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Cardiovascular System-Transport system carrying oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes
Calcium-A mineral found in many foods that is essential for many body functions, including the regulation of the
heartbeat, conduction of nerve impulses, clotting of blood, and the building and maintaining of a healthy skeleton.
Cancer-A group of diseases in which cells multiply and spread, occurring in virtually any part of the body. This spread develops into a malignant tumor, which generally keeps growing, often invading neighboring tissue. Non-cancerous tumors are known as benign.
Cancer Stage-The degree or severity to which a cancer has progressed.
Carbohydrates-A nutrient in food, which is your body’s main source of fuel, and includes both sugars and starches. Each gram of carbohydrate has 4 calories.
Carcinogen-A cancer causing substance.
Carcinoma (cancer)-A malignant new growth made up of epithelial cells and tending to infiltrate the surrounding tissues and give rise to metastases.
Chronic-A term that describes the type of disease that develops slowly and lasts for a long time, sometimes for life.
Chronic Liver Disease-Caused by some forms of hepatitis and may persist for a lifetime. It can be mild or severe and have episodes of remission. Signs and symptoms include: upper abdominal pain, low-grade fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, lack of appetite, muscle aches, and headache.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-A disease of the respiratory system in which breathing is difficult or blocked. (e.g. emphysema and bronchitis)
Chronic Pain-Pain that persists or recurs for indefinite periods, usually for longer than 6 months. It frequently has an insidious onset, and the character and quality of the pain change over time. It frequently involves deep somatic and visceral structures. Chronic pain usually is diffuse and poorly localized.
Chronic Spasm-Alternating involuntary contraction and relaxation of a muscle.
Circuit Training-A strength training program during which one moves through a circuit of exercises, with minimal rest, until all the major muscle groups are covered.
Circular friction-A friction massage technique applied in a circular motion covering no more than 1 square inch at a time; used to break adhesions and for specific warming
Circulatory-Systems that depend on the pumping action of the skeletal muscle such as the arterial, venous, respiratory, etc.
Circulatory System-The heart, arteries, veins and capillaries that function to move blood, oxygen and nutrients through the body.
Circumduction-Describes a cone of funnel shape
Cirrhosis-A liver disease marked by progressive destruction of liver cells, most commonly caused by alcohol. The liver shrinks, becomes hard and nodular, and eventually malfunctions. This can lead to total liver failure. (See hepatitis)
Client–Therapist Interaction-Relaxation Session – little or no discussion.
Deep Muscle Work – feedback is vital at moments of rest or if there is extreme pain.
Client Information Form-A document used to obtain information from the client about health, preexisting conditions, and expectations for the massage.
Clinical Breast Exam-Inspection by a clinician for breast abnormalities usually performed during an annual PAP or pelvic exam.
Closed Fracture-Simple fracture
Colon Cancer-A malignancy that arises from the lining of either the colon or the rectum (large intestine). The second most common form of cancer found in males and females.
Comfort Barrier-The first point of resistance short of the client's perceiving any discomfort at the physiologic or pathologic barrier.
Comfortable Environment-Treatment room with dimmed lighting, soft music, subtle fragrance and an average
temperature of 75 degrees F.
Comminuted Fracture-Bone broken into several pieces
Compensation-The process of counterbalancing a defect in body structure or function.
Compression-Pressure into the body to spread tissue against underlying structures. Also referred to as the exertion of inappropriate pressure on nerves by hard tissue such as bone.
Complex Carbohydrates-A type of carbohydrate that is high in starch such as bread, cereals, fruits, and vegetables. These foods generally contain more fiber, which increases satiety to help in weight control, helps to control blood sugar, and helps to promote regular bowel movements.
Compound (Compound Exercise)-Exercises involving motion in more than one joint and targeting more than onelarge muscle group. (e.g. the squat or the leg press, with joint motion at the hips, knees and ankles, targets the gluteus, hamstrings, quadriceps, ankle flexors and calf muscles)
Compound Fracture-Complete break in bone with protrusion from skin
Compression-A massage technique that employs a gradual compressing of tissue followed by a gradual reduction of pressure; used to increase circulation
Concave-Having a rounded, somewhat depressed surface, resembling the hollow inner segment of a sphere. Concave is the opposite of convex.
Concentric Contraction-Shortening of muscle fibers during a muscle contraction, or when the opposite ends of the muscle come close together. Concentric is the opposite of eccentric. (e.g. the biceps muscles concentrically contract during the curling phase of a biceps curl)
Confidentiality-Client’s right to privacy
Congenital-A condition that is present at birth and usually exists before birth.
