BodyWiki · A–Z index
Entries starting with M
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M-positionThe M-position is a posture in which a baby's knees are higher than their bottom and their thighs spread naturally in a baby carrier or podaegi (Korean cloMacrophageMacrophages are immune cells that gather at injured sites and engulf bacteria and dead-cell debris to clear them away.Magnetic field therapyMagnetic field therapy involves placing magnets or devices that generate magnetic fields against the body to relieve pain and stiffness and support recoverMaitland ConceptThe Maitland Concept is a manual therapy system developed by Australian physical therapist Geoffrey Maitland.Major arteries of the limbsThe large arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the arms and legs branch from the aorta in the trunk and form a continuous pathway, changing names accorMallet fingerMallet finger is a condition in which the fingertip joint cannot straighten on its own and droops downward.MandibleThe mandible is the horseshoe-shaped bone that forms the lower jaw and is the only movable bone in the skull.Mandibular condyleThe mandibular condyle is a rounded projection at the upper rear of the lower jawbone.Mandibular rest positionWhen you are not chewing or swallowing, it is natural for your upper and lower teeth to remain slightly apart rather than touching.Mandibular translationTranslation is the movement in which the rounded end of the jawbone (the mandibular condyle) slides forward along the anterior slope of the articular fossaManual lymphatic drainageManual lymphatic drainage (MLD) uses rhythmic hand movements that very gently stretch and release the skin to help fluid move through the body in the direcManual material handlingManual material handling is an occupational safety and ergonomics term covering tasks in which people use their own strength to lift, lower, carry, push, aManual muscle testingManual muscle testing is an assessment in which a therapist applies resistance by hand and grades the force produced by a specific muscle on a scale from 0Manual patient handlingManual patient handling includes transferring someone with limited mobility from a bed to a wheelchair, repositioning them while lying down, or supporting Manual therapyManual therapy is an umbrella term for treatments in which a therapist uses their hands rather than equipment to directly move and release joints, muscles,Manual therapy schools and their originsManual therapy is not a technique created by one person, but a field formed by schools that developed independently in several countries during the 20th ceMariano RocabadoMariano Rocabado is a Chilean physical therapist (kinesiologist) who has spent many years studying rehabilitation methods for the temporomandibular joint aMarma therapyMarma therapy is a traditional Indian manual technique in Ayurveda that gently stimulates 107 vital points called “marma” with the fingers.MassageMassage is an umbrella term for hands-on techniques that use the hands, elbows, or tools to press, rub, and knead the muscles and skin, helping the body reMassage ballA massage ball is a ball-shaped self-massage tool used against a wall or floor, with your body weight providing pressure to release tight, achy areas.Massage chairA massage chair is a home device that uses rollers, airbags, and heat to automatically massage you from your neck to your legs while you sit or recline.Massage gunA massage gun is a handheld massage device with a motor that rapidly moves a head back and forth to deliver short taps to the surface of the muscles.Massage stickA massage stick is a rod-shaped self-massage tool held in both hands and pressed and rolled directly over muscles.Masseter muscleThe masseter is a powerful chewing muscle that connects the cheekbone to the lower jaw at the back of the cheek.Mast cellMast cells are immune cells found in large numbers in the connective tissue of the skin and around blood vessels.Masticatory muscle hypertrophyMasticatory muscle hypertrophy is a condition in which the jaw muscles used for chewing, especially the masseter muscle at the side of the cheek, become enMastoid processThe mastoid process is the rounded bony prominence you can feel just behind your ear. It is part of the temporal bone.Mathematical couplingMathematical coupling is a statistical problem in which two values being compared share the same numbers, making them appear connected even when there is nMaximal oxygen uptakeMaximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use in 1 minute during all-out exercise.McConnell tapingMcConnell taping is a technique that uses firm, non-stretch tape to gently pull the kneecap (patella) inward, helping reduce pain at the front of the knee McGill Big 3The McGill Big 3 are three exercises—the curl-up, side bridge, and bird dog—that train your trunk muscles to support your spine firmly without bending or tMcGill Pain QuestionnaireThe McGill Pain Questionnaire records the 'quality' of your pain by asking you to choose words that match it from a list of descriptions such as "throbbingMcKenzie exercisesMcKenzie exercises involve moving your lower back or neck repeatedly in the same direction, finding the direction that reduces your symptoms, and repeatingMcKenzie Mechanical Diagnosis and TherapyMcKenzie MDT (the McKenzie Method) is an assessment and management system that involves repeatedly moving your lower back or neck in one direction and findMcMurray testThe McMurray test is a common knee examination that helps assess the condition of the meniscus by checking for joint-line pain, catching, or clicking as thMechanical loading in rope skippingRope skipping requires very little equipment or space, but it involves repeating the same landing hundreds or thousands of times in a short period.Mechanical low back painMechanical low back pain describes a pattern in which low back pain changes with posture or movement.Mechanical stiffnessStiffness describes how little a tissue, such as a tendon, stretches when force is applied.Mechanical tensionMechanical tension is the physical tautness that develops within muscles when they support or lift a weight.MechanoreceptorMechanoreceptors are sensory receptors in the body that detect mechanical stimuli such as pressure, vibration, pulling, and rubbing.MechanotransductionMechanotransduction is the process by which cells convert physical forces applied to the body's tissues into chemical signals, recognize them, and remodel Medial collateral ligamentThe medial collateral ligament (MCL) is a broad, flat ligament that connects the thighbone to the shinbone along the inner side of the knee, helping keep tMedial collateral ligament injuryA medial collateral ligament injury occurs when the ligament supporting the inner side of the knee (MCL) is stretched or torn by a force that bends the kneMedial epicondylitisGolfer’s elbow causes pain around the bony prominence on the inside of the elbow, particularly when bending the wrist toward the palm or gripping objects tMedial patellofemoral ligamentThe medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) connects the inner side of the kneecap (patella) to the inner side of the thighbone, keeping the kneecap from sliMedial plantar nerveThe medial plantar nerve travels from the inner ankle into the sole, providing sensation to the inner sole and the toes on the big-toe side, and controllinMedial scapular border painMedial scapular border pain is a feeling of stiffness and aching in the upper back, between the inner edge of the shoulder blade and the spine.Medial tibial stress syndromeShin splints refers to a dull ache extending along the inner side of the shinbone after repeated loading of the legs through activities such as running, juMedian nerveThe median nerve is a major nerve of the arm that starts in the neck, travels along the inner arm and the front of the forearm, and passes through a narrowMediastinumThe mediastinum is the space in the center of the chest between the two lungs, behind the breastbone and in front of the spine.MedicalizationMedicalization is the process by which conditions once regarded as a natural part of life gradually come to be defined within the medical domain, becoming MeditationMeditation is an umbrella term for practices that train you to pay attention to your breathing, sensations, or present experience.MegakaryocyteMegakaryocytes are enormous cells that produce platelets in the bone marrow.Memory consolidationConsolidation is the process through which something you have just learned becomes firmly established in the brain during rest and sleep.Meniscal tearA meniscal tear is a tear or split in the crescent-shaped cartilage that acts as a cushion inside the knee.Meniscal tear patternsMeniscal tear patterns classify tears of the knee's meniscus according to their shape and direction.MeniscusThe menisci are C-shaped cartilage cushions that sit between the femur and tibia inside the knee joint.Menstrual cycle and injury riskThis research topic began with the hypothesis that fluctuations in female hormones throughout the menstrual cycle may change the properties of ligaments anMeralgia parestheticaMeralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes tingling, prickling, burning, or reduced sensation over the front and outer thigh.Meridian massage toolsMeridian massage tools is an