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Maintenance-An all-purpose application of sports massage that is scheduled between competitions. It aims at recovery, normalizing stressed tissues, and treating minor injuries and complaints.  
Malignant-A term applied to a cancerous growth to indicate that it is likely to penetrate the tissues in which it originated to spread further (metastasize). The opposite of benign.
Malignant Melanoma (MM)-The most serious of the 3 types of skin cancer, often metastasizing, or spreading, throughout the body. Changes in the underlying skin cells that produce skin-coloring pigment (melanin) cause a malignant tumor to develop. This cancerous lump can develop from a mole.
Malunion-Faulty or poor union of the two fractured ends of a bone.
Mammogram-A special kind of breast x-ray that can detect malignant tumors and other breast abnormalities.
Manipulation-Skillful use of the hands in a therapeutic manner. Massage manipulations focus on the soft tissues of the body and are not to be confused with joint manipulation using a high
Massage-The manipulation of the soft tissues of the body.
Massage Chair-A specifically designed chair that allows the client to sit comfortably during the massage.
Massage Routine -The step-by-step protocol and sequence used to give a massage.
Massage Specialist-A person with special skills in massage and related techniques, gained through education and experience.
Massage Table-A specifically designed table that allows massage to be done with the client lying down.
Matrix-The intercellular substance of a tissue.
Maximal Heart Rate-The maximal number of times the heart can beat.
Maximal Heart Rate Reserve-The result of subtracting the resting heart rate from the maximal heart rate; represents the working heart rate range between rest and maximal heart rate within which all activity occurs.
Mechanical Methods-Techniques that directly affect the soft tissue by normalizing the connective tissue or moving body fluids and intestinal contents.
Medial-Pertains to the inside, or towards the midline of the body (e.g. the eyes are medial to the ears). The opposite of medial is lateral.
Medial Rotation-Turning around the axis of a joint toward the midline of the body. Opposite of external or lateral rotation, but synonymous with internal rotation. (e.g. turning the shoulder inward medially rotates the shoulder, or turning the toes inward medially rotates the lower leg)
Mega-doses-Extremely high intake of vitamins, minerals, or other supplements that may lead to health problems and toxicity. At high doses, nutrients act as drugs rather than nutrients.
Meningoencephalitis-Infection that involves both meninges and brain.
Meniscus-A crescent shaped cartilage found in certain joints that aid in the gliding motion, stability, and shock
absorption of the joint (e.g. lateral and medial meniscus of the knee). Meniscal tears are an acute injury involvinga tear of either the lateral or medial meniscus resulting in pain, joint swelling, decreased range of motion, and even locking of the joint.
Menopause-A term that refers to the event that signifies the cessation of menstruation in the human female, usually occurring between the age of 46 and 50.
Menstrual period-The cyclic (usually 4-week intervals), physiologic uterine bleeding which normally recurs in the absence of pregnancy during the reproductive period of the female.
Metabolic Disorder-Disorders in which a mutation of a single gene or a small number of related genes causes a metabolic disorder, such as diabetes.
Metabolite-A substance essential to the metabolism of a particular organism or to a particular metabolic process; a product of metabolism. Amino acids are metabolites of protein metabolism.
Metastasize-A term applied to a malignant growth that develops in one part of the body as a result of the spread of abnormal cells from another part. The term also refers to the process of spreading (i.e., Cancers that spread (metastasize) show up in other parts of the body and are called metastasis).
Metatarsal-The 5 bones of the forefoot that array with the toes. The metatarsal heads are located at the ball of the foot. The first metatarsal arrays with the great (big) toe and the fifth arrays with the little toe and so on.
Metatarsalgia-A generic term describing pain in the ball of the foot secondary to bruising of the metatarsal joints of the foot. The symptoms typically occur at the second and third metatarsal heads. Wear well-padded shoes and avoid repetitive impact activities, especially to the ball of the foot to prevent injury or aggravating the condition.
Microscopic Anatomy-Cells and tissues that can only be observed with magnifying instruments  
Migraine-Vascular Headache
Minerals-One of a group of nutrients essential for life. They help release energy from foods and play a vital role in all the processes that take place throughout the body.
MmHg-Millimeters of mercury
Mobility-The amount of joint motion that occurs before being limited by surrounding tissues.
Mode of Exercise-The particular type of exercise being done. (e.g. running, walking, cycling, swimming, water aerobics, aerobics, water polo, etc)
Moderate Pressure-Compressive pressure that extends to the muscle layer but does not press the tissue against the underlying bone.
Modifiable (Controllable) Risk Factors-Those risk factors that can be altered or changed by the individual through behavior changes. Examples include smoking, weight loss, and exercise.
Mole-A pigmented fleshy growth that can occur anywhere on the body. They are small, roughly circular areas of skin that are much darker than the surrounding skin.
Monounsaturated Fats-Fats associated with a decreased risk of heart disease and are generally liquid at room temperature. (e.g. olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil)
Morbid Obesity-30% over ideal body weight, which places individual at risk for life-threatening weight-related medical conditions.
Mortality-Death rate; the ratio of the number of deaths to a given population.
Morton's Neuroma-Irritation and entrapment of a part of the nerve passing between the metatarsal bones of the foot resulting in swelling and sharp, radiating pain to the toes. Symptoms usually occur between the 3rd and 4th toes. Weight bearing, repetitive high impact activities, and narrow shoes may cause the injury or aggravate the condition.
Motor Control-The ability to physically perform skillful movements involving agility, balance, and coordination.
Motor Point-The point where a motor nerve enters the muscle it innervates and causes a muscle to twitch if stimulated.
Multi-Joint-An exercise involving two or more joints, and associated muscle groups. Leg press or squat is a multi-joint exercise.
Mumps-A contagious, feverish disease caused by a virus, and marked by inflammation and swelling of the parotid (saliva-making) gland (near the ear). The infection may also affect other organs, especially in adults.
Muscle-Voluntary contractile tissue that moves the skeleton.
Muscle Power-Muscular strength x Speed
Muscle Soreness-Tenderness/soreness felt in the muscles as a result of a buildup of the end products of exercise. It usually disappears within a few minutes or several hours after exercise.
Muscle Spindle-A specialized receptor, sensitive to stretch, embedded among the muscle fibers that protect the muscle against excessive stretching through reflex muscular contraction. These receptors are important for coordinated muscular movement.
Muscle Tear-The separation of muscle tissue. A muscle tear may involve a partial tear or a complete tear. Complete tears typically require surgical intervention.
Muscular Balance-Opposing muscles groups have comparable strength, endurance, and flexibility.
Muscular System-Allows locomotion and facial expression while producing internal body heat.
Musculoskeletal-Refers to the muscles, bones, and supporting structures such as ligaments, tendons and fascia.
Musculoskeletal Injury / Condition-An injury involving both bones and the surrounding supportive structures.
Musculotendinous Junction-The point where muscle fibers end and the connective tissue continues to form the tendon; a major site of injury.
Mutate-To change in form, quality or some other characteristic. To change the genetic material (DNA) inside the cell.
Myalgia-Muscle pain.
Myocardial Infarction (MI)-The medical term for a heart attack. The most common type is caused by a thrombosis, or blockage, of one of the coronary arteries by a blood clot. This cuts off the blood supply to one region of the heart muscle. Lack of an adequate blood supply damages the deprived tissue.
Myofibril-A very small longitudinal fiber found in skeletal or cardiac muscle fiber.
Myotatic Stretch Reflex-Reflex contraction of a muscle in response to it being stretched. The muscle will try to contract to oppose the attempt to elongate it.