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Pacing-Refers to the speed of performing techniques
Palmar-Pertaining to the palm.
Palpation-To examine or explore by touching; Assessment through touch.
Locate a structure, become aware of its characteristics, and assess its quality or condition.  Keep your hand still to feel for internal movement, pulse, etc.
Pancreatitis-Inflammation of the pancreas. It can be an acute or chronic condition, and is caused by auto-digestion of a pancreatic tissue by its own enzymes.
PAP Test-(Named after Dr. Papanicolaou) A cervical cancer-screening test. Cells are scraped from the outside of the cervix and just inside the cervical canal, then tested to identify the presence of abnormal cervical and other reproductive tract cells.
Paralysis-Loss or impairment of motor or sensory function.
Paresthesias - Altered or abnormal motor or sensory function.
Parasympathetic Autonomic Nervous System-The restorative part of the autonomic nervous system. The parasympathetic response often is called the relaxation response.
Paresthesia-Tingling or partial feeling.
Passive-Not produced by active efforts, does not require energy.
Passive Joint Movement-Movement of a joint by the massage practitioner without the assistance of the client.
Passive Movement-Client is relaxed while you move their body
Passive Range of Motion (PROM)-The ranges of motion in a joint that can be achieved when something other than the muscles move the joint. For example, relying totally on another person or object (such as a towel), to move a limb through a range of motion is PROM.
Passive Rest-Cessation of all movements after exercise.
Patella-Pertaining to the kneecap.
Patellar Tendinitis-Inflammation of the patellar tendon, the tendon that attaches the muscles of the leg (quadriceps) to the patella (kneecap) and tibia (lower leg).
Patellofemoral-Pertaining to the patella (kneecap) and the femur (thighbone).
Pathology-The study of disease.
Pelvis-The bony structure formed by the innominate (hip) bones, sacrum and coccyx (tailbone) and the surrounding ligaments. The structure supports the vertebral column and movement of the legs.
Perimysium-Wraps bundles of fibers within a muscle
Periosteum-Wraps bone and connects to tendons
Peripheral Artery Disease-Progressive occlusive disease of the arteries that supply the extremities. Risk factors include atherosclerosis and diabetes. Symptoms often occur in the hands and feet.
Peripheral Muscles-Muscles surrounding the moving joint, but not involved in the action of the joint. (e.g. the supinator is a peripheral muscle in elbow flexion)
Peripheral Neuropathy-A condition in which injury to the peripheral (surface) nerves causes abnormal sensation to the tissues in the periphery. It most commonly involves the arms, legs, hands, and feet. See neuropathy.
Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)-A broad term used to describe a disease of the arteries and veins of the extremities; i.e. atherosclerosis, which is accompanied by narrowing of the arteries.
Pes-Refers to the foot.
Pes Cavus-Abnormal concavity of the sole or arch of the foot. Possessing high arched feet.
Pes Planus-Abnormal flattening of the sole or arch of the foot. Possessing flat feet.
Petrissage-Kneading, rhythmic rolling, lifting, squeezing, and wringing of soft tissue.
Pharynx-The passage that leads from the nasal cavity and the back of the mouth down to where the esophagus
separates from the trachea.
Phasic Muscles-The muscles that move the body.
Physical Assessment-Evaluation of body balance, efficient function, basic symmetry, range of motion, and ability to function.
Physiologic Barriers-The result of the limits in range of motion imposed by protective nerve and sensory function to support optimal performance.
Physiological Adaptations-The body’s ability to adjust and adapt body functions to physical activity.
Phyto Chemicals-Plant Chemicals found in fruits, vegetables, dry beans and whole grains that help protect against some cancers, heart disease, and other chronic health conditions.
Placebo-An inert or innocuous substance used especially in controlled experiments testing the efficacy of another substance (as a drug).
Plantar-Pertaining to the sole of the foot.
Plantar Fascia-A broad band of connective tissue located on the bottom of the foot and extending the length of the foot, heel to toes. It supports the arch of the foot.
Plantar Fasciitis-Irritation and inflammation of the plantar fascia, usually due to stretching and tearing of the tissue as a result of overuse. The pain is most severe at the heel bone and particularly with weight bearing. A heel spur may develop as the condition worsens. Maintaining proper flexibility in the plantar fascia and Achilles tendon will minimize the chance of developing this problem.
Plantar Flexion-The act of extending of the foot to increase the angle between the top of the foot and the front of the leg (e.g. pointing the toes). Dorsiflexion is the opposite of plantarflexion.
Plaque-A mass of fatty tissue (cholesterol, other fat particles, and debris from the blood) that builds up on the walls of an artery and can cause a blockage to the flow of blood.
Pneumonia-A disease marked by inflammation and/or infection of the lungs. Symptoms can include a chill, followed by sudden elevation of temperature, difficult and rapid breathing, pain in the chest and side, and cough. Viruses and bacteria most commonly cause pneumonia.
