A

Acetylcholine: a neurotransmitter, serving to transmit information from the nerve cell to the muscle cell at the myoneural junction of striated and smooth muscles.

Angiogenesis: the formation of new blood vessels.

Achilles Tendonitis: The Achilles tendon is the large tendon at the back of the ankle. It connects the large calf muscles (Gastrocnemius and Soleus) to the heal bone (calcaneus). This tendon can become inflamed through overuse as well as a number of contributory factors.

It is estimated that 11% of all running injuries can be due to Achilles tendinitis. The Achilles tendon has a poor blood supply which is why it is slow to heal.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate): a nucleotide, involved in energy metabolism and required to drive the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins, move molecules against concentration gradients and produce mechanical motion (contraction of myofibrils and microtubules).

Arthritis: inflammatory lesions confined to the joints. Marked by pain, heat, redness and swelling, due to inflammation, infection or trauma.

Atherosclerosis: deposits of yellowish plaques (atheromas) containing cholesterol and lipoid (fat) material are formed with in medium and large arteries.

Atherosclerotic Ulcer: ulcer wound formed due to a lack of circulation in an extremity due to atherosclerosis.

B

Beta-endorphins: neuropeptide that bind to opioid receptors in the brain and have potent analgesic (pain-killer) activity.

Bone Spurs (Osteophytes): boney extensions of bone due to the deposit of calcium in areas of chronic physical stress.

Bursa: a sac or saclike cavity filled with a viscid fluid and situated at places in the tissues at which friction would otherwise develop

Bursitis: inflammation of the bursa, sometimes accompanied by calcium deposits.

C

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: pain and numbness in the hand, especially at night, suggest compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. This tunnel is a narrow channel in the palmar aspect of the wrist.

Chondromalacia Patella: degenerative changes to the cartilage lining the under surface of the patella (knee cap) due to abnormal tracking of the patellofemoral joint.

Contusion: a bruise; an injury of a part without a break in the skin.

Cortisol: secreted by the adrenal gland and is the precursor to cortisone.

Cortisone: a hormone secreted by the adrenal gland in small quantities, used as an anti-inflammatory.

Cytokines: are proteins that act as intercellular mediators which helps generate the immune response.

D

Diabetic Neuropathy: is a common complication of diabetes mellitus in which nerves are damaged as a result of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels). People with diabetes commonly develop temporary or permanent damage to nerve tissue. Nerve injuries are caused by decreased blood flow and high blood-sugar levels, and are more likely to develop if blood-glucose levels are poorly controlled.

Diode: a thermionic tube having two electrodes; used as a rectifier.

Discogenic Radioculopathy: pain referred down the course of a nerve as a result of a derangement of an intervertebral disc.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): a nucleic acid that constitutes the genetic material of all cellular organisms and the DNA of viruses.

Dupuytren’s Contracture: nodular thickening of the flexor tendon, usually the fourth or fifth fingers, causing progressive flexion of the finger. Usually seen in musicians, alcoholism has been suggested as one predisposition.

E

Edema: swelling due to poor circulation. Deoxygenated blood pools in the veins of the body, causing fluid to accumulate in the interstitial space between cells.

Epicondylitis: inflammation of the musculotendenous junction at the epicondyle osseous structure of the elbow. Usually due to repetitive sport or occupational activity.

F

Facet Joint Syndrome: inflammation of the facet joints of the spine, causing pain localized and to refer down specific patterns elsewhere in the body.

Fascia: a sheet or band of fibrous connective tissue that lies deep to the skin or forms a covering for muscles and various other organs of the body.

Fasciitis: inflammation of the fascia.

Fibroblasts: a connective tissue cell that proliferates at the site of chronic inflammation causing scar tissue.

Fibromyositis: inflammation of fibromuscular tissue.

Fibromyalgia: often found effecting women who are complaining of both fatigue and generalized musculoskeletal pain. Pain must persist (both sides, above and below the waist) for longer than 3 months. Must also be tenderness at 11 of 18 tender spots. Other symptoms include, fatigue, sleep disturbance, persistent early morning stiffness, paresthesia and headache.

Frozen Shoulder: (Adhesive capsulitis): A frozen shoulder (known also as adhesive capsulitis) is a condition that occasionally occurs in older athletes. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket type joint. The top of the humerus bone (ball) fits into the socket of the shoulder and is called the glenohumeral joint. It is this joint and the surrounding capsule that becomes inflamed. It is thought a frozen shoulder may come on as a result of a previous injury, but also can come on for no apparent reason.