umbrella term for tools used to rub, press, or tap the skin and muscles along meridians, which are viewed as pathways through MesenchymeMesenchyme is undifferentiated connective tissue that forms early in embryonic development and differentiates into various supporting structures in the bodMesenteryThe mesentery is a thin membrane that suspends the intestines from the back wall of the abdomen and provides a route for the blood vessels, lymphatic vesseMeta-analysisMeta-analysis is a method of statistically combining the results of multiple studies addressing the same question to produce a single pooled estimate and aMetabolic blood markersMetabolic blood markers are test values that provide numerical information about your blood glucose, insulin, and cholesterol status from a single blood drMetabolic equivalent of taskThe metabolic equivalent of task (MET) is a unit that indicates how many times more energy an activity uses than resting quietly.Metabolic flexibilityMetabolic flexibility is the body's capacity to adapt its metabolism by switching appropriately between energy sources according to its circumstances and eMetabolic stressMetabolic stress is an exercise physiology term referring to the muscle “pump” and burning sensation that occur as metabolites such as lactate and hydrogenMetabolismMetabolism refers to all the chemical reactions that turn food into energy and building materials, and use that energy to move and maintain the body.Metacarpophalangeal jointThe metacarpophalangeal joint is where a metacarpal bone, which forms part of the palm, meets the first bone of a finger.MetaphysisThe metaphysis is the flared, trumpet-shaped region between the shaft and the end of a long bone.Metatarsal bonesThe metatarsal bones are five long bones that form the middle part of the foot, acting as a bridge that transfers body weight toward the toes when you walkMetatarsal stress fractureA metatarsal stress fracture is an injury in which repeated loading causes tiny cracks in the long bones that form the top of the foot (the metatarsals).MetatarsalgiaMetatarsalgia is a term for pain in the ball of the foot just behind the toes, particularly beneath the heads of the metatarsal bones.Metatarsus adductusMetatarsus adductus is a foot shape in babies in which the heel is straight but only the forefoot curves inward, making the foot look like a kidney bean.MicrocirculationMicrocirculation refers to blood flow and the exchange of substances in arterioles, capillaries, and venules—blood vessels too small to see with the naked Microcurrent therapyMicrocurrent therapy is a gentle electrical stimulation technique that supports the body's recovery by delivering currents in the microampere (µA) range, sMicrogliaMicroglia are small immune cells that live in the brain and spinal cord, monitoring their surroundings, clearing away debris, and responding to danger signMicrotraumaMicrotrauma refers to very small changes in muscle fibers and the surrounding connective tissue during unfamiliar or strenuous exercise, particularly movemMidfoot strikeA midfoot strike is a landing pattern in which the middle of the sole contacts the ground at nearly the same time as the heel and forefoot during running.MigraineMigraine is a headache that causes pulsing or throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, accompanied by sensitivity to light or sound, or nausea.MindfulnessMindfulness is the practice of noticing your breathing, bodily sensations, and the thoughts and emotions that arise in the present moment, just as they areMinimal clinically important differenceThe minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is the smallest change in a pain or function score that makes a patient feel that something has "definitMinimalist footwear and barefoot activityMinimalist shoes have thin, flexible soles, a small height difference between the heel and forefoot (heel drop), and room for the toes to spread freely.Mirror therapyMirror therapy is a rehabilitation method in which a mirror is placed along the middle of the body.Mobilization with MovementMobilization with movement is a manual technique in which the person receiving treatment performs a previously painful movement while the therapist gently Modic changes“Modic changes” is the term used when bone marrow immediately next to a vertebral endplate shows a different signal than usual on a lumbar MRI. They are diModified Ashworth ScaleThe Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) is a test that records the resistance an examiner feels while slowly moving a patient's arm or leg by hand, using grades Mommy's wristMommy's wrist refers to aching on the thumb side of the wrist after holding