CSPE protocol
Adopted: 5/02
Revised: 7/16, 10/09
Abbreviations
The following is a list of abbreviations used at Western States Chiropractic College clinics.
This list is not intended to be absolute nor universally comprehensive. Other standard
abbreviations may be used that are not represented here. This list was drawn from a seed
article [Hansen DT. Standard chart abbreviations in chiropractic practice. Chiropractic
Technique 1991;3(2):96-103] and then edited. The CSPE committee deleted
abbreviations that were uncommonly seen or used in our clinics as well as those felt to be
so common that inclusion was unnecessary. Abbreviations were then added to the list by
the committee as well as by other faculty on campus.
Abbreviations that have proven useful in our clinic system, but which may not be standard
in a wider arena, have been placed in italics.
Note: Some symbols are encircled (e.g., pain = ) which is appropriate for paper
charting. In electronic charting the circle is usually omitted (e.g., pain = P).
This document is organized two ways: 1) organized by abbreviation and 2) organized by
meaning.
Copyright © 2002 Western States Chiropractic College
2016 & 2009 Revision
 Ronald LeFebvre, DC
Clincial Standards, Protocols & Education (CSPE) Committee
 Elizabeth Dunlop, DC
 Lorraine Ginter, DC
 Ronald LeFebvre, DC
 Ravid Raphael, DC
Other reviewers/contributors
 Joel Agresta, PT, DC (instructor for PT I and PT II)
 Lee McCaffrey, DC (instructor for Soft Tissue I and Rehab II)
 Karen E. Petzing, DC
 Anita Roberts, DC
Editorial assistant
 Linda Myers
ABBREVIATIONS
Page 1 of 8
ORGANIZED BY ABBREVIATION
Abbreviation
Definition
Abbreviation
Definition
Ø
#
none
blood pressure

