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ABCESS: A localized collection of pus in any part of the body. ACCURACY: The property of a measurement that determines how closely a measured value or result approximates the true value. Accuracy is reduced by systematic error (bias) for the observer, the instrument or the subject. ACOUSTIC NEURINOMAS: Benign tumor of the hearing nerve (eighth nerve). A progressively enlarging, benign tumor, usually within the internal auditory canal or hearing nerve. ACTION TREMOR: A type of tremor that occurs during voluntary movements, such as lifting a cup to one's mouth. ACTIVATOR ADJUSTING INSTRUMENT: An instrument used by chiropractors who assert that slightly misaligned vertebrae can be tapped back into place with a spring-loaded mallet. "Activator Methods (AM) Chiropractic Technique" is a diagnostic and treatment system centered on the idea that leg-length analysis can determine when to adjust and when not to adjust the spine. Proponents claim that its procedures "generally enable the clinician to confidently and consistently identify subluxations. Most chiropractic colleges offer an elective course, and the leading proponents sponsor weekend seminars throughout the United States. The system is based on a concept of "functional short leg" -- which is an "apparent" difference in length, not an anatomical difference. To determine where the alleged subluxation is located, the practitioner holds the patient's feet in various prescribed ways while the patient lies facedown on an examining table. Other parts of the body may be tested in various other ways. If any inequality or "imbalance" is found, the practitioner taps various points along the spine, pelvis, and/or elsewhere with the Activator instrument until the legs appear to be equal in length. This approach is not a method of spinal manipulation (see Manipulation). Despite this, the FDA has approved the Activator Adjusting Instrument for "chiropractic adjustment of the spine and extremities." Activator Methods has serious flaws and employs dubious concepts. Despite this, many AM practitioners tell their patients that use of an Activator tool is a "state of the art" procedure that replaces the "old" method of manual spinal manipulation. The Activator tool and the AM system is viewed skeptically by many in mainstream chiropractic. ACTIVE CARE: Modes of treatment/care requiring "active" involvement, participation, and responsibility on the part of the patient in recovery and rehabilitation. ACUTE: New, for a short time, as opposed to chronic. For many health conditions, including back pain, acute implies that the condition is less than a few months old. After that, it becomes, chronic. The term "sub-acute" is often used to describe the transition period, when acute problems become less symptomatic, controlled, or treated to the point of plateau, but not to the point of being chronic. Subacute also is implied when a new, acute condition becomes suddenly without symptoms, but the underlying condition remains unresolved. ACUTE CARE PROGRAM: Care directed primarily towards the relief of symptoms. It is designed to promote anatomical rest, diminish muscular spasm, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain. ADENOCARCINOMA: Cancer arising from secretory cells, often in a gland. Breast and pancreatic cancers are usually adenocarcinomas. ADENOMA: A benign growth formed of glandular tissue. ADJUNCTIVE THERAPY/MODALITIES: Procedures/equipment that are often used by chiropractors in conjunction with the delivery of an adjustment to facilitate or enhance the adjustment. ADJUSTMENT: In chiropractic terms, a form of treatment where the application of force is to reduce spine or extremity joint dysfunctions or subluxations. There are many different types of adjustments and styles of adjustments. Mainstream chiropractic involves the use of a high velocity - low amplitude joint manipulation, done by hand. ADVERTISING: A means of communicating with the public information pertaining to a chiropractor's practice. AFFERENT (NEURON): Transmits impulses to the central nervous system. For example, our senses are afferent, like from the skin to the brain. The opposite is "efferent." An acutely malfunctioning joint, or a broken bone causes "afferent bombardment" to the spinal cord. The central nervous system responds with efferent nerve signals, e.g. telling muscles to spasm. AGNOSIA: Absence of the ability to recognize the form and nature of persons and things. AGRAPHIA: Loss of the power of writing, due either to muscular incoordination or to an inability to phrase thought. AMAUROSIS: Loss of vision without discoverable lesion in the eye structures or optic nerve. AMAUROSIS FUGAX: Temporary blindness occurring in short periods. |
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