and lifting a baby dozens of times a day.Momsalim exerciseMomsalim exercise is a traditional Korean system of self-directed postural exercise founded on the idea that “I restore my own body.”Monitor height and viewing distanceA comfortable starting point is to place the top edge of the monitor at or slightly below eye level, about an arm's length (roughly 50~100cm) from your eyeMonocytesMonocytes are white blood cells that circulate in the blood, then move into tissues where they are needed and become macrophages.MononeuropathyMononeuropathy is a problem affecting a single peripheral nerve, causing numbness, tingling, or weakness only in the small area served by that nerve.Monteggia fracture-dislocationA Monteggia fracture is an injury in which the ulna in the forearm breaks near the elbow and the upper end of the radius (the radial head) dislocates from Morning stiffnessMorning stiffness is a feeling of stiffness in the joints and muscles just after waking that gradually eases as you move around.Morton's neuromaMorton's neuroma is a condition that causes burning pain or numbness and tingling in the ball of the foot, usually between the third and fourth toes.Motion barrierIn manual therapy, a barrier refers to the point where a joint stops moving or resistance is first felt.Motion captureMotion capture is a measurement method that records body movements using cameras and sensors and converts them into coordinate data over time.Motor controlMotor control is the process by which the brain and spinal cord receive sensory information and determine which muscles to use, when, how much, and in whatMotor coordinationMotor coordination is the ability to bring multiple muscles and joints together with information from the eyes, ears, and skin to produce smooth movement.Motor learningMotor learning is the process of acquiring movements through practice and experience, with those skills staying with you over time.Motor unit recruitmentMotor unit recruitment is the process by which the body calls on more motor units—a single nerve and the bundle of muscle fibers it controls—in sequence whMouse wrist and mouse armMouse wrist and mouse arm are everyday terms for aching and tightness that extend from the wrist and forearm to the shoulder after prolonged mouse use.Mouth breathingMouth breathing means breathing mainly through your mouth.Mouth opening range of motionMouth opening range of motion is a measure of how wide you can open your mouth.Movement assessmentMovement assessment is a way to observe how the body moves using a set procedure, rather than looking only at numbers such as strength or endurance.Movement compensationMovement compensation is the body's way of adapting when one area is too stiff or weak to do its share, so a neighboring area takes over to complete the moMovement system impairment syndromesMovement system impairment (MSI) syndromes are a classification system for understanding the body by looking beyond the painful area to examine which direcMovement-evoked painMovement-evoked pain occurs during a particular movement and subsides when you stop moving or rest.MoxibustionMoxibustion is a traditional East Asian therapy that burns dried mugwort to warm designated points on the body.MRI safetyMRI is a test that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to take cross-sectional images of the inside of the body. It does not use X-rays.Mulligan ConceptThe Mulligan Concept is a system of manual techniques in which the practitioner gently glides a joint in a particular direction while the person receiving Multidisciplinary rehabilitationMultidisciplinary rehabilitation is an approach in which professionals from different fields, such as physicians, physical therapists, and psychological prMultifidusThe multifidus consists of small bundles of muscle deep beside the vertebrae that connect individual spinal segments.Multifidus weaknessMultifidus weakness refers to a state in which the Multifidus, a muscle made up of many bundles that span short sections of the spine and support the lumbaMultistage fitness testThe multistage fitness test assesses cardiorespiratory fitness by having you run back and forth over 20m in time with beeps.Muscle architectureMuscle architecture refers to the angles and lengths at which muscle fibers are arranged.Muscle atrophyMuscle atrophy is a condition in which the fibers that make up muscles become thinner, reducing both muscle size and strength.Muscle barrierThe muscle barrier is the point where a muscle first begins to offer very slight resistance as someone else slowly moves a relaxed joint.Muscle belly techniqueThe muscle belly technique is a myofascial release technique in which