pain


/d
/m
/wk
‘
“
<
>
≈
increased
®
Θ
right




1°
1x/w
2°
2-4x/m
2xw/3w
3°
AAROM
abd
abn
add
adj
ADL
alt h/c
am
ant
AP
AROM
ASAP
ASIS
asym
B
B/B
B4
bi/bilat
bid
BMR
change
BP or Bp
c
¯
c/o
C/T
CA
CAD
CAD
cc
CFM
CHF
chr
CMT
COPD
CR
CRAC
crep
cryo
CT
ctx
CVA
CVJ
Cx
D
d/t
dbl
def
delt
dev
dim
DJD
DOB
DOD
DOE
DOI
DOMS
DOT
DPT
DTR
Dx
e
EAM
ECG
EEG
EENT
EHL
pound or fracture
much increased
per day
per month
per week
hours
minutes
less than
greater than
approximately
negative, normal, absent
micro
decreased
much decreased
primary, first degree
1 time per week
secondary, second degree
2-4 times per month
2 times per week for 3 weeks
tertiary, third degree
active assisted range of motion
abduction
abnormal
adduction
adjustment
activities of daily living
alternating hot/cold (contrast hot/cold)
morning
anterior
anterior-posterior
active range of motion
as soon as possible
anterior superior iliac spine
asymmetrical
burning
bowel or bladder
before
bilaterally
twice a day
basal metabolic rate
ABBREVIATIONS
with
complains of
cervicothoracic
cancer
coronary artery disease
cervical acceleration deceleration
chief complaint
cross friction massage
congestive heart failure
chronic
chiropractic manipulative therapy
chromic obstructive pulmonary disease
contract relax
contract relax antagonist contract
crepitation(s)
cryotherapy
Computed tomography
cervical traction
cerebrovascular accident
costovertebral joint
cervical
dull
due to
double
deficiency
deltoid
deviation
diminished
degenerative joint disease
date of birth
date of draw
date of exam
date of injury
delayed onset muscle soreness
department of transportation
diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
deep tendon reflexes
diagnosis
electrical
external auditory meatus
electrocardiogram
electroencephalogram
ear, eyes, nose, and throat
extensor hallicus longus
Page 2 of 8
Abbreviation
Definition
ENT
ER
eval
eve
exac
ext
Ext
FH or FHx
fix
flex or Flx
freq
FU
Fx
GHJ
GI
gmax
gmed
gmin
grad
GTT
GU
gyn
h
H&P
HA
Ham
hern
HLA
HMP
HNP
hp
HR
HTN
HVG
HVT
hx
Hz
ear, nose and throat
IASTM
IFC
IIC
Insp
int
int comp
ipsi
IR or Infrd
IU
IVD
jt
emergency room
evaluation (-ed)
evening
exacerbation (-ed)
external
extension
family history
fixation
flexion
frequency
follow-up
fracture
glenohumeral joint
gastrointestinal
gluteus maximus
gluteus medius
gluteus minimus
gradually
glucose tolerance test
genitourinary
gynecological
hour
history and physical
headache
hamstring
herniation
human leukocyte antigen A (HLA B-27)
hot moist pack
herniated nucleus pulposis
hot pack
hold relax
high blood pressure/hypertension
high volt galvanism
high volt therapy
history
hertz
Instrument assisted soft tissue
manipulation
interferential current
intermittent ischemic compression
inspiration
intermittent
Intermittent compression
ipsilateral
infrared (lamp)
International unit
intervertebral disc
joint
ABBREVIATIONS
Abbreviation
L
Definition
L/S
L5
Lab
Lat
LB
LBP
LE
LFAC
Lig
LLF
LMP
LMT
LOC
LR, LROT
LRR
LVG
Lx
lx tr or lxt
lxt or lx tr
mA
manip
MED
meds
MENS
MFTP
MI
min
mm or msl
MMI
MMR
mo
mob
mod
MP
MR
MRI
MVA
mVAS
N
N&V
n/a or NA
N/C
NAD
NARE
NB
NC
Neg
NP
lumbosacral
left
fifth lumbar
laboratory
lateral
low back
low back pain
lower extremity
sine-low frequency alternating current
ligament
left lateral flexion
last menstural period
licensed massage therapist
loss of consciousness
left rotation
left rotation restriction
low volt galvanic
lumbar
lumbar traction
lumbar traction
milli amp
manipulate
minimal erythemal dose
medications
microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation
myofascial trigger point(s)
myocardial infarction
minute
muscles
maximum (medical) improvement
measles, mumps, rubella
month
mobilize
moderate
motion palpation
myofascial release
magnetic resonance imaging
motor vehicle accident
mechanical visual analog scale
normal or negative
nausea & vomiting
not applicable
no charge
no apparent distress
no apparent residual effects
(nota bene) note well
no change, non contributory
negative
new patients, not performed
Page 3 of 8
Abbreviation
Definition
Abbreviation
Definition
NRE
NTT
NTW
o/o
OA
ob
occ
OPS
OTC
OV
p
PA
Pafn
palp
palp (P)
Pass
PE
pec
no residual effects
QA
r/o
rad
rads
rec
ref
rehab
resp
rhom
RLFR
ROM
ROT
RR
RROT, RR
RRR
RTW
Russ Stim
Rx
s
S
sac
SCJ
SCM
seg
sev
SI
sl
SLR
quality assurance
PERRLA
perc
pfs
PHx
PI
PID
PIR
piri
pm
Pmaj
PMS
Pn
PNF
pos
post
pp
pps
PR
preg
PRN
prod
prog/px
PROM
prox
PS
PSIS
PT
pt
PTR
q
normal (temperature) to touch
numbness tingling or weakness
on and off
osteoarthritis
obstetrics
occasional; occiput
oral pain scale
over the counter drugs
office visit
para
posterior-anterior
paraffin bath
palpation
palpatory pain
passive
physical examination
pectoralis
pupils equal round regular react to light
accommodate
percussion
post-facilitation stretch
past history
personal injury
pelvic inflammatory disease
post isometric relaxation
piriformis
afternoon
pectoralis major
premenstrual syndrome
pain
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
positive
posterior
patient presents
pulses per second
pulse & respiration or progress report
pregnant
patient to return as needed
produced
prognosis
passive range of motion
proximal
pubic symphisis
posterior superior iliac spine
physiological therapeutics
patient
patient to return
every
ABBREVIATIONS
SMT
SOAAP
SOB
SOL
sp
spondy
spr
SSLR
stab
STE
stim
STM
str
sup
sw
SWD
Sx
sym
T
T&T
rule out
radiating
radiations
recommend
refer (-red)
rehabilitation
respiration
rhomboid
right lateral flexion restriction
range of motion
rotation
rotation restriction
right rotation
right rotation restriction
return to work
Russian stimulation
prescription
without (sans)
sharp
sacrum
sternoclavicular joint
sternocleido mastoid
segment
severe
sacroiliac
slight
straight leg raise
spinal manipulative therapy OR sensory motor
training
Sub, Obj, Asses, Action, Plan
shortness of breath
space occupying lesion
spinous process
spondylolisthesis
sprain
sitting straight leg raise
stabilization
self testicular examination
stimulation
soft tissue manipulation
strain
supine
swelling, swollen
short wave diathermy
symptoms
symmetrical
tenderness
taut and tender
Page 4 of 8
Abbreviation
Definition
Abbreviation
Definition
T&A
TENS
TFL
THER EX
TIA
TIA
tid
TOS
TP
TPR
TPT
trap
troch
Tx
Tx or tx
u/c
UE
uln
URI
US or u/s
UTI
UV
tonsils & adenoids (-ectomy)
Vag
val
var
VAS
VBI
vert
w/
w/cm2
w/o
WC, W/C, w/c
wk
WNL
wp
wt
x
y/o
yest
vagina
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
tensor fascia lata
therapeutic exercise
transient ischemic attack
transient ischemic attack
three times a day
thoracic outlet syndrome
transverse process
temperature, pulse, respiration
trigger point therapy
trapezius
trochanter
thoracic
treatment
microcurrent
upper extremity
valgus
varus
visual analog scale
vertebral basalar insufficiency
vertebral
with
watts per centimeter squared
without (sans)
worker's compensation
week
within normal limits
whirlpool
weight
times
year old
yesterday
ulnar
upper respiratory infection
ultrasound
urinary tract infection
ultraviolet light therapy
ORGANIZED BY MEANING
Definition
Abbreviation
Definition
Abbreviation
1 time per week
1x/w
bilaterally
2 times per week for 3 weeks
2xw/3w
blood pressure
bi/bilat
BP or Bp
2-4 times per month
2-4x/m
bowel or bladder
abduction
abd
burning
B/B
¯
B
abnormal
abn
cancer
CA
absent
Θ
cerebrovascular accident
CVA
active assisted range of motion
AAROM
cervical
Cx
active range of motion
AROM
cervical acceleration deceleration
CAD
activities of daily living
ADL
cervical traction
ctx
adduction
add
cervicothoracic
C/T
adjustment
adj
change