Polyp-A small, benign growth in the large intestine that develops as an outgrowth of tissue from the skin or mucous membrane. They appear as a short stalk with a knob on the end.
Polyunsaturated Fats-Fats associated with a decreased risk of heart disease and are generally liquid at room temperature. (e.g. safflower, sunflower, soybean, corn, and vegetable oils)
Positional Release-A method of moving the body into the direction of ease (the way the body wants to move out of the position that causes pain); the proprioception is taken into a state of safety and may stop signaling for protective spasm.

Posterior-Toward the rear of the body, pertaining to the back or dorsal side (e.g. the back and buttocks are posterior portions of the body). Posterior is synonymous with dorsal and opposite of anterior.
Post-isometric Relaxation-The state that occurs after isometric contraction of a muscle; it results from the activity of minute neural reporting stations called the golgi tendon bodies.
Postpartum-The period of time spanning the first 6 weeks after childbirth.
Postural Muscles-Muscles that support the body against gravity.  The trunk muscles supporting the spine and upright posture of the torso.
Posture-Position or alignment of the body. Proper posture involves positioning the spine in neutral.
PPD (purified pork derivative)-A tuberculin skin test that is performed by injecting a small amount of protein derived from tuberculosis bacteria between the layers of the skin, usually on the forearm.
Pressure-Related to the force used in applying techniques and to the degree of compaction of tissue as the technique is applied.
Preventive Measure-Taking precautions to prevent the occurrence of illness or disease.
Preventive Medicine-The branch of medicine concerned with preventing disease and disability. It identifies factors that increase risk for disease, increases awareness of these factors, and provides guidance in removing or treating these factors.
Primary Care-Basic or general health care provided to an individual when first seen in the health care system. The primary care provider is responsible for the health maintenance, treatment of medical conditions, and consultations with other practitioners.
Prime-Mover Muscle (an agonist)-A muscle primarily responsible for active contraction of a body part or a specific motion. Contraction of an agonist is associated with relaxation of its antagonist. (e.g. the biceps muscle is a prime mover in elbow flexion)
Professional Demeanor-Appropriate appearance and behavior of the practitioner.
Professional Touch-Skilled touch delivered to achieve a specific outcome; the recipient in some way reimburses the professional for services rendered.
Prognosis-A forecast of the probable result or outcome of disease or injury, and the prospect of recovery from a
disease or injury indicated by the nature and symptoms of the case.
Pronation-Act of assuming a prone position or lying face down. The act of turning the palm down or shifting the body weight to the inside of the foot. The opposite of pronation is supination.
Prone-Lying in a face down position. Prone is the opposite of supine.
Proper Body Mechanics-Keeping wrist in neutral position, thumbs adducted, and changing height by bending at the knee
Proprioception (Proprioceptive)-Receiving stimulation within the body tissues allowing the body part to sense where it is in space.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)-Specific application of muscle energy techniques that uses strong contraction combined with stretching and muscular pattern retraining.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretch-A stretching technique designed to enhance the neuromuscular response. The most common method used is the contract-relax method. This requires an initial isometric contraction against maximum resistance at end range of motion for approximately 6-8 seconds. This is followed by relaxation of the same muscle lasting 2-5 seconds, then a slow passive stretch for 6-8 seconds atthe end point.
Proprioceptors-Sensory nerve terminals that supply information concerning movements and position of the body. They are found chiefly in muscles, tendons, and joints.
Prostadynia-Non-specific pain in the prostate.
Prostate Cancer-Cancer affecting the prostate gland.
Prostate Gland-A male genital gland about the size of a walnut that is located in front of the rectum, behind the base of the penis, and under the bladder. It surrounds the upper part of the urethra (the tube that carries the urine and semen out of the penis).
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)-A blood test used to assist in the detection of prostate cancer. If the test has an abnormal finding, further medical evaluation is indicated.
Prostatitis-Inflammation of the prostate gland.
Protein-A nutrient in food, which is responsible for growth and repair of tissues. A chain of amino acids forms protein. A gram of protein has 4 calories.
Protraction-The act or condition of extending or drawing forward (e.g. extending the jaw forward). Opposite of retraction.
Proximal-Nearest; closer to any point of reference. The opposite of distal. (e.g. the elbows are proximal to the fingers in relation to the shoulder, and the knees are proximal to the toes in relation to the hips)
Psychosis-A general term for any major mental disorder of organic and/or emotional origin (such as paranoia)
characterized by derangement of the personality and loss of contact with reality.
Psychotherapy-A general term for the treatment of mental disorders by intellectual and verbal means, including suggestion, analysis, and persuasion. Psychotherapy can occur individually or in groups, such as the family.
Pubic Bones-The lower front part of the pelvis.
Pulsed Muscle Energy-Procedures that involve engaging the barrier and using minute, resisted contractions (usually 20 in 10 seconds), which introduces mechanical pumping.
Purging-Self-induced vomiting or misuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to rid the body of food.