Nomenclatures of anatomical distortions of the spine: a comparison

A review of the major chiropractic, osteopathic and medical nomenclatures for describing anatomical distortions of the spine is presented. A survey of the institutions demonstrates 10 separate nomenclatures currently being employed by the three professions to describe similar anatomical distortions of the spine. This wide variety of nomenclature can only be seen as creating barriers to communication both inter- and intraprofessionally. Because there are two differing conceptual principles for the definition of an anatomical distortion of the spine, an argument is presented for the adoption of two universal nomenclatures.