As you begin your chiropractic care, you may encounter some new words. Here are some commonly used terms and their meanings:

Acute- Of short duration and relatively severe.

Atlas- The uppermost and most freely movable bone of the spine.

Biomechanics-The application of mechanical laws to living structures.

Cervical-The vertebrae of the neck, usually seven bones.

Chronic-Persisting for a long period of time.

Disc-A cartilage (cushion/pad) that separates spinal vertebrae, absorbs shocks to the spine,and protects the nerve system.

Facet-The actual joint surface of a spinal bone, facing the adjacent bone above or below.

Fixation-Being held in a fixed position. An area of the spine or specific joint with restricted movement.

Health-A state of optimal physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.

Intervertebral Foramina-The lateral opening through which spinal nerve roots exit the spinal column.

Lumbar-The vertebrae of the lower back, usually five bones.

Palpation-Examining the spine with your fingers; the art of feeling with the hand.

Range of Motion-The range, measured in degrees of a circle, through which a joint can be moved.

Sacrum- The triangular bone at the base of the spine.

Spinous Process-A posterior protruding part of a spinal bone that can be seen or felt when examining the spine.

Thoracic-Pertaining to the part of the spinal column from the base of the neck to about six inches above the waistline.

Transverse Process-Lateral protrusions (wings) of bone from the vertebrae to which powerful muscles and ligaments attach.

Vertebra-Any of the individual bones of the spinal column.

Whiplash-An injury to the spine caused by an abrupt jerking motion, either backward, forward, or sideways.