Chiropractic Terminology | P
Palpation: This means done by hand. Palpation is the method the chiropractor uses to perform a spinal examination. Using touch and feel the chiropractor will examine the size, consistency, texture, location and tenderness of affected body parts.
Pancreas: This is a gland that produces chemicals that are crucial for blood sugar regulation and proper digestion. It is an abdominal gland that is situated in the abdominal cavity, behind the stomach.
Paresthesia: Abnormal sensation of the skin. Paresthesia refers to a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body. The sensation, which happens without warning, is usually painless and described as tingling or numbness, skin crawling, or itching.
Pathology: This is a broad field that concentrates on the changes in organs, tissues and cells that occur as a result of disease or injury.
Pathophysiology: This is the study of functional changes in the body which occur in response to disease or injury. Understanding the progress of disease is the key to learning how to identify and treat it. There are two separate components involved in pathophysiology. The first is physiology, the study of the body and its functions. The second is pathology, the study of disease and its impact on the body. In pathophysiology, doctors look at how the progress of a disease changes the body, and how the changes can be treated or reversed.
Pediatrics: Healthcare devoted to the treatment and well being of infants and children.
Pedicle: This is a stem or stalk of tissue that connects parts of the body to each other. In the spine a pedicle is the ridged surface that connects the vertebral body to the lamina and vertebral arch.
Pedometer: A small portable device worn on the belt that counts each step taken and total distance walked for a period of time determined by the user.
Peripheral Nervous System: This system includes all the nerves that exit spinal cord and travel throughout the body to innervate every cell, tissue and organ of the body.
Personal Injury: This is a legal term for an injury to the body, mind or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property. The most common types of personal injury claims are road traffic accidents, accidents at work, tripping accidents, assault claims and accidents in the home.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP): A type of coverage in an automobile insurance policy that pays for medical costs incurred as a result of injury from an accident.
Phenylethanolamine (PEA): This is an enzyme found in the adrenal medulla that converts Norepinephrine to Epinephrine.
Physical Activity: Any form of exercise or physical movement.
Physical Fitness: The measure of a person's ability to perform physical activity. To be considered physically fit requires endurance, strength and flexibility. Your level of physical fitness can be improved by any combination of regular activity or the development of an exercise routine.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy uses exercise, massage and other modalities. Physical therapy is a type of treatment you may need when health problems make it hard to move around and do everyday tasks. It helps you move better and may relieve pain. It also helps improve or restore your physical function and your fitness level.
Physiology: This is the study of how living systems function. Scientists who study physiology are called physiologists. Physiologists study living systems from the subcellular level all the way to the level of the whole organism. They also identify how organisms adapt to vastly different environments and stresses.
Physiotherapy (a.k.a. Physical Therapy): This treatment method uses exercise, massage and other modalities. Physiotherapy is a type of treatment you may need when health problems make it hard to move around and do everyday tasks. It helps you move better and may relieve pain. It also helps improve or restore your physical function and your fitness level.
PI (Personal Injury): This is used to abbreviate personal injury. Personal injury is a legal term for an injury to the body, mind or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property. The most common types of personal injury claims are road traffic accidents, accidents at work, tripping accidents, assault claims and accidents in the home.
Piriformis Syndrome: In piriformis syndrome the piriformis muscle causes compression of the sciatic nerve as it travels across the hip. The sciatic nerve becomes extremely irritated resulting in pain or tingling in the buttocks mimicking the symptoms of sciatica. This pain may occasionally be felt in the lower back or down the thigh and it may be especially noticeable if you are seated or climbing up stairs.
Pivot Joint: A joint in which one bone furnishes a pivot on which another turns or turns itself on its own axis resting on another bone. An example of a pivot joint is the atlanto-axial joint between the first and second cervical vertebrae, in which the odontoid peg of the second cervical vertebra passes through the ring like portion of the first cervical vertebra.
Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation and irritation of the ligament that extends from the front of the heel bone through the bottom of the foot. Standing for several consecutive hours on a hard surface, running too much or too hard, wearing improperly fitting shoes that have weak arch support, being overweight and unusual tightness in the feet or legs, are all related to plantar fasciitis. Left unattended this condition can create permanent damage and can change the way that you walk, creating other painful problems throughout the body.
Polyunsaturated Fat: From a chemical standpoint, polyunsaturated fats are simply fats that have more than one double-bonded or unsaturated carbon in their molecule. Polyunsaturated fats are typically liquid at room temperature and when chilled. This type of fat is found mostly in plant-based foods and oils. Evidence shows that eating foods rich in polyunsaturated fats improves blood cholesterol levels, which can decrease your risk of heart disease.
Posterior: Toward the back or rear of the body.
Post-Examination: An examination used to re-evaluate a patient’s condition and progress. The results of this type of exam are used to determine the continuing need for additional treatment.
PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): This is a type of health insurance plan that offers in-network as well as out-of-network coverage. However, out-of-network coverage is typically subject to either a higher deductible or lower co-insurance than in-network, often times both. No referrals are required in order to access care.
Pre-Authorization: A provision in certain insurance policies or plans that requires approval before a service can be rendered. Without following this rule payment may not be granted for the service.
Preventative Care: Care that goes beyond pain relief and correction. This level of care attempts to achieve or promote an optimum state of physical, mental and social well-being. By increasing the strength and function of the body, reducing the possibility of injury.
Prognosis: A prediction of the probable course and outcome of a condition or the likelihood of recovery. When a person receives a prognosis, it’s wise to remember that this is a best guess based on the previous experience or knowledge of the doctor. Like many prediction methods, it has an element of chance and doesn’t fully take into account the way any one person will respond to treatment.
Prone: Prone position is an anatomical term that refers to a face-down body position. It can refer to the position of the entire body, as in lying on one’s stomach, or to the position of a limb, as when the palm of the hand is turned face-down.
Protein: These are the building blocks of life. The body needs protein to repair and maintain itself. The basic structure of protein is a chain of amino acids. Every cell in the human body contains protein. It is a major part of the skin, muscles, organs and glands. Protein is also found in all body fluids, except bile and urine. You need protein in your diet to help your body repair cells and make new ones. Protein is also important for growth and development during childhood, adolescence and pregnancy.
Provider: Those who provide health care services, such as hospitals, physicians, chiropractors, nurse practitioners and others.
PT (Physical Therapy): An abbreviation for physical therapy. Physical therapy uses exercise, massage and other modalities. Physical therapy is a type of treatment you may need when health problems make it hard to move around and do everyday tasks. It helps you move better and may relieve pain. It also helps improve or restore your physical function and your fitness level.
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