Abduction- moving your limb away from the body

Acupressure- therapy that involves the use of finger pressure on specific points along the body's meridians (or energy channels) to free up blockages

Adduction- moving your limb toward the body

Anatomy- is the study of structure, in this case the human form

Anterior- referring to the front of the body or pointing towards the front of the body

Aromatherapy- can best be described as the therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils that help promote physical and psychological well-being

Arthritis- is the inflammation of a joint or joints

Atrophy- a decrease in the size of a muscle

Biceps Brachii- is the well-known flexor muscle in the upper arm

Biceps Femoris- is in the back of the thigh

Bilateral-on both sides of

Blood-borne- is in reference to some kind of structure (such as a virus) carried by the blood

Bursa(e)- fluid-filled sac(s) where a muscle or tendon slides across bone to reduce friction between the two moving surfaces

Bursitis- categorized as inflammation of a Bursa

Carpo- wrist

Carpal Tunnel- compression of the median nerve at the wrist which may cause numbness and/or atrophy in the hand, thumb, and fingers.

Contraction- generation of force by muscle fibers in which a muscle's length may increase, decrease or stay the same

Craniosacral Therapy- a bodywork technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction

Cerebral-  refers to the brain

Collagen- is the main protein of connective tissue

Connective Tissue- tissue that supports,fastens, or separates tissues or organs such as tendons, joints, ligaments, bones, cartilage

Deep Tissue Massage- focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the body

Dermis- the second layer of skin, which lies underneath the epidermis, the first layer

Detoxification- a process the body goes through when it releases toxins

Dexterity- skill with the hands

Dorsiflexion- bending the foot upward

Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)- a tapping on the body with the fingers on certain points to release and redirect blocked energy patterns in the body and mind

Epidermis- the first, outermost and visible layer of skin

Essential oil- plant derived fragrant oil

Extension- movement at a joint that increases the angle of the joint and shifts it further apart such as straightening an elbow or knee

Fascia- a thick band of fiborous tissue that encloses muscles and other organs

Flaccid- without tone, lax or soft

Flexion- movement at a joint that decreases the angle and shifts it closer together as in bending the elbow or knee

Gland- An organ or group of cells in the body that produce secretions for use elsewhere in the body