Rehabilitation Vocab

Accessory movement

A joint movement that's necessary for a full range of motion but not under direct control.

Closed kinematic chain

Physical activity in which the terminal end of a body segment is involved in functional forces.

Contraindication

Any condition that renders a particular line of treatment improper or undesirable.

Conversion

An unconscious defense mechanism by which the anxiety stems from intrapsychic conflict is altered and expressed in a symbolic physical symptom.

Corticosteroids

Hormones produced by the adrenal cortex.

Coupling medium

Facilitates the transmission of ultrasound energy from the machine head to tissues.

Cryokinetics

Combination of cryotherapy with exercise.

Cryotherapy

Technique that uses extremely cold liquids or instruments to freeze and destroy abnormal skin cells that require removal.

Dynamometer

Instrument for measuring the force of muscular contraction.

Effleurage

Stroking movement in massage.

Electrical Simulation

Use of electric current to affect a tissue.

Friction massage

Systemic therapeutic stroking or kneading of the body.

Gate control theory

Hypothesis proposed to explain the highly variable and non-linear relationship between severity of injury and subjective experience.

Ice immersion

Technique for administering cold treatments to distal extremities with a mixture of ice.

Ice massage

Application of ice for a therapeutic effect.

Indication

Sign or circumstance that points to or shows the cause, treatment, or some other aspect of the disease.

Iontophoresis

Introduction of ions of soluble salts into the body by electrical current.

Isokinetic

Of concentric or eccentric contraction of a muscle in which speed and tension are constant throughout the range.

Isometric

Maintaining or being at the same length.

Isotonic

Of equal tension; denoting solutions possessing the same osmotic pressure.

Kinesthesia

Sense by which position, weight, and movement are perceived.

Low-Level Laser Therapy

Use of low-intensity light to stimulate body tissues, relieve inflammation and pain.

Massage

Systematic therapeutic stroking or kneading of the body.

Modality

Form of application or employment for a therapeutic agent or regimen.

Open kinematic chain

Combination of successively arranged joints in which the terminal segment can move freely.

Paraffin bath

Dip treatment of hot paraffin wax used to encourage relaxation and relieve pain.

Petrissage

A manipulation in massage, consisting of kneading of muscles.

Phonophoresis

Transdermal introduction of a topical agent into the body using mechanical energy supplied by ultrasound.

Physiological movement

Movement normally executed by muscles under voluntary control.

Proprioception

Perception mediated by proprioceptors or proprioceptive tissues; usually subconscious awareness of body movement and position.

Radiation

Structure made up of parts that go outward from a center, especially a tract of the CNS made up of fibers that go out in different directions.

Rehabilitation

The action of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy.

Tapotement

Tapping manipulation in massage.

TENS

Condition of being stimulated.

Therapeutic

Relating to therapeutics; tending to overcome disease and promote recovery.

Thermotherapy

Applying heat to the body for therapeutic purposes.

Traction

A pull to the arm or leg muscles to bring a bone back into place.

Ultrasound treatment

Treatment modality used to provide deep heating to soft tissues in the body.

Vapo-coolant spray

Topical cold application sprays.