Glossary and Abbreviations
Agonist: prime mover (e.g. biceps during elbow flexion)
AIS: active isolated stretching
Antagonist: muscle which has the opposite action to the agonist (e.g. triceps during elbow flexion)
ASIS: anterior superior iliac spine
ATP: adenosine triphosphate
Barrier phenomenon: restriction of mobility either physiological, pathological or anatomical
CCP: common compensatory pattern
CNS: central nervous system
Concentric: muscle contraction involving shortening of the length of the muscle
CP: cerebral palsy
CR: contract-relax - a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) technique used to relax and stretch tight muscles. Particularly good for large muscles
CRAC: contract-relax, antagonist contract - a PNF technique used to relax and stretch tight muscles. Involves use of agonist and antagonist muscles
CT: cervicothoracic
Eccentric: muscle contraction involving lengthening of the muscle
EMG: electromyogram
Facilitation: spontaneous activation of a specific muscle’s contractile ability, often via reflex means
FMS: fibromyalgia syndrome
Functional (neutral) range: the painless range used for exercise training where proper form and proximal stability are maintained
HCP: health care provider
HR: hold-relax - a PNF technique used to relax and stretch tight muscles, especially when there is pain present
HVT: high velocity/low amplitude thrusts
INIT: integrated neuromuscular inhibition technique
Isometric: muscle contraction involving no change in the muscle’s length (c.f. concentric and eccentric)
Isotonic: muscle contraction involving a change in muscle length (c.f. concentric and eccentric)
Joint centration: neutral position of a joint which achieves both maximum congruence of joint surfaces and normalises length/tension relationships of antagonist muscles
LDJ: lumbodorsal junction
LS: lumbosacral
MEP: muscle energy procedure
MET: muscle energy technique
MPI: myofascial pain index
MPS: myofascial pain syndrome
MRT: manual resistance technique
MTPJ: metatarsophalangeal joint
MVC: maximum voluntary contraction
NMT: neuromuscular technique
OA: occipitoatlantal
OMT: osteopathic manipulative therapy
PFS: postfacilitation stretch - used for stretching muscle or fascia
PIR: postisometric relaxation - like HR except that forces are gentler. Can be used to relax tense muscle, mobilise joint or aid in traction
PNF: proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
PSIS: posterior superior iliac spine
QL: quadratus lumborum
Release phenomenon: viscous or inhibitory release of pathological barrier in soft tissues which occurs with manipulation (thrust, PIR, oscillation, myofascial release, etc.)
RI: reciprocal inhibition - Sherrington’s law states that when an agonist contracts, its antagonist will be inhibited (due to inhibitory neurotransmitter release at the antagonist site)
SCM: sternocleidomastoid
SCS: strain/counterstrain
SIJ: sacroiliac joint
SLR: straight leg raised
Synergist: a muscle which assists an agonist during a movement, but which has other primary actions
TFL: tensor fascia lata
TL: thoracolumbar
TMJ: temporomandibular joint