bonesetters
Traditional fracture healers
Bonesetters are practitioners who manipulate bones and joints to treat fractures, dislocations, and musculoskeletal problems.
Historically they learned through apprenticeship rather than formal medical training, working alongside or in competition with physicians.
The term now appears mostly in historical contexts or in reference to traditional healers in some cultures: The village bonesetter reset his broken arm.
Device immobilizing injured limbs
- castPerformers, throw, or splint
- breakInterrupt continuity
- crackNarrow break or attempt
- realignmentAdjusting relative positions
reduction · immobilization · compound · simple · stress · spiral · greenstick · comminuted
Manual medicine practitioner
- chiropractorPractitioner who adjusts spines
- physiotherapistMovement rehabilitation specialist
- orthopedistMusculoskeletal system physician
- surgeonPhysician who operates
naturopath · acupuncturist · clinician · therapist · doctor · practitioner · specialist · bodyworker
Alteration to improve fit
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- repositioningMoving to new spot
- palpationMedical examination by touch
- manualWritten instructions for use
technique · dexterity · pressure · movement · correction · traction · massage · mobilization
Shared by multiple parties
- ligamentConnective tissue between bones
- tendonMuscle-to-bone connector
- cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
- dislocationForced out of position
muscle · tissue · spine · vertebrae · limb · shoulder · hip · knee
Regular common people
- healerOne who restores health
- curanderoLatin American folk healer
- shamanIndigenous spiritual healer
- herbalistPractitioner using plant medicines
village · remedy · ancestral · indigenous · lineage · apprenticeship · empirical · generational
splint
Device immobilizing injured limbs
realignment · reduction · immobilization · compound · simple · stress · spiral · greenstick · comminuted · transverse
osteopath
Manual medicine practitioner
- chiropractorPractitioner who adjusts spines
- physiotherapistMovement rehabilitation specialist
- orthopedistMusculoskeletal system physician
surgeon · naturopath · acupuncturist · clinician · therapist · doctor · practitioner · specialist · bodyworker · manipulator
adjustment
Alteration to improve fit
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- repositioningMoving to new spot
- palpationMedical examination by touch
manual · technique · dexterity · pressure · movement · correction · traction · massage · mobilization · stretching
joint
Shared by multiple parties
- ligamentConnective tissue between bones
- tendonMuscle-to-bone connector
- cartilageFlexible connective body tissue
dislocation · muscle · tissue · spine · vertebrae · limb · shoulder · hip · knee · ankle
folk
Regular common people
herbalist · village · remedy · ancestral · indigenous · lineage · apprenticeship · empirical · generational · tribal
- Curanderismocurandera, curandero, egg cleansing, spiritual cleansing, copal
bonesettersorthopedic surgeons
Doctors who operate on skeletons
surgeons · orthopedists · medical doctors · pharmacologists · radiologists