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Safe Touch-Secure, respectful, considerate, sensitive, responsive, sympathetic, understanding, supportive, and empathetic touch.
Salicylates-A group of chemical substances with anti-inflammatory properties. These drug compounds are similar to and include aspirin.
Same Gender Massage-Client and therapist are of same sex or gender.
Sanitation-The formulation and application of measures to promote and establish conditions favorable to
healthspecifically public health.
Saturated Fats-Fats associated with an increased risk of heart disease and are generally hard at room temperature. (e.g. butter, bacon grease, fats in meats and cheese, and the tropical oils: coconut, palm kernel and palm)
Scoliosis-Lateral curvature of the spine to the left or right, usually in the thoracic region.
Scope Of Practice-The knowledge base and practice parameters of a profession.
Screening Tests-Examination of people with no symptoms, to detect unsuspected diseases.
Second Degree Sprain or Strain-Partially torn fibers, moderate swelling, moderate limitations.
Sedentary-(Referring to lifestyle) Engaging in no regular exercise, performing minimal walking and movement, 75% of the day spent sitting or lying down.
Self Testicular Exam (STE)-A self-examination in which an individual performs a manual inspection of the testes (testicles), palpating (feeling) for lumps.
Semi-Supine-Face up with a back-rest to prop up torso (as used in pregnancy massage)
Set -A number of repetitions performed without any rest. (e.g. one set of ten repetitions or 1 X 10)
Sexual Misconduct-Any behavior that is sexually oriented in the professional setting.
Shaking-A technique in which the body area is grasped and shaken in a quick, loose movement; sometimes classified as rhythmic mobilization.
Shattered-Comminuted fracture
Shin Splint-A general term for any pain, tenderness, or discomfort on the front or side of the lower leg following
strenuous activity. Inflammation occurs at the fascia connecting the leg bones or from minute tissue tears. Shin splints are an example of an overuse injury.
Short Term Goals-Objectives usually to be met within a year. (e.g. losing 1-2 lbs. each week for the next month)
Shoulder Girdle-Consists of shoulder blades (scapula), collarbones (clavicles) and supportive structures that attach the bones of the upper extremities (arms) to the spine.
Side Lying-Lying on side with pillows under head arm and knee.
Snuff-A preparation of finely pulverized tobacco that can be drawn up into the nostrils by inhaling.
S.O.A.P. Charting-A problem-oriented method of medical record keeping; the acronym soap stands for subjective, objective, assessment, and plan.
Social Skills Learning Theory-A behavioral theory that postulates that persons with unhealthy social skills (e.g. distorted views on eating) can adapt healthy social skills through behavioral training.
Sodium-A mineral needed by the body to regulate fluid balance, help muscles relax, transmit nerve impulses and regulate blood pressure. Table salt is made up of 40% sodium and 60% chloride.
Sodium Intake-The amount of sodium consumed in an individual's diet. American Heart Association recommends consumption of no more than 3,000 milligrams of sodium chloride per day.
Soft Tissue-The skin, fascia, muscles, tendons, joint capsules, and ligaments of the body; Tissue that is not bone.
Soft Tissue Injury -Injury to a muscle, tendon or ligament NOT injury to a bone. Ligament sprains and muscle strains are examples of soft tissue injuries.
Somatic-Pertaining to the body.
Somatic Pain-Pain that arises from stimulation of receptors in the skin (superficial somatic pain) or in skeletal
muscles, joints, tendons, and fascia (deep somatic pain).
Spasticity-A state of increased muscle tone with exaggerated muscle tendon reflexes.
Specificity-Focusing massage techniques on a specific condition and in a small area.
Specificity of Training-Training should be relevant to the demands of the activity and work the muscles involved in a manner resembling the movements performed during the activity. (e.g. if training to improve a softball pitch, concentrate on the muscles of the upper arm and shoulder; also training should imitate the throwing motion)
Speed of Movement-The speed that repetitions are performed.
SSE (skin self exam)-A self-examination in which an individual performs a visual inspection of the skin, looking for new skin lesions and changes to existing lesions such as moles.
Stabilize-To maintain firm or steady.
Stabilizer Muscles-Muscles designed to protect the integrity of a joint and responsible for stabilizing one joint, so a specific movement can occur at another. (e.g. the intrinsic muscles of the foot protect the ankle and the hip abductor on one side stabilizes the pelvis and trunk while the opposite leg abducts)
Stacking the joints-Pressure applied along the line of the bones and through the joints.
Staging-A system used to determine how far a type of cancer has spread. Health providers select appropriate treatment based on the stage. (See also Cancer Stage).
Static Stabilizers-Synonymous with stabilizer muscles. Muscles designed to protect the integrity of a joint. They function to maintain equilibrium without movement.
