Chiropractors glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a chiropractor provider in Klang Valley.
- What is a cervicogenic headache?
- A headache caused by structural or functional problems in the neck, such as joint misalignment, muscle tightness, or nerve irritation in the cervical spine.
- What is a chiropractic adjustment?
- A chiropractic adjustment is a controlled manual thrust applied to a restricted joint to restore mobility and reduce nerve interference, often producing an audible pop or crack from gas release in the joint.
- What is a chiropractic license in Malaysia?
- Chiropractic practice in Malaysia operates without a unified national licensing system; chiropractors typically register with the Malaysian Traditional and Complementary Medicine Board or hold qualifications recognized by professional associations, though the profession remains largely unregulated at the federal level.
- What is a chiropractic X-ray or radiograph?
- A radiographic image taken by a chiropractor or referred specialist to visualize bone structure, spinal alignment, and potential fractures before determining treatment approach.
- What is a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)?
- A Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) is a graduate-level qualification in chiropractic medicine, earned through accredited education programs typically outside Malaysia, that qualifies practitioners to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions primarily through spinal manipulation and related techniques.
- What is a range of motion (ROM) assessment?
- A diagnostic test that measures the extent and quality of movement available in a patient's joints, performed during chiropractic assessment to identify restrictions or abnormalities.
- What is a subluxation?
- A subluxation is a partial or incomplete misalignment of a vertebra that chiropractors believe interferes with nerve function and spinal health.
- What is a whiplash injury?
- Whiplash is a neck soft-tissue injury caused by sudden acceleration-deceleration forces that strain muscles, ligaments, and tendons, typically occurring in car accidents or sports collisions.
- What is cavitation (joint crack sound)?
- Cavitation is the sudden release of gas bubbles from the synovial fluid in a joint that produces the audible popping or cracking sound during a chiropractic adjustment.
- What is diversified technique?
- Diversified technique is a manual chiropractic adjustment method using high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts applied to specific joints, and the most commonly taught foundational style in chiropractic education.
- What is flexion-distraction technique?
- A manual spinal decompression method performed on a specialized table that combines controlled flexion and traction to reduce pressure on intervertebral discs and nerve roots.
- What is joint mobilisation?
- Joint mobilisation is a manual therapy technique in which a practitioner gently moves a joint through its available range of motion using slow, controlled movements, without the high-velocity thrust characteristic of spinal adjustment.
- What is leg length discrepancy (functional vs anatomical)?
- Leg length discrepancy refers to a difference between the two legs, either from actual bone length inequality (anatomical) or from postural misalignment that makes legs appear unequal (functional).
- What is myofascial release?
- Myofascial release is a hands-on soft-tissue therapy that applies sustained or rhythmic pressure to the fascia and muscles to relieve tension, restore mobility, and reduce pain.
- What is pelvic tilt?
- Pelvic tilt is a deviation in the angle or position of the pelvis, causing the spine to misalign and often resulting in lower back, hip, or postural pain.
- What is sciatica?
- Sciatica is pain, numbness, or weakness in the leg caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, usually where it exits the lower spine.
- What is spinal manipulation therapy?
- Spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) is a manual clinical technique in which a practitioner applies controlled force to spinal joints, typically using high-velocity thrusts or sustained pressure to improve mobility and function.
- What is subluxation-based vs evidence-based chiropractic?
- Subluxation-based chiropractic centers on the theory that vertebral misalignments (subluxations) block nerve flow and cause disease, while evidence-based chiropractic grounds treatment in peer-reviewed research and focuses primarily on musculoskeletal complaints.
- What is the activator method?
- The activator method is a chiropractic adjustment technique that uses a handheld, spring-loaded instrument to apply controlled low-force impulses to the spine and joints instead of manual manipulation.
- What is the difference between a chiropractor and physiotherapist?
- Chiropractors focus on spinal manipulation and alignment to treat structural issues, while physiotherapists use exercise, rehabilitation, and modalities to restore movement and function.
- What is the difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc?
- A bulging disc is an outward protrusion of the disc material that remains within the outer fibrous layer, while a herniated disc occurs when the inner nucleus ruptures through the outer shell, releasing material into the spinal canal.
- What is the Gonstead technique?
- A chiropractic method that combines full-spine X-ray analysis with precise contact-point adjustments to identify and treat vertebral misalignments throughout the entire spine.
- What is trigger point therapy?
- Trigger point therapy is a manual treatment that applies sustained pressure to hypersensitive areas within muscle tissue (trigger points) to release tension and reduce referred pain.
- What is vertebral subluxation complex?
- Vertebral subluxation complex is a chiropractic clinical model describing misalignment of a spinal vertebra combined with nerve interference, muscle weakness, and joint dysfunction at that spinal segment.