Congenital Nevi-Moles that form before birth.
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)-A condition in which the heart fails to pump out blood efficiently. As a result, blood that would normally enter the heart backs up in the veins depriving body tissues of oxygen. The back up of blood causes fluid to collect in the lungs, lower legs, ankles, arms, and liver.
Connective Tissue-Tissue that binds and supports the various structures of the body. (e.g. ligaments, tendons, cartilage, fascia, and blood)
Constipation-Describes the infrequent or difficult passing of hard bowel movements.
Contract (Muscle Contraction)-To develop tension within a muscle. There are three basic types of muscle Contractions – isometric, concentric or eccentric (see definitions).
Contract / Relax-An active movement used to promote muscular relaxation through consciously tensing and then
relaxing a specific muscle or muscle group
Contract / Relax / Stretch-A technique used to enhance stretching by preceding the stretch with contract/ relax of the muscle to be lengthened
Contraindications / Indications for bone fractures-Do not massage at location until there is complete union, check with client’s dr. before treatment
Control center (Homeostatic control mechanisms)-Analyzes information from receptors and determines the appropriate response
Contusion-A bruise
Convex-Having a rounded, evenly curved, somewhat elevated surface, resembling the external surface of a sphere. Convex is the opposite of concave.
Cool Down-The time at the end of a workout allowing the body to return to near resting levels. Cool down includes an active aerobic cool down and a final cool down consisting of stretching exercises.
Coordination-The act of various muscles working together to produce a specific movement.
Core Muscles-The muscles that support the spine and pelvis and control movement through a "braking" action to produce quality movement and prevent injury to the spine. They provide a stable base of support for the muscles to power the arms and legs and center of gravity is in the core area leading to balanced skillful movements.
Coronary Arteries-Arteries that deliver oxygenated blood to the heart muscle (myocardium).
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)-A form of heart disease caused by obstructions in the arteries that supply the heart with blood.
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)-When myocardial tissue goes without oxygen resulting in damage (ischemia) or death (infarction).
Counseling-The giving of advice and assistance to individuals with educational or personal needs.
Counter Transference-When the practitioner transfers feelings from their past onto the client
Concentric Isotonic Contraction-Application of a counter force by the massage therapist while allowing the client to move, which brings the origin and insertion of the target muscle together against the pressure.
Confidentially-Respect for the privacy of information obtained during therapeutic sessions and all other time spent with clients.
Connective Tissue-The most abundant tissue type in the body; it provides support, structure, and space, stabilization, and scar formation.
Contraindication-Any condition that renders a particular treatment improper or undesirable.
Counter Pressure-Force applied to an area that is designated to match exactly (isometric contraction) or partly (isotonic contraction) the effort or force produced by the muscles of that area.
Counter Transference-The personalization of the professional relationship by the therapist in which the practitioner is unable to separate the therapeutic relationship from personal feelings and expectations for the client.
Crepitus-A rubbing, grinding, or cracking sensation experienced with joint movement, usually associated with arthritis or tendonitis, may be associated with pain.
Cross Gender Massage-Client and therapist are of different sex or gender.
Cream-A type of lubricate that is in a semisolid or solid state.
Cross-Directional Stretching-Tissue stretching that pulls and twists connective tissue against its fiber direction.
Cross Training-A method of adding active recovery to a training program. For example, for a regular runner, substituting swimming or cycling instead of running is cross training. The benefits include decreased injury incidence, reduced boredom through variety, and increased physical challenge for the body.
Cryptorchidism-A condition in which one or both testes (testicles) fail to descend through the abdominal wall into the scrotum by birth. An operation (orchidoplexy) is performed to lower the testicle into the correct position within the scrotum.
CSF-Cerebrospinal fluid
Cupping-(As is used with Acupuncture)In a typical cupping session, glass cups are warmed using a cotton ball or other flammable substance, which is soaked in alcohol, let, then placed inside the cup. Burning a substance inside the cup removes all the oxygen, which creates a vacuum. As the substance burns, the cup is turned upside-down so that the practitioner can place the cup over a specific area. The vacuum created by the lack of oxygen anchors the cup to the skin and pulls it upward on the inside of the glass as the air inside the jar cools. Drawing up the skin is believed to open up the skin’s pores, which helps to stimulate the flow of blood, balances and realigns the flow of qi, breaks up obstructions, and creates an avenue for toxins to be drawn out of the body.
Cupping-A percussion technique applied with cupped hands - used for stimulation.