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Hacking-A percussion massage technique applied with the little, third and fourth finger with the palms facing each other, used for stimulation.
HBIG-(Hepatitis B Immune Globulin) An injection that contains antibodies to hepatitis B virus and offers prompt but short lived protection against Hepatitis B.
HBSAG-(Hepatitis B Surface Antigen) A serologic marker on the surface of the hepatitis B virus. The body will normally produce antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen as part of the normal immune response to infection. The presence of antibodies to the hepatitis B surface antigen that are detected in a positive hepatitis blood test.
Headache-Pain felt in the head or upper neck.
Healing-The restoration of well
Health-Optimal functioning with freedom from disease or abnormal processes; being free from physical and/or
psychological disease or ailment.
Healthy weight-A weight range that correlates with a less than average risk for weight-related health problems.
Heart-A muscular organ that pumps blood throughout the body.
Heart Disease-An abnormal condition of the heart or of the heart and circulation. See also "Cardiovascular Disease."  
Heart Rate Reserve (HRR)-Also called Maximum HRR is defined as the difference between the maximum Heart Rate and the resting Heart Rate.
Heat Exhaustion-Heat disorders, resulting from the body’s inability to efficiently dissipate heat through the sweating mechanism. Characterized by elevated body temperature, breathlessness, extreme tiredness, dizziness, and rapid pulse.
Heat Stress-The first stage of heat related illnesses from exercise in the heat. Heat stress begins when the body cannot sufficiently cool itself. Major factor: % relative humidity.
Heavy Pressure-Compressive force that extends to the bone under the tissue.
Heel spur-A bone projection on the lower surface of the calcaneus (heel bone) that causes pain when walking.
Heel Strike-The phase during locomotion when the heel contacts the ground following the swing through of the leg and before the entire foot contacts the ground for push off.
Hemarthrosis -Joint pain and swelling caused by bleeding into a joint.
Hematoma -An accumulation of blood, released from a broken blood vessel, into the surrounding tissues resulting in a clot formation (solid mass) and swelling.
Hemochromatosis-A rare disease of iron metabolism in which iron accumulates in body tissues. Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron.
Hemorrhage-An escape of blood through ruptured or un-ruptured vessels.
Hemorrhagic stroke-(Cerebral Hemorrhage) Occurs when an artery bursts and blood seeps from the rupture intosurrounding brain tissue and continues to do so until the seepage is blocked or the blood clots.
Hepatitis-Inflammation caused by viruses and chemicals (alcohol and some medications). New forms of hepatitis have been identified and the etiology and treatments are different for each. Hepatitis B is the most common type.
Hepatitis Type A-A form of viral hepatitis also called infectious hepatitis. It can spread through personal contact with oral secretions and bowel movements, and is also transmitted sexually. There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A.
Hepatitis Type B-(HepB) Inflammation caused by a virus that infects the liver. This form of viral hepatitis is known as serum hepatitis, because it is commonly spread through contact with infected blood products (transfusions orcontaminated needles). Hepatitis B may also be spread sexually or from mother to child during pregnancy.
Hepatitis Type C-A chronic viral form of hepatitis primarily caused through transfusions or contaminated needlesSexual transmission is rare. There is no specific treatment yet, although interferon may be successful in some people.
Hepatitis Type D-A rare form of hepatitis that occurs in some individuals with hepatitis B. Treatment is the same as for hepatitis B and individuals who develop this type of hepatitis are more likely to suffer more severe illness.
Herniated Disc-Refers to a protrusion of a vertebral disc, a disorder involving displacement of the internal components of the vertebral disc beyond the outer wall of the disc. A herniated disc may occur either in the cervical or lumbar spine. Symptoms vary in degree and severity, but radiating pain, numbness or tingling, and weakness in the arms or legs, is common.
High Blood Cholesterol-Blood cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dl.
High Blood Pressure-Blood pressure with either the systolic number, or top number above 140, or the diastolic number, or bottom number above 90.
High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)-Known as good cholesterol; it helps carry bad cholesterol away from the artery walls, thus preventing build-up of cholesterol in the artery walls.
High Impact Activities-Aerobics (unless otherwise specified), jogging, running.
Hip Flexors-The muscles located on the front aspect of the hip, joining the hip and the femur (thighbone). These muscles contract to decrease the angle between the legs and torso. (e.g. walking, sit-up, knee lift)
HIPAA-Requires health care provider to inform clients about privacy rights and how their information can be used.
Histamine-A chemical produced by the body that dilates the blood vessels.
Homeostasis-A condition that describes balance of the body's functions.
Hormonal stimulus-Other hormones stimulate endocrine organs.
Hormone-A messenger chemical in the bloodstream.
Hormones-A chemical messenger secreted by a variety of glands in the body. Each hormone affects a specific tissue or organ and elicits a specific response.
Horse stance -Facing the table directly working on the area right in front of you…feet shoulder width apart and knees bent.
HR Max-Maximum Heart Rate. The highest heart rate value attainable during an all out effort to the point of exhaustion.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-A type of retrovirus that is responsible for the fatal illness, AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). It weakens the body's immune system, decreasing its ability to fight lethal infections and cancers. (See AIDS).
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-A disease caused by the human papilloma virus, characterized by a soft, wart-like growth on the genitalia, called genital warts.
Humeral Head-Top portion of the upper arm bone, humerus, which moves at the shoulder joint to allow motion at the joint.
Humerus-Upper arm bone extending from the shoulder to the elbow.
Hypersensitivity-An exaggerated response to a stimulus or foreign property.
Hyperstimulation Analgesia-Diminishing the perception of a sensation by stimulating large
Hypertension-(High Blood Pressure) A disease in which the heart pumps blood through the circulatory system with much greater force than necessary, eventually damaging the arteries. Diagnosed with a systolic (top) blood pressure reading of >140mm/hg or a diastolic (bottom) of >90mm/hg on 2 separate readings.
Hyperthyroidism-Excessive secretion of the thyroid gland, which increases basal metabolic rate.
Hypertonic-The existence of a greater level of tension.
Hypertonicity-Increase in muscle tone resulting in muscle tension.
Hypertrophy-Increase in the size of a tissue or organ brought about by the enlargement of its cells rather than by cell multiplication. Muscles undergo this change in response to increased stimulus/demands/work. For example, muscles hypertrophy occurs with strength training.
Hypertrophy-Increase in muscle cell size.
Hypo-Used in prefix form; meaning below normal or deficient.
Hypomobiltiy-Deficient or abnormally decreased range of motion in a joint; movement is within the normal plane of motion, but limited. The opposite of hypomobility is hypermobility.
Hypothalamus-Contains the "thermostat" to regulate body’s temperature (part of the endocrine system).
Hypothermia-Low core body temperature.
Hypothyroidism-Deficiency of thyroid secretion, which decreases basal metabolic rate.
Hypotonic-A tissue that possesses a lesser degree of tension.
Hypoxia-Below normal levels of oxygen; insufficient amount of oxygen.