Glossary of terms

 Adhesions A cheap grade of tissue that abnormally restricts the movement of structures that are meant to be independent.

Anesthetic Any drug that reduces the sensation of pain.

Coccydynia Pain around the coccyx

Coccygeal bones The bones that form the coccyx—there are usually three but occasionally the coccyx will be composed of 2 or 4 segments.

Compression fractures A spinal fracture causing a reduction in the height of the body of a vertebra—most frequently seen in the thoracic or lumbar spine.

Chronic Physical signs or symptoms that recur or are constant.

Dislocation A condition where the ligaments of a joint have been torn enough to permit complete or nearly complete separation of a joint. This should be differentiated from sub-dislocation or sub-luxation where less than complete separation of a joint occurs.

Dura The tough outer layer of the meninges which contains the cerebrospinal fluid around the spinal cord.

Dural tension Any abnormal mechanical force acting on the dural layer of the meninges, such as a herniated disc, intra-medullary tumor, or displaced and restricted coccyx.

Epidural space The narrow space between the wall of the spinal canal and the dural layer of the meninges.

Fibrosis A condition where unorganized connective tissue restricts the natural movement or relationship of adjacent tissues.

Filum terminale internum The ligament that is formed at the end of the spinal cord. It descends through the spinal canal before coalescing with the dural layer of the meninges. Is referred to as the filum terminale “externum” after it coalesces with the dura on its way out of the spinal canal to anchor onto the coccyx.

Foramen Magnum The large opening in the bottom of the skull where the brain becomes the spinal cord.

Herniation A defect in the outer margins of a spinal disc. It may be small and focal, broad-based, or fragmentmented with ragged edges.

Hypothesis A conclusion drawn before all the facts are established and tentatively accepted as a basis for further investigation.

Kemper-Wooley Protocol Treatment of the coccyx further developed by Chris Kemper, D.C. and Jim Wooley, D.C. in the mid-1980s

Lateral recesses The trough-like passageways allowing the spinal nerves out of the spinal canal.

Ligaments Tough, flexible connective tissue that hold joints within a specific range of motion.

Membrana Tentoria The dural membrane that divides the hemispheres of the brain.

Meninges The three layers of tissue surrounding the spinal cord and nerve roots—comprised of the pia mater, arachnoid and dural layer.

Neuropathology Diseases or mechanical conditions affecting nerves or the nervous system.

Neurovascular The nerves that control the vascular system.

Occipital-Cervical Referring to the joint complex where the skull meets the spine.

Optimal spinal flexibility The best flexibility that is physically and genetically possible.

Orthopaedics British spelling for Orthopedic.

Orthopedics The branch of medical science that deals with prevention or correction of disorders of the locomotor structures of the body, especially the skeleton, joints, muscles, fascia and the pathologic affects these stuctures can exert upon the nervous system.

Periarticular In proximity to a joint

Perineural In proximity to a nerve

Proliferant A solution of dextrose, glycerine, xylocaine and phenol used to stimulate growth and repair of damaged ligament tissue.

Pseudosciatica Pain referred into the hip, buttock and leg from the ligament tissue between the sacroiliac joint and the coccyx.

Radiculopathy Symptoms extending along the course of a nerve into an extremity.

Sacrum The large spinal segment supporting the spine, suspended by the ilium and anchored by the coccyx.

Sciatica Leg pain caused by lumbar plexus neuritis

Sacrococcygeal joint(s) The joints connecting the sacrum and coccyx

Sacro coccygeal Syndrome A condition of nerve, muscle or joint pain or dysfunction caused when the injured coccyx prevents the meninges from moving freely within the spinal canal or through the vertebral foramen. This is caused by a coccyx that does not properly dampen excessive tension on the dura as a result of inadequate flexibility.

Sacroiliac The joint formed by the sacrum and the ilium

Spinal alignment The condition of the spine relative to its spatial relationship to the center of gravity. Most accurately measured in terms of a geometric scale of degrees of deviation away from the frontal, transverse and sagittal plane relative to the X,Y and Z axes.

Spinal canal The tube through which the spinal cord passes between the skull and the coccyx.

Stenosis An abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal or the vertebral foramen.

Subdislocation Less than a dislocation and more severe than a subluxation.

Subluxation The least measurable joint displacement that creates clinically significant signs or symptoms. It may affect muscles, nerves, ligaments, joints or blood vessels.

Wooley-Kemper Protocol Treatment of the coccyx further developed by Jim Wooley, D.C. and Chris Kemper, D.C. in the mid-1980s