Glossary
Here are some simple explanations of words you might hear when talking about your muscles, joints, bones and pain. This glossary is written for children and young people.
Analgesics
This is a word for medicines that people take to help with their aches and pains. The most common types are paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Consultation
This is a word used for a visit to a doctor or another healthcare professional.
Diagnosis
A medical explanation, or label, used to describe a health condition.
GP or General Practitioner
A GP is a doctor who provides general healthcare services to people of all ages. This is the doctor you usually see at your local GP surgery.
Healthcare
A general term for the services and professionals who help you understand and manage your health or illness.
Musculoskeletal pain
This includes common aches and pains that children and young people get in their bones, muscles and joints. These can be sore knees or wrists, ankle pain, hurting feet or hands, or back ache. Musculoskeletal is sometimes written as MSK.'
Orthopaedic Surgeon
A doctor who specialises in surgery involving bones, joints and muscles.
Paediatrician
A doctor who specialises in children's health.
Pain
This is a word for the feeling you get in your body when something hurts or aches, or is sore, painful or stiff, or makes you go 'ouch'.
Pain management
Things that can help reduce pain or help you keep doing the things you want to do, even if pain continues. This can include advice and treatments from healthcare professionals, as well as things you do yourself.
Pharmacy
A place where you can buy medicines or collect medicine prescribed by a doctor. It is sometimes called a chemist.
Physiotherapist
A healthcare professional who helps people improve movement and manage pain. This may include exercises, hands-on treatment, and advice.
Primary care
The first healthcare professionals you usually see when you need medical help. This could be a GP, nurse, pharmacist, a doctor at a walk-in centre, or sometimes a physiotherapist.
Prescription
A note or electronic request from a doctor for medicine. This is sent to a pharmacy where the medicine can be collected.
Referral
When a doctor asks another healthcare professional with specialist knowledge to see you and help with your care.
Rheumatologist
A doctor who specialises in conditions affecting the joints, muscles and bones.
Treatment
This means the medical care or management that you get from a healthcare professional.