.

Plantar Flexion
The act of pointing your toes.

Pronated
The inward rolling of the foot or hand. If the wrist is in a pronated position the palm would be face down.

Proprioception
Describes the body’s ability to react appropriately (through balance and touch) to external forces. Tissue restrictions cause changes in the body’s biomechanics, which in turn affects your sense of balance.

Pseudo
False or mimicked symptoms of a more commonly known dysfunction.

Q

Quadriceps
A group of four muscles at the front of your thigh: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vasuts medialis. These muscles act as your secondary hip flexors. Your primary hip flexors are your psoas and iliacus muscles.

R

RNA
An acronym for ribonucleic acid. RNA acts as an intermediary, transcribing the DNA to generate a template that is used for the creation of proteins.

Rotator Cuff
The rotator cuff is a tendon formed by four distinct muscles: subscapularis, infraspinatus, teres minor, and supraspinatus. These muscles stabilize the head of the humerus within the shoulder joint.

RSI
The acronym for Repetitive Strain Injury.

Runner’s Knee
See Chondromalacia.

S

Scapula
The technical term for shoulder blade.

Sequestered Disc
When material from a spinal disc completely separates from the parent disc and floats independently in the spinal channel.

Shin Bone
The common term for tibia. This large bone lies between the knee and foot and supports 70% of the body’s weight.

Soft Tissues
Soft tissues refers to muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, fascia, and circulatory and lymphatic structures.

Soft Tissue Injury
Trauma to the tissues of the body which includes ligaments, muscles, tendons, fascia, nerves and blood vessels. This causes adhesions to form in and between these structures, which diminishes healthy movement and function. They are best treated with Active Release Techniques soft tissue management protocols.

Supinating
A rolling motion to the outside edge of the foot during a step. If you are supinating your wrist, the palm would end face up.

Symptomatic Relief
Treatments which only treat the symptoms rather than the cause of injury.

Sprain
A sprain is an injury involving the stretching or tearing of a ligament (tissue that connects bone to bone) or a joint capsule, which help provide joint stability. A severely damaged ligament or joint capsule can cause instability in a joint. Symptoms may include pain, inflammation, and in some cases, the inability to move a limb (arm, leg, foot). Sprains occur when a joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion, such as turning or rolling your ankle.

Strain
Strains are injuries that involve the stretching or tearing of a musculo-tendinous (muscle and tendon) structure. An acute (instant or recent) strain of the musculo-tendinous structure occurs at the junction where the muscle is becoming a tendon. These strains take place when a muscle is stretched and suddenly contracts, as with running or jumping. This type of injury is frequently seen in runners who strain their hamstrings. Many times the injury will occur suddenly while the runner is in full stride. Symptoms for an acute muscle strain may include pain, muscle spasm, loss of strength, and limited range of motion.
Chronic (long-lasting) strains are injuries that gradually build up from overuse or repetitive stress, resulting in tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon). For example, a tennis player may get tendinitis in his or her shoulder as the result of constant stress from repeated serves.

T

Tendonitis
Inflammation of a tendon and/or the tendons attachment point with a muscle.. This condition is rare. The tendon is more likely to have a condition known as tendonosis.

Tendonosis
Tendonosis is a degenerative, noninflammatory repetitive stress injury of tendon fibers. A common condition; often mislabeled as tendonitis.

Tendons
Tendons are extremely strong cords of connective tissue that connect muscle to bone, and are the termination point of muscles.

Tibia
The technical term for shin bone.