CAD: Cervical acceleration/deceleration (the kind of force-induced kinematic response occurring in the occupants of rear-struck vehicles). CAD is typically called “whiplash” by laypersons.

CBP: Chiropractic Biophysics/Clinical Biomechanics of Posture: A technique Pioneered by Dr. Don Harrison applying mathematical modeling and engineering principles to the spine and creating normative values concerning the structure and the application of postural exercise, traction and spinal adjustments for the purpose of spinal correction. http://www.chiropracticbiophysics.com/pages/cbp_technique.htm

Cancer: A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and can spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the bloodstream. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. When there is cancer of the spine, it is usually what is termed “metastases” or a cancer in the spine that has spread from other parts of the body. Common causes are breast and prostate cancers. Some cancers, such as multiple myeloma, can originate within the spine. Typically, lying down or bending forward does NOT relieve spinal pain associated with cancer. A clinical red flag is that pain may wake you at night.

Cavitation: Pop that occurs in a spinal joint when vertebral joint surfaces (facets) are separated to create a vacuum that allows the release carbon dioxide gas.

Cerebellum: Lower part of the brain that controls balance, posture and coordination of all muscular movements and information from the body as it enters the brain for processing.

Cerebral Cortex: The part of your brain that coordinates all sensory and motor activities. Different areas of it are specifically associated with memory, learning and behavior.

Cervical: Pertaining to the structures of the neck. There are 7 cervical vertebra in the neck.

Chronic: Persisting for a long period of time (more than 6 months).

Chronic Pain: Pain that extends beyond the expected period of healing or is related to progressive disease. It is usually elicited by an injury or disease but may be perpetuated by factors that are both pathogenically and physically remote from the original cause. Because the pain persists, it is more likely that environmental and psychological factors interact with the tissue damage, contributing to the persistence of pain and illness behavior.

Claudication: Pain or cramping in the lower extremities brought upon by walking. There are two distinct causes: Vascular claudication: Insufficient blood supply to the legs (arterial insufficiency), and neurogenic claudication: often caused by pressure upon the spinal nerves within the spinal canal, usually the result of the gravity causing the disc and weakened ligaments to bulge into the nerves when standing. Both types of pain must be distinguished from other causes of lower extremity pain. The major difference between these two is that merely standing (even without walking) can cause neurogenic claudication but not vascular claudication. Vascular claudication can be brought on even when not standing.

Compression: Opposite of tensile stress, direct pressure. A downward force on the head, for example, would result in axial compression of the spine.

Compression Fractures: A vertebral fracture which arises from constant or sudden pressure, and is often the result of axial compression. They are usually quite painful, can occur for a variety of reasons such as trauma, motor vehicle crashes, or pathology.

Computed Tomography (CT): CT is an imaging technique, utilized for gaining anatomical information from a cross-sectional plane of the body. Each image is generated by a computer synthesis of x-ray transmission data obtained in many different directions in a given plane. http://www.idifwb.com/services/ct.htm

Congenital: A condition that exists at or dates from birth and may be acquired during development in the uterus. Congenital conditions are not classified as hereditary.

Contracture: A permanent shortening (of a muscle, tendon, or scar tissue) producing a loss of motion, deformity, or distortion.

Consultation: A specific time set aside between the physician and either the patient and/or family member or interested person for the purpose of discussing the history of the complaint, the complaint and or proposed treatment recommendations.

Cranial Nerves: Specialized nerves that emerge directly from the brain and are responsible for special senses and functions, in contrast to spinal nerves which emerge from segments of the spinal cord. Although thirteen cranial nerves in humans fit this description, twelve are conventionally recognized and run in pairs. They are as follows: Olfactory (I), Optic (II), Oculomotor (III), Trochlear (IV), Trigeminal (V), Abducens (VI), Facial (VII), Auditory (VIII), Glossopharyngeal (IX), Vagus (X), Spinal Accessory (XI), and Hypoglossal (XII). http://info.med.yale.edu/caim/cnerves/