Massage Glossary of Terms
Accessory Movement - Movement that happens involuntarily to tissues in and
around a joint during a normal movement. This movement accompanies a
specific movement, but those accessory movements cannot be repeated without the
initial movement.
Active Myofascial Trigger Point- A focus of hyper-irritability in a muscle or
its fascia that is painful. It refers a pattern of pain at rest or during
activity. The pattern of referred pain is specific for that muscle.
An active trigger point is always painful to pressure. The muscle is
shortened in contracture or spasm and is usually in a weakened state. It usually
refers pain with sustained direct pressure. May show signs of a local
twitch response. Often produces autonomic changes in the skin and soft
tissue or surrounding tissue when stimulated.
Adaptation - the ability of an organism to change over time in response to a
stimulus.
Adhesions - Abnormal adherence of collagen fibers to surrounding structures
during immobilization, following trauma or as a complication of surgery which
restricts normal elasticity of the structures involved.
Aerobic - "With Oxygen". Exercise during which the energy needed is
supplied by the oxygen being breathed in. An oxygen debt is not
produced. Such exercise can be continued for and extended period.
Amino Acids- The structural components of protein. There are 20 amino
acids of which 11 are termed essential. This means that they are not
produced in the body and must be obtained through the diet. Amino acids
pass unchanged from the intestines to the liver and into the general blood
circulation, from which they are absorbed by each tissue as needed to make its
own protein. Unused amino acids are converted into urea which is the main
constituent of urine.
Amphetamine- A synthetic Central Nervous System stimulant related to
epinephrine (adrenaline)
Anabolic Steroids - A group of synthetic drugs that have an anabolic (protein
-building) effect on the body. Though used by some athletes to gain
muscular strength, steroids are considered dangerous because of their
side-effects.
Anaerobic- "Without Oxygen". Exercise that demands more
oxygen than the heart and lungs can supply. This an oxygen debt occurs
during the short period the exercise intensity can be maintained.
Ankylosis- the severe or complete loss of movement of a joint. This can be a
result of fibrous build-up or bony fusion.
Approximation - Technique used in cramp management to stimulate muscle
relaxation. Grasp the belly of the muscle on both sides of the cramp, push
the muscle together, and hold until it releases.
Associated Myofascial Trigger point - A focus of irritability that has
developed in response to overwork, shortening, contracture, because of referred
phenomena caused by active triggerpoints in another muscle.
ATP (Adenonsine Triphospate) - a compound formed from the breakdown of food
and stored in cells, especially muscles. When it is split my enzyme
action, energy is produced. ATP is the last known chemical that is formed prior to the transfer of chemical work to mechanical work.
ATP-PC System - An anerobic energy system in which ATP is formed from the
breakdown of phosphocreatine. Muscles performing at maximal effort for 10
seconds or less obtain ATP from this system.
Atrophy - Wasting away or decrease in the size of a part due to failure,
abnormality of nutrition or lack of use.
