Glossary of Chiropractic & Medical Terms

MAGNETIC RESONANCE ANGIOGRAPHY (MRA) - A noninvasive study which is conducted in a Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI). The magnetic images are assembled by a computer to provide an image of the arteries in the head and neck. No contrast material is needed, but some patients may experience claustrophobia in the imager.

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) - Diagnostic test that produces three-dimensional images of body structures using powerful magnets and computer technology rather than x-rays.

MAINTENANCE CARE: See Preventative Care.

MANAGEMENT: A plan of action for treatment of the patient in accordance with diagnosis, progress, and expectations of outcome.

MANIPULABLE LESION (Joint Dysfunction, Functional Spinal Lesion, Subluxation): Abnormal alignment, movement, and/or function in a joint and its surrounding elements that is amenable to treatment by manual thrust procedures. In this context the term excludes states of hypermobility or instability.

MANIPULATION (JOINT MANIPULATION) – the therapeutic procedure to a joint that moves the joint beyond the active and passive range of motion, and into the end range or paraphysiologic space – but not so far as to go beyond the anatomic limit of the joint. A normal, health joint should be able to move to limit of passive range of motion and beyond into paraphysiologic space with manipulation.

MANIPULATION: Manipulation, or intervertebral joint adjustment, is a passive manual manoeuvre during which the three-joint complex is suddenly carried beyond the normal physiological range of movement, without exceeding the boundaries of anatomical integrity. The usual characteristic is a thrust -- a brief, sudden, and carefully administered "impulsion" that is given at the end of the normal passive range of movement. It is usually accompanied by a cracking noise.

MANUAL THERAPY: Those procedures by which the hands directly contact the body to treat the articulations and/or soft tissues and include but are not limited to: massage, muscle energy and strain-counterstrain techniques, trigger point therapy, joint mobilization, manipulation and articular adjustment.

MATERIAL RISKS: Risks worthy of disclosure by a reasonable person in the patient's position, including any risk of harm however remote that involves serious injury or death.

MAXIMUM THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT: The return to pre-injury/illness status or the minimum level of symptomatology or disability attainable on a given treatment/care approach. It may also be referred to as Maximum Medical or Chiropractic Improvement.

MEDIAL - Situated closer to the midline of the body.

MEDIAN NERVE - The nerve formed from the brachial plexus that supplies muscles in the anterior forearm and thumb, as well as, sensation of the hand. It may be compressed or trapped at the wrist in carpal tunnel syndrome.

MEDULLA OBLONGATA - The lower portion of the brain stem.

MENINGES - The three membranes covering the spinal cord and brain termed dura mater, arachnoid mater, and pia mater.

MENINGIOMA - A firm, often vascular, tumor arising from the coverings of the brain.

MENINGITIS - An infection or inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

MENINGOCELE - A protrusion of the coverings of the spinal cord or brain through a defect in the skull or vertebral column.

MENINGOENCEPHALITIS - An inflammation or infection of the brain and meninges.

MENINGOENCEPHALOCELE - A protrusion of both the meninges and brain tissue through a skull defect.

META-ANALYSIS: This refers to a type of study that statistically pools the data from many relevant single studies in order to make summary conclusions about a topic.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY - Surgery requiring small incision(s), usually performed with endoscopic visualization. It’s still invasive.

MOBILIZATION – The movement of a joint or body part into a range beyond what the muscles would normally move it to. Mobilization involves back-and-forth or oscillating movements via assistance from a healthcare provider, e.g. physical therapist or chiropractor or massage therapist. Mobilization is not the same as "manipulation."

MOBILIZATION: A gentle coaxing of a movement by passive rhythmical oscillations performed within or at the limit of normal range of movement. A form of manual therapy applied within the physiological passive range of joint movement characterized by a non-thrust increase in passive joint play.

MOTION SEGMENT: The smallest functional unit, consisting of two adjacent articulating surfaces together with the contiguous and intervening soft tissues.

MRA - See magnetic resonance angiography.

MRI – See magnetic resonance imaging.

MUSCLE - Muscle is the tissue of the body which primarily functions as a source of power. There are three types of muscle in the body. Muscle which is responsible for moving extremities and external areas of the body is called "skeletal muscle." Heart muscle is called "cardiac muscle." Muscle that is in the walls of arteries and bowel is called "smooth muscle."

MYELIN - The fat-like substance which surrounds the axon of nerve fibers and forms an insulating material.

MYELOCELE - Protrusion of the spinal cord in spina bifida.

MYELOGRAM - An x-ray of the spinal canal following injection of a contrast material into the surrounding cerebrospinal fluid spaces.

MYELOMENINGOCELE - A protrusion of the spinal cord and its coverings through a defect in the vertebral column.

MYELOPATHY - Any functional or pathologic disturbance in the spinal cord.

MYOPATHY - Any disease of muscle.