Static Stretch-Stretching muscle tissue to a comfortable position, then holding this position for a period of time, usually 10–30 seconds. This stretch is low force, long duration, and is the safest stretch to perform if performed properly.
STD-Sexually transmitted disease.
Sternum (breast bone)-A flat, narrow bone, situated in the median line of the front of the chest.
Steroid Medications-Hormonal preparations that are used primarily for anti-inflammatory purposes in arthritis or asthma, however they are also useful for treating malignancies or compensating for a deficiency of natural hormones (i.e. synthroid is a synthetic hormone taken by persons with hypothyroidism).
Steroids-Name given to some hormones produced by the body that act as chemical transmitters.
Stimulation-Excitation that activates the sensory nerves.
Stool-Fecal discharge of the bowels.
Stored Fat-Approximately 98-99% of body fat is composed of white fat cells, also called storage fat. Commonly seen on hips and buttocks in women; upper torso or abdominal area for men. Excessive caloric intake combined with inactivity will promote production of white fat cells, increasing total body fat weight.
Strain-A traumatic injury causing overstretching or tearing of a muscle or tendon beyond its normal limits.
Strength-The force or tension that a muscle or muscle group can exert against a resistance.
Strength Testing-Testing intended to determine whether a muscle is responding with sufficient strength to perform the required body functions. Strength testing determines a muscle's force of contraction.
Streptococcus Pneumonia-A type of pneumonia caused by streptococcal bacteria.
Stress-Any kind of force or pressure; it can be physical, emotional or situational.
Any substantial change in routine or any activity that forces the body to adapt.
Stress Fracture-A micro fracture or incomplete fracture caused by frequent, excessive, or repeated stresses or overuse to a bone (such as in running or marching long distances). The rate of bone breakdown exceeds the rate of bone repair.
Stressors-Any internal perceptions or external stimuli that demand a change in the body.
Stretch Receptor-A cell or group of cells found between muscle fibers responding to stretch of the muscle by
transmitting impulses to the central nervous system. Stretch receptors are part of the proprioceptive system necessary for the performance of coordinated muscular activity. The golgi tendon organ is an example of a sensory receptor.
Stretch Reflex-Involuntary reflex contraction of a muscle in response to it being stretched. The muscle will try to contract to oppose the stretch. The muscle spindle is the sensory organ responsible for initiating the contraction. The stretch reflex occurs with ballistic stretching and inhibits the desired stretch.
Stretching-The act of elongating (making long) muscle and connective tissues to improve range of motion around a joint; mechanical tension applied to lengthen the myofascial unit (muscles and fascia).
Stroke-~ Cardiovascular Accident ~ Sudden decrease or loss of consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion caused by rupture or obstruction (as by a clot) of an artery of the brain.  “Cardiovascular Accident”  ~  A technique of therapeutic massage that is applied with a movement on the surface of the body, whether superficial or deep.
Subacute-Describing a condition, illness, or disease that progresses more rapidly than a chronic condition but does not become acute. Improve from an acute condition.
Subluxation-Partial or incomplete dislocation of a joint so that the bone ends are misaligned, but still in contact, usually a subluxation is self-reducing.
Subtle Energies-Weak electrical fields that surround and run through the body.
Suffering-An overall impairment of a person's quality of life.
Suicide-The taking of one's own life.
Sun block-Used to protect the skin form the sun’s dangerous ultra violet rays; usually applied as an ointment or cream.
Superficial Fascia-The connective tissue layer just under the skin.
Superficial Pressure-Pressure that remains on the skin.
Superior-Situated higher in the body in relation to another structure or surface (e.g. towards the head). For example, the eyes are superior to the mouth. The opposite of inferior.
Supination-The act of assuming a supine position, or lying on the back face up. The act of turning the palm up or shifting the body weight to the outside of the foot. The opposite of supination is pronation.
Supine-Lying in a face up position. Supine is the opposite of prone
Symmetry-The opposite sides of the body, right and left, are equal in size, shape and relative position. The right and left sides of the body are mirror images of each other.
Symptoms-The subjective abnormalities felt only by the patient.
Synergist-A muscle or organ that enhances, cooperates, or aids the action of another muscle.   (Muscles that support the prime mover)
Synovial Fluid-A thick colorless lubricating fluid that surrounds a joint or bursa and fills a tendon sheath that nourishes and lubricates the cartilage of a joint.
Synovial Joint-A joint lined with synovial membrane that secretes synovial fluid.
Synovitis-Inflammation of the synovial membrane. A swollen and painful joint, especially with motion, characterizes the condition.
Systemic Disease-Pertaining to or affecting the body as a whole.
Systemic Massage-Massage structured to affect one body system primarily. This approach usually is used for lymphatic and circulation enhancement massage.
Systolic-The maximum pressure in the arteries, which occurs when the heart is contracting. Represented by the top number in the fraction of the blood pressure reading.