Definitions for terms frequently used at our practice:

  • Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): The part of the nervous system controlling involuntary functions (heart rate, digestion, breathing), with sympathetic (fight-or-flight) and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) branches.
  • Coherence (HRV): An optimal physiological state characterized by a smooth, ordered heart rate variability pattern, indicating synchronization between heart, brain, and nervous system. (Often achieved via HeartMath).
  • Evidence-Based Medicine: Medical care based on the conscientious use of current best evidence from scientific research in making decisions about patient care.
  • Fiduciary Care: An ethical commitment to act solely in the patient’s best interest.
  • Functional Medicine: An approach that seeks to identify and address the root causes of disease, viewing the body as an integrated system.
  • Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD) / Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS): Connective tissue disorders often causing joint instability, pain, fatigue, and other systemic issues.
  • Interventional Orthopedics: Minimally invasive procedures, often image-guided, to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal pain (e.g., ultrasound-guided injections).
  • Mind-Body Medicine: Field focusing on the interactions between brain, mind, body, and behavior, and the powerful ways emotional, mental, social, and spiritual factors can affect health.
  • Neuroplasticity: The brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life.
  • Neuroplastic Pain: Pain generated or perpetuated by learned neural pathways in the brain, rather than ongoing tissue damage. (Often addressed by PRT).
  • Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT): A hands-on approach used by osteopathic physicians to diagnose, treat, and prevent illness or injury by moving muscles and joints.
  • Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT): A psychological therapy aimed at retraining the brain to interpret pain signals as non-dangerous.
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): A regenerative therapy using a concentration of a patient’s own platelets injected into injured areas to accelerate healing.
  • Polyvagal Theory: A theory explaining the role of the vagus nerve in emotional regulation, social connection, and fear response.
  • Prolotherapy: A regenerative injection therapy using solutions (like dextrose) to stimulate the body’s natural healing process for ligaments and tendons.
  • Regenerative Medicine: Field focused on therapies that help the body repair, regenerate, or replace damaged tissues.
  • Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP): A listening therapy using filtered music to help regulate the nervous system and promote feelings of safety.
  • Somatic Therapy: Body-centered therapy that helps release physical tension and trauma stored in the body.

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