Ache, acute, Active Summary, adhesions..

Ache   A dull persistent pain. Aches in joints or in muscles generally occur when blood flow to them has been reduced. Maintaining a static posture requires constant muscular contraction which can lead to fatigue and ache. Another common cause of ache is lack of motion. If a joint is restricted in its motion, the natural consequence is that it will begin to ache. Moving an achy joint will stretch the muscles connected to it and stimulate blood flow to the area. In today's workplace, using a computer requires very little motion and therefore commonly causes aches. More about work-related upper body disorders (WRULD).

Acute   A symptom which is characterized by a sudden or quick onset with an identifiable cause. e.g. a sharp pain.

Activity Summary (Desk Doctor)   The Desk Doctor application monitors your work and rest patterns, and displays the results in the Activity Summary. This can be accessed from the Health Monitor. Information including your Health Score, amount of keystrokes and mouse clicks, microbreaks taken and exercises completed are stored here. You may also view your summaries for any other day, week or month. More on Desk Doctor features.

Adhesions   A fibrous band of scar tissue that binds together normally separate internal body structures. Adhesions are very common between muscles and their overlying fascia. An adhesion may be felt under skin in the form of a small bump. Adhesions usually occur as a result of local inflammation or injury. Muscular adhesions respond well to massage and long slow stretches like those used in Yoga. Example of exercises to improve muscle flexibility.

Adhesive Capsulitis   A condition of the shoulder characterized by severe restriction especially in lifting the arm out to the side and up. The shoulder joint is a ball and socket with a very wide range of motion. Any injury to the supporting muscles or ligaments will create a lessening of the shoulder mobility. Adhesive Capsulitis is a condition where the ligament network (called the fibrous capsule) which surrounds the joint becomes adhered (stuck) - generally due to a previous injury. Adhesive Capsulitis often also involves severe tension or weakness of the deep muscles which surround the joint called the rotator cuff muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis). Frozen Shoulder is another common term for this condition. Rehabilitation of Adhesive Capsulitis may require manipulation of the joint and a course of physiotherapy and exercises. More about rehabilitating adhesive capsulitis.

Anatomy   The study of the structure of the body and the inter-relations of its parts.