It affects around 3% of the population and is slightly more common in women. Diabetics and people aged over 40 are more likely to be affected.

G

Golfer’s Elbow: inflammation of the medial epicondyle (epicondylitis), due to tendinopathy of the wrist flexor muscles. Pain and tenderness on the inside surface of the elbow.

H

Herniated Disk: (prolapsed intervertebral disc): or Slipped disc is a condition in which, due to a tear in the outer fibrous ring, the central part of the intervertebral disc is protruding into the spinal canal. Most commonly this occurs in the lowermost part of the spine, especially between the fourth and fifth vertebral bodies and between the fifth vetrebral body and the sacrum. This protrusion usually occurs to one side of the spinal canal, at the point where a nerve root leaves the canal.

Herpes Zoster: (shingles) A Varicella-zoster virus infection initially produces chickenpox. Following resolution of the chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the dorsal root ganglia until focal reactivation along a ganglion's distribution results in a painful dermatological condition known as herpes zoster or shingles.

Although the exact precipitants that result in viral reactivation are not currently known, decreased cellular immunity appears to increase the risk of reactivation.

Histamine: found in mast cells, a type of white blood cell. Histamine has several functions including 1. Dilating capillaries, increasing capillary permeability causing a drop in blood pressure. 2. Contraction of smooth muscle of the lung. 3. Increase gastric secretion and 4. Accelerates heart rate.

I

Illiotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome: Inflammation of the ITB is often called Runners Knee. The Illio-tibial band runs down the outside of the thigh. If this becomes tight the tendon starts to rub on the bone at the knee. Eventually this will become inflamed until running becomes very painful. If you rest, the inflammation dies down but when you start to run again, because the band is tight the tendon will once again become inflamed.

Any treatment for Runners knee must be done in conjunction with stretching of the ITB. Sports massage can be particularly helpful for this condition.

Inflammation: a localized protective response elicited by injury or destruction of tissue, which serves to destroy, dilute or wall off both the injurious agent and the injured tissue.

Intervertebral Disc: the fibrous and gelatinous structure found separating vertebral bodies making up the spine.

Intervertebral Foramen (IVF): the canal in which the nerve root coming off the spinal cord exits the spine. Formed by two adjacent vertebrae and the disc separating them.

L

Ligament: fibrous connective tissue used to attach adjacent bones together to form joints.

Lymphatic System: part of the immune system. It is a network of tubes that transports lymph throughout the body carrying with it lymphocytes (white blood cells) to help fight infection and repair damaged tissue.

M

Macrophages: are specialized white blood cell involved in engulfing (phagocytosis) and neutralizing foreign antigens.

Meniscus: semilunar shaped fibrocartilage structure used to act a cushion or shock absorber in the knee joint. Helps the femur glide over the surface of the tibial condyles.

Mitochondria: small spherical to rod shaped components (organelles) found in the cytoplasm of cells. They are the principle sites of the generation of energy (ATP).

Myositis: inflammation of a voluntary muscle.

N

Neuropathy: an abnormal and usually degenerative state of the peripheral nervous system; non-inflammatory lesion of the nervous system. The cause may be know, arsenical, diabetic, ischemic or traumatic neuropathies.

Neurotransmission: the process involving chemical molecules secreted by one nerve cell to stimulate another nerve or muscle cell.

Neurotransmitter: a chemical molecule used to transmit signals of information along adjacent nerve cells or at a neuromuscular junction.

O

Osgood-Schlatter disease: is a painful swelling of the bump on the front of the upper tibia (lower leg bone) in an area called the anterior tibial tubercle. This disease is probably caused by microtrauma (small, usually unnoticed injuries caused by repetitive overuse) which occurs before the complete maturity of the anterior tibial tubercle attachment. The disorder is typified by a painful swelling just below the knee on the front (anterior) surface of the lower leg bone. The area is tender to pressure, and swelling ranges from minimal to very severe. Running, jumping, and climbing stairs cause discomfort. Symptoms occur on one or both legs. The disorder is seen most often in active, athletic adolescents, with boys more frequently affected than girls.

Osteoarthritis: chronic abnormal physical stress on the primarily weight-bearing joints, leading to degenerative changes. Joint space narrowing, bone spur formation, subcondral sclerosis and irregular cartilage are all present.

