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Dictionary M - P

M

Managed care: Any system that manages healthcare delivery to control costs. Typically, managed care systems rely on a primary care physician who acts as a gatekeeper for other services, such as specialized medical care, surgery, or physical therapy

Massage: The practice of manipulating the muscles and limbs to ease tension and reduce pain.

Massage therapist: A person who practices therapeutic massage.

Muscle: Muscle is the tissue of the body, which primarily functions as a source of power. Muscle that is responsible for moving extremities and external areas of the body is called "skeletal muscle." Heart muscle is called "cardiac muscle." Muscle that is in the walls of arteries and bowel is called "smooth muscle." 

N

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS): One of the National Institutes of Health in the U.S. NIAMSs mission is a broad and important one, namely to conduct and support a broad spectrum of research on normal structure and function of bones, muscles, and skin, as well as the numerous and disparate diseases that affect these tissues. NIAMS also conducts research training and epidemiologic studies and disseminates information.

National Institutes of Health (NIH): The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is an important U.S. health agency. It is devoted to medical research. Administratively under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the NIH consists of 20-some separate Institutes and Centers.

Nodule: A small solid collection of tissue that can be felt. A nodule may be present at any level in the skin.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Click here.

O

Orthopedics: The branch of surgery broadly dealing with the bones.

Osteoarthritis: Click here.

Osteoporosis: Click here.

Osteotomy: Taking out part or all of a bone, or cutting into or through bone.

P

Pain: A sensation that can range from mild, localized discomfort to agony. Pain has both physical and emotional components. The physical part of pain results from nerve stimulation.

Pain management: The process of providing medical care that alleviates or reduces pain. Mild to moderate pain can usually be treated with analgesic medications, such as aspirin or ibuprofen. For chronic or severe pain, opiates and other narcotics are often used, sometimes along with analgesics; with steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs when the pain is related to inflammation; or with anti-depressants, which can increase the effects of some pain medications without raising the actual dose of the drug, and which affect the brains perception of pain. There are also non-medical ways to treat pain, including imaging, relaxation, and meditation.

Pediatric rheumatologist: A physician who specializes in providing medical care to children with rheumatic diseases. They have completed an additional 2-3 years of specialized training in pediatric rheumatology and are usually board-certified in pediatric rheumatology.

Photosensitivity: The skin is oversensitive to light.

Physiatrist: A physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation.

Physical therapist: A person trained and certified by a state or accrediting body to design and implement physical therapy programs.

Physical therapy: A branch of rehabilitative health that uses specially designed exercises and equipment to help patients regain or improve their physical abilities.

Plantar fasciitis: Inflammation of the plantar fascia, the foot tissue stretching from the heel underneath the sole. Plantar fasciitis is often due to a bony spur projecting from the underside of the heel that makes walking painful.

Polyarticular: Involving many joints. As opposed to monoarticular  (affecting just one joint).

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR): A disorder of the muscles and joints, typically of older persons characterized by pain and stiffness, affecting both sides of the body, and involving the shoulders, arms, neck, and buttock areas.

Polymyositis: An inflammatory disease of muscle that begins when white blood cells spontaneously invade muscles, especially those closest to the trunk or torso, resulting in muscle pain, tenderness and weakness.

Prosthesis: An artificial replacement of a part of the body, such as a tooth, a facial bone, the palate, or a joint. The prosthesis may be removable, as in the case of most prosthetic legs or a prosthetic breast form used after mastectomy. Other types of prosthetic devices are permanently implanted, like an artificial hip or tooth.

Psoriatic arthritis: Click here.