Calorie:
A unit of energy in food. Carbohydrates have 4 calories per gram. Proteins have 4 calories per gram. Fat has 9 calories per gram.
Carbohydrate:
A major source of energy in the diet. There are two kinds of carbohydrates: simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are sugars, while complex carbohydrates include both starches and fiber. Carbohydrates have 4 calories per gram. They are found naturally in foods such as breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, and milk and dairy products. Foods such as sugar cereals, soft drinks, fruit drinks, fruit punch, lemonade, cakes, cookies, pies, ice cream, and candy are very rich in sugars.
Cardiovascular system:
The system in your body responsible for distributing blood throughout the body. The cardiovascular system is made up of the heart, arteries, capillaries and veins.
Catabolism:
The metabolic process of breaking down tissues. Typically refers to the breakdown of muscle, bone, ligaments and tendons.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:
A progressive and sometimes painful joint disorder caused by a compression of the median nerve of your hand. The compression causes swelling, which exerts pressure on the nerves.
Cartilage:
A connective tissue that lines the ends of bones and most joints. It lines the facet joints of the spine.
Cauda equina:
A region at the lower end of the spinal column in which nerve roots branch out in a fashion that resembles a horse’s tail.
Cervical Spine:
The upper portion of your spine; also called the neck.
Chinese Medicine:
The general term to describe the numerous techniques utilized in China for many thousands of years to heal bodily ailments. These may include massage, herbs, acupuncture and Qi Gong.
Chiropractic:
Comes from the Greek words, “chiro,” meaning hand, and “practic,” meaning practice, or treatment. Chiropractic is a form of health care that focuses primarily on restoring normal position, motion and function in the body’s structures; especially the spine.
Chiropractor:
Also known as a doctor of chiropractic (D.C.), diagnoses and treats a broad range of physical conditions in patients with muscular, nervous, and skeletal problems, especially the spine.
Chronic Pain:
Pain that has lasted for more than three months generally having significant psychological and emotional affects and limiting a person’s ability to fully function.
Cholesterol:
A fat-like substance that is made by the body and is found naturally in animal foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. Foods high in cholesterol include liver and organ meats, egg yolks, and dairy fats. Cholesterol is carried in the blood. When cholesterol levels are too high, some of the cholesterol is deposited on the walls of the blood vessels. Over time, the deposits can build up causing the blood vessels to narrow and blood flow to decrease. The cholesterol in food, like saturated fat, tends to raise blood cholesterol, which increases the risk for heart disease. Total blood cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dl are considered high. Levels between 200-239 mg/dl are considered borderline high. Levels under 200 mg/dl are considered desirable.
Cortisol:
A hormone that is released from the adrenal glands in response to stress that facilitates fat storage and has a catabolic affect on muscle and connective tissue.
Coccyx:
The small bone at the lower tip of the spine. Also called the tailbone, a triangular-shaped bone at the bottom of the lumbar area.
Cognitive Restructuring:
A therapy whose emphasis is on learning to recognize and then change, or restructure thought processes, reframing thoughts in less stressful terms. Learning to make molehills out of mountains.
Complementary Medicine:
The use of various non-drug, non-surgical related therapies. Using natural means of treatment.
Compressed Nerve:
Material from a bulging or Herniated disk pushes against a nerve in the spinal cord causing severe pain.
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
A sophisticated x-ray using a computer to produce a detailed cross-sectional three-dimensional picture of the bone and discs.
Cordotomy:
Surgery to cut some of the fibers of the spinal cord; used to relieve pain.
Cranio-Sacral Therapy:
A manual therapy focusing on manipulation of the bones in the skull and sacrum.
Cyclooxygenase:
An enzyme that comes in two forms, I and II. Type I maintains body functions. Type II is associated with the development of inflammation. Aspirin inhibits I and II. COX-2 drugs inhibit Type II only.