BodyWiki · A–Z index
Entries starting with R
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Radial arteryThe radial artery runs down the thumb side of the forearm to the wrist. It is the blood vessel you feel when checking your pulse at the wrist.Radial collateral ligament of the elbowThe radial collateral ligament connects the upper arm bone to the forearm on the outside of the elbow.Radial nerveThe radial nerve travels down the back of the arm, providing the strength to bend the wrist and fingers backward toward the back of the hand, as well as seRadial tunnel syndromeRadial tunnel syndrome is a nerve compression condition considered when dull, poorly localized pain extends from the outside of the elbow to the back of thRadicular painRadicular pain occurs when a nerve root emerging from the spine is irritated, causing pain that feels as though it shoots into the arm or leg along the patRadiculopathyRadiculopathy is a condition in which a nerve root branching off the spinal cord is compressed or irritated and cannot function properly.Radiocarpal jointThe radiocarpal joint is where the radius in the forearm meets the wrist bones.Radiological interpretationRadiological interpretation is the process in which a radiologist reviews X-rays, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine images and documents the findinRadioulnar jointsThe radioulnar joints are where the two bones of the forearm, the radius and ulna, meet. They allow you to turn your palm up and down.RadiusThe radius is the bone on the thumb side of the forearm's two bones.Randomized controlled trialA randomized controlled trial (RCT) is a research method in which participants are randomly divided into two groups, much like drawing lots, a new intervenRange of motionRange of motion is the range of angles through which a joint can move.Rate of force developmentRate of force development is a measure of how quickly muscles build force, rather than how much absolute force they produce.Rating of perceived exertionRPE is a way to rate how hard exercise feels to you using a number.Raynaud phenomenonRaynaud phenomenon occurs when the blood vessels in the fingers and toes temporarily constrict excessively in response to cold or stress, causing the fingeReaction timeReaction time is the time from when a signal appears to when your body begins to respond.Reactive arthritisReactive arthritis is a condition in which joints become inflamed after an infection such as gastroenteritis or urethritis.Reassurance seekingReassurance seeking means repeatedly asking questions and checking to hear that “everything is okay” when you feel anxious or worried about your body.Rebound tendernessRebound tenderness is a symptom in which pain becomes more noticeable when a hand is lifted after slowly pressing on the abdomen.Reciprocal inhibitionReciprocal inhibition is the body's way of coordinating muscles: when one muscle contracts, the muscle that acts in the opposite direction reflexively relaReciprocal mobilityReciprocal mobility refers to the way the lowest lumbar vertebra (L5), sacrum, pelvis, and hip joints move in coordinated pairs in opposite directions duriReciprocal tension membraneThe reciprocal tension membrane is the concept that the membranes surrounding the brain inside the skull (the dura mater) maintain balance by pulling on onRecovery cryotherapy devicesRecovery cryotherapy devices are recovery equipment that delivers cold through specialized devices rather than ice packs.Recreational runningRecreational running means running regularly as part of everyday life for health and a change of mood, rather than to win races or set records.Rectus abdominisThe rectus abdominis is a pair of long muscles running vertically down the middle of the front of the abdomen.Rectus femorisThe rectus femoris runs straight down the center of the front of the thigh.Red blood cellRed blood cells are cells in the blood that carry oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body.Red flags and yellow flagsRed flags and yellow flags are a “traffic light” classification used when assessing pain, especially low back pain.Reduced lumbar lordosisReduced lumbar lordosis is a term for a lower back that looks straight when viewed from the side because the normally slight forward curve of the lumbar spReferred painReferred pain is pain felt somewhere away from the actual source of the problem.Reflex Ambulation TherapyReflex Ambulation Therapy is an Integrative Manual Therapy (IMT) approach that aims to rebuild gait by awakening the body's walking reflexes one at a time.ReflexologyReflexology is a manual therapy based on the idea that specific areas of the soles, palms, and ears are connected to internal organs.Regional interdependenceRegional interdependence is a perspective that suggests the place where you feel discomfort may differ from the place underlying it.Regression to the meanRegression to the mean is a statistical phenomenon in which an unusually extreme value tends to move back toward the average on the next measurement.RehabilitationRehabilitation is the entire process of rebuilding physical function lost after an injury, surgery, or illness so you can return to daily life and exerciseReikiReiki is a hands-on healing practice originating in Japan, based on the idea that a practitioner places their hands on or near the body and channels life eRelative flexibilityRelative flexibility is the concept that movement follows the path of least resistance, so the more mobile of two neighboring regions takes on some of the RelaxinRelaxin is a hormone whose secretion increases substantially during pregnancy, making ligaments and joints more supple than usual.REM and non-REM sleepSleep is not a single state, but a process in which non-REM sleep of varying depths alternates with dream-rich REM sleep in cycles of about 90 minutes.René CaillietRené Cailliet was an American rehabilitation physician known for a series of books that explained neck, shoulder, lower back, and knee pain through illustrRepeated bout effectThe repeated bout effect is an adaptation in which muscle soreness is noticeably reduced when you repeat an unfamiliar exercise after doing it once.RepetitionA repetition (rep) is a unit used to count one complete performance of an exercise movement from start to finish.Repetition maximumRM is a measure of the maximum number of repetitions you can perform with a given weight while maintaining proper