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Dictionary A - B

A

Acupressure: Similar in theory to acupuncture but without needles, involves putting pressure on specific points on the body.

Acupuncture: The practice of inserting needles into certain points in the body with a therapeutic goal such as to reduce pain or induce anesthesia.

Acupunturist: A person skilled in the practice of acupuncture.

Analgesic: A drug that relieves pain

Ankylosing spondylitis: Click here .

Antibodies: Special proteins of the immune system. Produced by white blood cells, they circulate in the blood seeking and attaching to foreign proteins, microorganisms or toxins in order to neutralize them.

Antigen: Substances that are capable of causing the production of antibodies.

Arthritis: Inflammation of a joint. Symptoms include stiffness, warmth, swelling, redness and pain. There are over 170 types of arthritis.

Arthrocentesis (joint aspiration): Click here .

Arthroscopy: Click here .

Assistive Device: Any device that is designed, and/or adapted to assist a person to perform a particular task. For example, canes, crutches, walkers, wheel chairs, and shower chairs are all assistive devices.

Autoimmune diseases: Illnesses which occur when the body is attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex organization within the body that is designed normally to "seek and destroy" invaders of the body, particularly infections. Patients with autoimmune diseases have unusual antibodies in their blood that target their own body tissues.

B

Biopsy : The removal of a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Bursa: A closed fluid-filled sac that functions as a gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body. The major bursae are located adjacent to the tendons near the large joints, such as the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees.

Bursitiis, calcific: Chronic inflammation of the bursa can lead to calcification of the bursa. This is referred to as "calcific bursitis." The calcium deposition (calcification) can occur as long as the inflammation is present.