the bulging middle portion of a muscle (the muscle belly) is gently held with both haMuscle co-contractionMuscle co-contraction is a state in which muscles that act in opposite directions across a joint exert force at the same time.Muscle contusionA muscle contusion is a deep bruise caused when an external impact, such as a knee, ball, or helmet, compresses a muscle.Muscle crampA cramp occurs when a muscle suddenly contracts strongly and involuntarily, becoming hard and causing stabbing pain.Muscle Energy and Beyond techniqueThe Muscle Energy and Beyond technique is a method used in integrative manual therapy to release stiff joints.Muscle energy techniqueMuscle energy technique is a hands-on technique in which the person receiving treatment gently contracts a muscle against the practitioner's hands, then reMuscle fatigueMuscle fatigue is a temporary state in which your muscles can no longer produce as much force as they did at the start of exercise or a task.Muscle fiberMuscle fibers are the individual long, slender cells that make up muscle.Muscle fiber type shiftsMuscle fiber type shifts refer to the tendency for fast-twitch (type II) fibers, which produce brief bursts of powerful force, to decline more with age thaMuscle fiber typesMuscle fiber types classify the fibers that make up muscles according to how they contract.Muscle hypertrophyMuscle hypertrophy is the increase in overall muscle volume that occurs as individual muscle fibers become thicker.Muscle knots“Muscle knots” is an everyday term for areas of muscle that feel like firm bands or knots and have a dull ache.Muscle memoryMuscle memory is the phenomenon in which, when you return to exercise after a break, you regain your previous skills and muscle much faster than someone stMuscle protein synthesisMuscle protein synthesis (MPS) is the process by which your body makes new muscle proteins and incorporates them into muscle.Muscle rigidityMuscle rigidity is a neurological term for stiff resistance that remains constant regardless of speed when someone else moves a joint for you.Muscle satellite cellsSatellite cells are muscle stem cells that wait right beside muscle fibers, then wake up when exercise or injury stimulates the muscle, helping it grow andMuscle spindleMuscle spindles are tiny sensory organs inside muscles that tell the spinal cord and brain how much and how quickly a muscle is being stretched.Muscle stiffnessSaying you have muscle stiffness is an everyday way of describing a state in which one side of your upper back, lower back, or neck stiffens up after wakinMuscle stiffness and catching painMuscle stiffness and catching pain describe a painful catching or pulling sensation in the muscles of the neck, shoulders, or back when moving in a particuMuscle strainA muscle strain is an injury in which a muscle or the area where a muscle meets a tendon is stretched beyond what it can tolerate, causing anything from miMuscle strengthMuscle strength is the maximum force a muscle can produce in a single effort.Muscle strippingMuscle stripping is a massage stroke that uses slow, deep pressure to sweep along the grain of a muscle.Muscle toneMuscle tone is the baseline state of tension maintained even when a muscle is at rest.Muscles and tendonsMuscles contract to generate force, and tendons are tough bands that transmit that force to bones.Muscles of masticationMuscles of mastication is the collective name for the muscles that move the lower jaw when you chew food.Muscular dystrophiesMuscular dystrophies are a group of conditions in which muscles gradually weaken because of genetic changes.Muscular enduranceMuscular endurance is the ability of muscles to repeatedly produce a relatively low level of force or sustain a steady force for a long time.Muscular powerMuscular power is the ability of muscles to produce force quickly.Musculocutaneous nerveThe musculocutaneous nerve branches off from a bundle of nerves near the armpit and travels down to the muscles at the front of the upper arm, carrying sigMusculoskeletal load in assembly line workWorking on a manufacturing line means repeating the same movements thousands of times a day at the pace of the conveyor.Musculoskeletal load in care workersCare workers use their low backs and shoulders throughout the day to support older adults with limited mobility, reposition them, and help them bathe and mMusculoskeletal load in school-age childrenThe reasons students experience aching in their neck, lower back, or knees vary by school stage.Musculoskeletal load in weldersWelding requires a clear view of the joint while keeping the hand holding the torch steady, so it involves long periods in the same posture.Musculoskeletal