THE HUMAN SPRING APPROACH TO
THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

by Dr James Stoxen DC., FSSEMM (hon) FWSSEM

GLOSSARY
F

failed back surgery – refers to a subset of patients who have new or persistent pain after spinal surgery for back or leg pain.

failed back surgery syndrome – refers to a subset of patients who have new or persistent pain after spinal surgery for back or leg pain.

failure strength – the amount of stress the body can bear before bones break, discs herniate, the meniscus tears, ankles sprain, muscles rip, tendons avulse, ligaments tear, or some other structural damage is sustained.

family practitioner – a medical doctor who is trained to provide primary health care to patients of either sex or any age

fascial tw – It is a Chinese unit of length often glossed as the Chinese inch. It is width of a person’s thumb at the knuckle.

fatigue strain – fatigue is the weakening of a material caused by repeatedly applied loads.

fatigue strain – fatigue strain is the strain that causes a weakening of a material caused by repeatedly applied loads.

FDA Food And Drug Administration – The Food and Drug Administration is a federal agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food safety, tobacco products, dietary supplements, prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs, vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, blood transfusions, medical devices, electromagnetic radiation emitting devices, cosmetics, animal foods & feed and veterinary products.

Feldenkrais Method – a type of exercise therapy devised by Moshé Feldenkrais (1904–1984). The method is claimed to reorganize connections between the brain and body and so improve body movement and psychological state.

fellowship – a fellowship is the period of medical training in the physician or dentist may undertake after completing a specialty-training program (residency). During this time (usually more than one year), the physician is known as a fellow.

fibrinolysis – is a process that prevents blood clots from getting larger and causing further problems.

fibrinolytic agent – is a blood clot dissolving drug.

fibromyalgia – a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in localized areas.

fibromyalgia pressure points – some doctors claim that there are 18 tender points throughout the body, each about the size of a penny located in clusters around the neck, chest, shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.

fibromyalgia trigger points – the difference between tender points and trigger points is that trigger points can produce referred pain (that is, they can cause pain in other parts of the body

filament – a slender threadlike object or fiber, especially one found in animal or plant structures.

fine movement – small movements — such as picking up small objects and holding a spoon — that use the small muscles of the fingers, toes, wrists, lips, and tongue.

first rib – the first rib is exactly that – the first true rib at the top of your chest. It sits just below your collarbone and is held in place by a series of supporting muscles. From the top, the first rib is held in place by the scalene muscles, which run up the side of your neck.

first rib pain – pain caused by an abnormally positioned first rib

first rib resection – the surgical removal of the first rib.

first rib resection complications – complications of the surgical removal of the first rib

first rib resection recovery – the recovery period following surgical removal of the first rib

first rib syndrome – caused primarily from a superior subluxation of the first rib.

flat foot – a condition in which the foot has an arch that is lower than usual.

flexibility – the range of movement in a joint or series of joints, and length in muscles that cross the joints to induce a bending movement or motion.

floating” ribs – any of the lower ribs that are not attached directly to the breastbone.

fluoxetine (Prozac) – Prozac (fluoxetine) is a medication that is used to treat depression, anxiety or panic disorders. It is in the class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and work by balancing out the chemical serotonin in the brain that is causing the symptoms.

foot drop (drop foot) – is a gait or walking abnormality in which the dropping of the forefoot happens due to weakness, irritation or damage to the common fibular nerve including the sciatic nerve, or paralysis of the muscles in the anterior portion of the lower leg.

foraminal stenosis – the narrowing of the cervical disc space caused by enlargement of a joint (the uncinate process) in the spinal canal.

frozen shoulder syndrome (adhesive capsulitis) – a condition characterized by stiffness and pain in your shoulder joint. Signs and symptoms typically begin gradually and worsens over time.

fulcrum – the point on which a lever rests or is supported and on which it pivots.

functional outcome – is the outcome that is focused on an individual’s recovery in areas such as vocational and social functioning rather than symptom resolution.

funny bone – the part of the elbow over which the ulnar nerve passes. A knock on the funny bone may cause numbness and pain along the forearm and hand.