Glossary of Terms for Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
the outer, fibrous, rubberband-like structure of the intervertebral disc.
an abnormality or irregularity in formation
same as herniated disc, slipped disc, ruptured disc - a condition in which the inner part of the intervertebral disc called the nucleus pulposus pushes through the outer containing fibers of the disc called the annulus fibrosus. This bulging of the inner nucleus into the annulus fibrosus can take two forms. If the nucleus is held within the annulus fibrosus, the process is termed a contained disc, and sometimes referred to as a disc protrusion or herniation. If the annulus fibrosus tears and allows the inner nucleus pulposus to escape through the annulus fibrosus it is called a non-contained disc herniation and often called a ruptured or fragmented disc.
numbness of the perineum (genital area) or loss of bowel and bladder control. Because paralysis is eminent, surgery must be considered.
the topmost segment of the spinal column upon which the head sits that allows flexion, extension, rotation and other movements of the head
a well researched, pain relieving, gentle, non-force chiropractic spinal manipulation and decompression adjustment to relieve pain, drop intradiscal pressures, open the spinal canal space, increase the disc's height and realign spinal segments. Read more about the Cox Technic.
same as slipped disc, bulging disc, ruptured disc - a condition in which the inner part of the intervertebral disc called the nucleus pulposus pushes through the outer containing fibers of the disc called the annulus fibrosus. This bulging of the inner nucleus into the annulus fibrosus can take two forms. If the nucleus is held within the annulus fibrosus, the process is termed a contained disc, and sometimes referred to as a disc protrusion or herniation. If the annulus fibrosus tears and allows the inner nucleus pulposus to escape through the annulus fibrosus it is called a non-contained disc herniation and often called a ruptured or fragmented disc.
the spongy cushion between the bones/vertebrae of the spine that acts as a shock absorber for the spine
used with physiotherapy modality (galvanic electric current) to drive out inflammation and sedate nerves
ossification (ligaments turn to bone) of the posterior longitudinal ligament
Ligamentum flavum connects the back of one vertebral bone to the vertebra adjacent
to it. The ligamentum flava are the series of elastic bands that run
throughout the spine from the cervical spine segment C2 to the sacrum
segment S1, keeping us upright. The ligamentum flavum is quite elastic
and remains taut throughout the spine as it connects from one vertebral
bone's facet capsule and lamina to another.
Cervical spine ligamentum flava are thin, thoracic are thicker, and lumbar are thickest. Ligamentum flava fill in the spinal canal arc inside the vertebral bodies of the spinal column. (See the white arrows on the image to the left.) These bands may become abnormally thickened, causing pain due to a condition known as ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. |
Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (thickening) is a degenerative spinal condition often occurring in the elderly as a result of stresses placed upon it due to aging changes in the spine such as disc degeneration and disc herniation and joint arthritis. It causes the spinal canal to narrow which results in spinal nerve compression and irritation. Since the ligamentum flavum lies in the back part of the spinal vertebral canal, it fills the vertebral canal behind the vertebral body. |
the lower segment of the spinal column allowing flexion, extension, side bending, and twisting of the spine
severe headache accompanied by symptoms like light sensitivity, nausea, sound sensitivity
severe compression of the spinal cord resulting in severe symptoms requiring co-management and possible cervical spine decompression surgery; spinal cord compression
The gel-like center of an intervertebral disc made up of 80% water. It is surrounded and contained by the annulus fibrosus which prevents this material from protruding outside the disc space.
(as in organic disease) - relating to the organs of the body, specifically to basic changes in them brought about by physical disorders
worsening symptoms like losing your ability to lift your foot to walk or grip a hairbrush
“false” - as in pseudospondylolisthesis meaning false spondylolisthesis because pseudospondylolisthesis does not have a fracture of the pars like spondylolisthesis does, yet it has similar symptomatology.
pain that radiates down an extremity (arm or leg) along a specific nerve path
inflammation of a portion of the spinal nerve root resulting in pain that travels along the nerve's path in the body from the spinal cord.
the backward slippage of one vertebra onto the vertebra immediately below
same as herniated disc, bulging disc, slipped disc - a condition in which the inner part of the intervertebral disc called the nucleus pulposus pushes through the outer containing fibers of the disc called the annulus fibrosus. This bulging of the inner nucleus into the annulus fibrosus can take two forms. If the nucleus is held within the annulus fibrosus, the process is termed a contained disc, and sometimes referred to as a disc protrusion or herniation. If the annulus fibrosus tears and allows the inner nucleus pulposus to escape through the annulus fibrosus it is called a non-contained disc herniation and often called a ruptured or fragmented disc.
low back, buttock, and thigh pain that could be due to herniation, degenerative disc disease, spinal arthritis, sacroiliac joint, stenosis due to spinal arthritis due to degenerative disc disease
- Increase of the disc space height
- Increase of the nerve opening sizes in the spine through which spinal nerves pass from the spinal cord to the body by up to 28% in area
- Intradiscal pressure reduction which reduces nerve irritation inside the disc and reduces nerve pressure on exiting nerves from the spine that cause arm and leg pain. This drop in pressure has been measured as high as 192 mm reduced pressure inside the intervertebral disc.
- Restore normal range of motion to the joints of the spine
- Establish nerve conduction from the extremities, spinal joints and intervertebral discs to the spinal cord and brain that have a sedating and pain relieving capability
Contact Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn for your examination and spinal manipulation treatment plan.
abnormal narrowing of the internal diameter of the vertebral spinal canal, nerve root canal or intervertebral foramen; this may result in spinal cord or nerve root compression.
a group of symptoms that, when considered together, lead to a diagnosis of body pain
the middle segment of the spinal column that attaches to the rib cage and protects the organs there
a group of disorders that occur when blood vessels or nerves in the thoracic outlet -- the space between your collarbone and your first rib -- are compressed Vertebra / vertebrae - the bone(s) of the spinal column
quick flexion-extension forced movements that stress the cervical spine and cause pain