Analgesia: to relief pain. A medication or treatment that relieves pain is an analgesic.
Ankylosing spondylitis:  a systemic disease that causes arthritis and pain  of the spine and other joints. May also involve the eyes and heart valves.
Antibodies: Special proteins produced by the body's immune system that help fight and destroy viruses, bacteria, and other foreign substances (antigens) that invade the body. Occasionally, abnormal antibodies develop that can attack a part of the body and cause autoimmune disease. These abnormal antibodies are called autoantibodies.
Antigen: A foreign substance that stimulates an immune response.

Antineuropathics: group of medications used to treat neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is originated from nerves. Examples include peripheral neuropathy, "pinched nerves" in the spine. Types of antineuropathics include gabapentin (neurontin), TCA (amitriptyline, desipramine, nortriptyline). Some antineuropathics are also used for depression, seizures and could be referred as anti-convulsants or antidepressants.

Anticoagulants: medications used to "thin" blood. Commonly given to patients with heart conditions, strokes and deep thrombosis. These group of medications need to be stopped before injections. Examples include coumadin (warfarin), plavix, pletal, dypiridamol and aspirin.

Anticonvulsants: group of medications used to treat seizures. Widely used in for treatement of chronic pain. Examples include carbazepine, trileptal (oxcarbamazepine), gabapentin and topiramate.

Arthritis: inflammation of joints. May be infectious, part of a syndrome or  mechanical.
Arthrography: injecting a dye into a joint to provide a detailed image of the joint..
Bursa:  tissue located between bone and other moving structures such as muscles, skin, or tendons, allowing cushion and  movement between these structures. More than 150 bursae exist throughout the body.
Bursitis:  inflammation of a bursa. i.e. Tennis or golf elbow.
Cartilage: A type of  tissue that covers and cushions  the bones and absorbs shock. Damage may be painful.
CAT Scan: A radiology study, far more advanced than ordinary x-rays. Provides detailed information of organs and  joints.
Corticosteroids: anti-inflammmatory medications used to treat pain. Also known as glucocorticoids.

Epidural Space: space located in the spine. Communicates with spinal nerves. Starts at the coccys and ends at the base of the skull.

Facet joint: small joints of the spine. Localized from the neck to the low back.
Fibromyalgia: A systemic disorder characterized by generalized muscle pain, fatigue and many other vague symptoms.

Gout: Arthritis resulting from deposits of needle-like crystals of uric acid. Very painful and usually confined to one or few joints.
Hydrotherapy: physical therapy in the water.
Hyaluronan: substance injected into inflamed joints. Related to  hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid: natural occurring  substance in joints. Serves as cushion.
Hyperuricemia: Elevated levels  of uric acid. Responsible for gout.
Infectious arthritis: type of arthritis caused by a bacteria or virus.

Inflammation:  reaction of body tissue to injury. Pain, swelling and redness are present.
Joint: complex structure where two or more bones join. Formed among other by bone, cartilage,bursae, fibrous capsule, synovium, and ligaments.

Local Anesthetics: group of medications used to anesthetize "numb" skin and other tissues. commonly added to nerve blocks, epidurals and other injections. Bupivacaine, lidocaine, EMLA cream are some examples.
Lidocaine: medication used to anesthetize (numb) skin and underlying tissues. Belongs to the family of local anesthetics.

Ligaments: Special tissue around bones with the purpose of stabilizing joints. i.e.; anterior cruciate ligament or ACL, commonly injured in athletes.
Lupus Erythematous: immunological disease involving  joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain.
Lyme disease: A bacterial infection transmitted  by tick bites.

Marcaine: medication used to anesthetize (numb) skin and underlying tissues. Belongs to the family of local anesthetics.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): radiological study providing very clear images of the body. More detailed than a CAT-scan.
NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a group of medications, including aspirin, ibuprofen, and related drugs, used to reduce inflammation that causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling.

Opioids: medications derived from opium. Used for treatment of severe pain. Examples: morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, fentanyl.
Osteoporosis: loss of bone mass. Common in women, elders and possible in long term therapy with opioids.

Osteoarthritis: painful condition of the joinst. Caused by wear and tear.

Polymyalgia rheumatica: A rheumatic disease that involves tendons, muscles, ligaments, and tissues around the joints. Pain, aching, and morning stiffness in the neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips characterize the disease. It is sometimes the first sign of giant cell arteritis (a disease of the arteries characterized by inflammation, weakness, weight loss, and fever).
Polymyositis: A rheumatic disease that causes weakness and inflammation of muscles.
Psoriatic arthritis: Joint inflammation that occurs in about 5% to 10% of people with psoriasis (a common skin disorder).
Reactive arthritis: A form of arthritis. Develops after an infection.

Rheumatic: A term referring to a disorder or condition that causes pain or stiffness in the joints, muscles, or bone.
Rheumatoid arthritis: An inflammatory disease of the synovium, or lining of the joint, that results in pain, stiffness, swelling, deformity, and loss of function in the joints.
Rheumatoid factor: An antibody found in the bloodstream of some people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatologist: A doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders that affect the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.
Risk factor: Something that increases a person's chance of developing a disease, such as age, gender, ethnicity, and family history.
Sarapin: medication used instead of steroids. Safer with little side effects known to occur. No reported allergic reactions. Made of natural ingredients. controls pain and inflammation.

Scleroderma: A disease of the connective tissues and blood vessels that leads to hardening of the skin. Scleroderma can also damage internal organs such as the kidneys, lungs, heart, or gastrointestinal tract.

Spinal Cord Stimulator: procedure performed to alleviate a specific type of pain. Involves placing a small catheter into the epidural space and connected to a generator.
Synovial fluid: Fluid released into movable joints by surrounding membranes. The fluid lubricates the joint and reduces friction.
Tendinitis: Inflammation of tendons caused by overuse, injury, or related rheumatic conditions.
Tendon: Tough, fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone. Transcutaneous: Through the skin.