form.Repetitions in reserveRIR is your own estimate of "how many more reps could I have done with this weight?" after finishing a set.Repetitive strain injuryRepetitive strain injury (RSI) is a broad term for aching and pain that develop as repeated movements or prolonged postures place accumulated strain on theRepetitive work and motionRepetitive work involves repeating the same movement in short cycles.Resistance bandA resistance band is an exercise tool that uses the pulling force generated as a rubber band stretches to provide resistance.Resistance trainingResistance training is an umbrella term for exercise that makes muscles produce force against resistance, such as dumbbells, machines, bands, or your own bRespiratory exchange ratioThe respiratory exchange ratio (RER) is the amount of carbon dioxide you breathe out divided by the amount of oxygen you take in.Respiratory pumpThe respiratory pump helps blood in the veins return toward the heart as pressure inside the chest and abdomen changes with each breath.Respiratory sinus arrhythmiaRespiratory sinus arrhythmia is a natural heart rhythm that occurs in everyone: your heart rate speeds up as you breathe in and slows down as you breathe oResponder analysisResponder analysis is a way of interpreting results by counting how many people actually improved meaningfully, rather than looking at average scores.Rest painRest pain is pain that continues even while you are sitting or lying down to rest.Restless legs syndromeRestless legs syndrome is a condition in which unpleasant sensations in the legs come with a strong urge to move them while resting or lying down.Retention and transfer testsA retention test checks how much of a movement is retained long after practice, while a transfer test checks how well someone performs in a new situation tReticular fibersReticular fibers are thin, branching fibers that support organs and cells throughout the body like a net.Reticuloendothelial systemThe reticuloendothelial system is an older name that grouped together the body's macrophages, which engulf and clear away bacteria, old cells, and foreign Retinacula and orthopedic supportsThe Korean term for “support” has two meanings.Retrocalcaneal bursitisRetrocalcaneal bursitis is a condition in which a small, fluid-filled cushioning sac (bursa) between the heel bone and the Achilles tendon is subjected to Return to sportReturn to sport (RTS) views the process of getting back to sport after an injury as a three-stage continuum: 'return to participation → return to sport → rRheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks the membrane surrounding the joints (the synovium).Rhomboid musclesThe rhomboids are diamond-shaped muscles connecting the spine to the inner border of the shoulder blade (scapula).Rib and chest wall pain during pregnancyIf you have an aching sensation beneath your ribs or along your sides in late pregnancy, as though the area is being compressed or stretched apart, it is lRib dysfunctionRib dysfunction is a manual therapy term for a condition in which a rib does not move up and down properly during breathing, remaining fixed in a raised orRib humpA rib hump is a visible bulge of the ribs on one side of the back.Rib stress fracture in golfersA rib stress fracture in golfers is an overuse injury in which repetitive swings cause a fine crack in a rib.RibsThe ribs are twelve pairs of curved bones that surround the chest.Rigid flatfootRigid flatfoot is a stiff, flat foot in which the inner arch does not reappear even when standing on tiptoe or raising the heel.Rigid tapingRigid taping uses firm, nonstretch tape to keep a joint from moving too far in a particular direction.Robert SchleipRobert Schleip is a German researcher at the forefront of fascia research.RolfingRolfing is a form of bodywork that slowly works the fascia by hand to align the body so it stands upright in gravity.Rolfing Ten SeriesThe Ten Series is the foundational program in Rolfing (structural integration), addressing the whole body in a set sequence over ten sessions.Rolling luggage and backpack hip beltsRolling luggage lets the wheels transfer the weight to the ground, making it much easier on your body than carrying the load yourself.Rosen Method BodyworkRosen Method Bodywork is a complementary bodywork approach that uses gentle touch and brief conversation to help people notice tension held in the body.Rotational angular breathingRotational angular breathing is a signature breathing technique used in the Schroth method.Rotator cuffThe rotator cuff is the collective name for four muscles—the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis—and their tendons, which originatRotator cuff disordersRotator cuff disorders is an umbrella term for problems affecting the four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder (the rotator cuff).Rotator cuff tearA rotator cuff tear is a partial tear or a break through the full thickness of one or more of the four tendons surrounding the shoulder (supraspinatus, infRotator cuff tendinopathyRotator cuff tendinopathy is a condition in which the tendons surrounding the shoulder become sensitive through repeated use and age-related changes, causiRotatores musclesThe rotatores are short muscles located right beside the vertebrae, in the deepest layer of the back muscles.Round ligament painRound ligament pain is a brief, sharp pulling pain in the lower abdomen or groin during pregnancy.Rounded shouldersRounded shoulders describes a posture in which the shoulders roll forward, making the upper back look rounded when viewed from the side.RS3PE syndromeRS3PE syndrome is a rare inflammatory rheumatic disease in older adults that causes sudden swelling on the backs of both hands and the tops of both feet, aRuffini corpuscleRuffini corpuscles are small sensory receptors in the joint capsules and ligaments surrounding joints.Runner's kneeRunner's knee is a common term for pain at the front or outside of the knee in people who run.Running economyRunning economy describes how little energy the body uses to sustain running at a given speed.Running gait cycleThe running gait cycle is the basic unit of running, counted from the moment one foot touches the ground until that same foot touches down again.Running-related injuriesThe term “running-related injuries” covers pain and musculoskeletal discomfort in the lower body, including the knees, feet, calves, and hips, that occur w