loading in agricultureFarming involves prolonged squatting or deep forward bending, carrying heavy crops and agricultural supplies, and exposure to vibration from power tillers Musculoskeletal screeningMusculoskeletal screening is a check of the body's current condition before starting exercise.Musculoskeletal stiffnessStiffness is a feeling of resistance or tightness rather than smoothness when you move your body.Musculoskeletal strain from houseworkThe reason your lower back, shoulders, wrists, and knees feel sore after housework is not that any single movement is especially demanding, but that brief Musculoskeletal strain from prolonged drivingMusculoskeletal strain from prolonged driving refers to the stiffness and aching in the lower back, buttocks, neck, and shoulders that come from sitting inMusculoskeletal strain in body scrub practitioners and massage therapistsBody scrub practitioners and massage therapists use their hands and arms to apply force to other people's bodies dozens of times a day, making them prone tMusculoskeletal strain in firefighters and rescue workersFirefighters and rescue workers climb stairs, crawl through tight spaces, and carry people while wearing protective firefighting clothing, breathing apparaMusculoskeletal strain in kitchen workersCooks and kitchen workers say they spend most of the day standing, leaving their legs and lower back feeling heavy and their wrists and shoulders sore by tMusculoskeletal strain in night and shift workWhy does your body feel stiffer and achier when you work nights or shifts?Musculoskeletal strain in office workersMusculoskeletal strain in office workers is an umbrella term for aching and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, and wrists that develMusculoskeletal strain in sewing and garment workLong hours of sewing and garment work can leave your neck and shoulders stiff, your wrists and fingers tired, and your lower back achy from sitting.Musculoskeletal workload in nursingNurses' physical workload comes from a combination of moving and supporting patients, long periods of standing and walking, and shift and night work.MyalgiaMyalgia is a broad term for pain, soreness, and stiffness in areas where there are muscles.Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndromeChronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic illness characterized by severe, long-lasting fatigue that does not improve with adequate rest, and by symptoms that MyelinMyelin is a fatty membrane that wraps around nerve fibers like the insulation on an electrical wire, allowing signals to travel quickly.MyoclonusMyoclonus refers to brief, lightning-like jerks of part of the body that happen involuntarily.Myofascial mappingMyofascial mapping is an assessment method used in Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT).Myofascial pain syndromeMyofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is the name for a condition in which knots in muscles and the fascia surrounding them cause pain, and pressing those knots mMyofascial releaseMyofascial release is a manual technique that applies slow, sustained pressure by hand to the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles, to gently Myofascial trigger pointA trigger point is a spot within a taut band of muscle that feels like a firm little bean.Myofascial unwindingMyofascial unwinding is a manual technique in which a practitioner supports an arm, leg, or the head and follows the direction the body naturally wants to MyofibrilMyofibrils are thin, threadlike contractile structures that fill muscle fibers.Myofibrillar versus sarcoplasmic hypertrophyMyofibrillar hypertrophy and sarcoplasmic hypertrophy are concepts that divide muscle growth into two types.MyofibroblastMyofibroblasts are cells that develop when fibroblasts change their form and acquire the ability to contract after an injury.MyokineMyokines are signaling substances that muscles produce and release during exercise.Myonuclear domainThe myonuclear domain is the volume of a cell managed by a single nucleus within a muscle fiber.Myositis ossificansMyositis ossificans is a phenomenon in which hard, bone-like tissue grows inside a muscle after a severe impact.MyosteatosisMyosteatosis is the accumulation of fat between and within muscles as we age or become less active. Think of the marbling in beef.Myotendinous junctionThe myotendinous junction is the boundary region where muscle connects to a tendon, serving as the main pathway for transferring the force generated by musMyotomeA myotome is a group of muscles supplied by a single spinal nerve root. It is the motor counterpart of a dermatome, which relates to sensory nerves.