Osteoporosis: (noun)
Osteoporotic: (adj.) A disease in which the bones become extremely porous, are subject to fracture, and heal slowly, occurring especially in women following menopause and often leading to curvature of the spine from vertebral collapse.

P

Paresthesias: Neurologic symptoms which can include: numbness, tingling, and increased sensitivity. Any abnormality of sensation.

Periostitis: See Shin Splints.

Photon: a unit quantity of light energy.

Plantar fasciitis: is the most common cause of inferior heel pain. Pain on the bottom of the heel, most prominent with the first steps that one takes in the morning, is the hallmark. Pain also occurs with the onset of activity such as walking and running. In severe cases, the pain may occur with any weight bearing. Although the pain usually occurs in the heel, it can radiate throughout the bottom of the foot toward the toes.

Considered a chronic inflammatory syndrome rather than a post-traumatic disorder, plantar fasciitis is common in runners and dancers and in those who experience sudden weight gain and in overweight individuals who increase their activity level.

R

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy: Hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system following trauma. Patient reports having persistent pain and swelling following an episode of trauma.

Repetitive Stress Injury: A type of injury from recurrent stress, often associated with the heavy use of computers. Stress in this context refers to an injury by overuse or improper use.

One of the best-known repetitive stress injuries is the carpal tunnel syndrome, due to pressure on and irritation of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel in the wrist, often from trauma of repetitive work such as that of supermarket checkers, assembly-line workers, typists, word processors, accountants, and writers, etc.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: a chronic systemic disease primarily of the joints, causing inflammation leading to deformity of the joints. Autoimmune mechanisms are postulated.

Rotator Cuff: a group of muscles including the surpraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapulars, teres major and teres minor muscles. These muscles are involved in external rotation and abduction motion of the shoulder.

S

Serotonin: molecule that serves many functions, as a neurotransmitter, inhibits gastric secretion, stimulates smooth muscle and it is a precursor to the formation of melatonin.

Shin Splints: (Periostitis) Shin splints is the name given to pain at the front of the lower leg. The most common cause is inflammation of the periostium of the tibia (sheath surrounding the bone).

Shin splints is an overuse injury and can be caused by running on hard surfaces or running on tip toes. It is also common in sports where a lot of jumping is involved. If you over pronate then you are also more susceptible to this injury.

Shingles: (See also Herpes Zoster) an acute viral inflammation of the sensory ganglia of spinal and cranial nerves associated with a vesicular eruption and neuralgic pain and caused by reactivation of the herpes virus causing chicken pox – also called zoster, zona.

Stasis Dermatitis: are skin changes caused by fluid build-up under the skin. Varicose veins, congestive heart failure, and other conditions can cause swelling of the extremities, especially the feet and ankles. This swelling is caused when plasma (the fluid portion of blood) leaks out of the blood vessels and into the tissues. The excess fluid in the tissues interferes with the blood's ability to feed the tissue cells and dispose of cellular waste products. The tissue becomes poorly nourished and fragile, resulting in stasis dermatitis. The disorder is common on the ankles because there is less supportive tissue in this area. In stasis dermatitis, the skin becomes thin and inflamed, and open ulcers may form and heal slowly. The skin may darken. The skin, initially thin, may later thicken, perhaps because of itching and scratching of the area.

Sympathetic Nervous System: part of the autonomic nervous system. Works antagonistically with the parasympathetic nervous system. Involved in controlling all the glands and organs of the body through involuntary control.

Synovial fluid: a viscous fluid secreted by the synovial membrane used to lubricate joint cavities, bursae and tendon sheaths.

Synovitis: inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint.

T

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ): the temporal bone and the mandible making up joint of the jaw.

Tendon: fibrous connective tissue used to attach muscle to bone.

Tendonitis: inflammation of the tendons and of the tendon-muscle attachments.

Tennis Elbow: inflammation of the lateral epicondyle (epicondylitis) due to tendinopathy of the wrist extensor muscles. Pain and tenderness on the outside surface of the elbow.

V

Venostasis: an abnormal slowing or stoppage of the flow of blood in a vein.

Venous Stasis: the stagnation of blood in the venous system of the body, resulting in poor circulation and edema (swelling).

Vertebrogenic Radioculopathy: pain referred down the course of a nerve as a result of degenerative changes to the structure of the vertebral body. Usually due to a bone spur or stenosis of the intervertebral foramen.