afternoon
pm
chief complaint
cc
alternating hot/cold
alt h/c
chiropractic manipulative therapy
CMT
anterior
ant
chromic obstructive pulmonary disease
COPD
anterior superior iliac spine
ASIS
chronic
chr
anterior-posterior
AP
complains of
c/o
approximately
≈
computed tomography
CT
as soon as possible
ASAP
congestive heart failure
CHF
asymmetrical
asym
contract relax
CR
basal metabolic rate
BMR
contract relax antagonist contract
CRAC
before
B4
contrast hot/cold
alt h/c
ABBREVIATIONS
Page 5 of 8
Definition
Abbreviation
Definition
Abbreviation
coronary artery disease
CAD
gluteus medius
gmed
costovertebral joint
CVJ
gluteus minimus
gmin
crepitation(s)
crep
gradually
grad
cross friction massage
CFM
greater than
>
cryotherapy
cryo
gynecological
gyn
date of birth
DOB
hamstring
Ham
date of draw
DOD
headache
HA
date of exam
DOE
herniated nucleus pulposis
HNP
date of injury
DOI
herniation
hern
decreased

hertz
Hz
deep tendon reflexes
DTR
high blood pressure
HTN
deficiency
def
high volt galvanism
HVG
degenerative joint disease
DJD
high volt therapy
HVT
delayed onset muscle soreness
DOMS
history
hx
deltoid
delt
history and physical
H&P
department of transportation
DOT
hold relax
HR
deviation
dev
hot moist pack
HMP
diagnosis
Dx
hot pack
hp
diminished
dim
hour
h
diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus
DPT
hours
‘
double
dbl
human leukocyte antigen A (HLA B-27)
HLA
due to
d/t
hypertension
HTN
dull
D
increased
ear, eyes, nose, and throat
EENT
infrared (lamp)

IR or Infrd
ear, nose and throat
ENT
Insp
electrical
e
electrocardiogram
ECG
electroencephalogram
EEG
inspiration
Instrument assisted soft tissue
manipulation
interferential current
emergency room
ER
intermittent
int
evaluation (-ed)
eval
Intermittent compression
int comp
evening
eve
intermittent ischemic compression
IIC
every
q
International unit
IU
exacerbation (-ed)
exac
intervertebral disc
IVD
extension
Ext
ipsilateral
ipsi
extensor hallicus longus
EHL
joint
jt
external
ext
laboratory
Lab
external auditory meatus
EAM
last menstural period
LMP
family history
FH or FHx
lateral
fifth lumbar
L5
left
Lat
L
first degree
1°
left lateral flexion
LLF
fixation
fix
left rotation
LR, LROT
flexion
flex or Flx
left rotation restriction
LRR
follow-up
FU
less than
<
fracture
Fx or #
licensed massage therapist
LMT
frequency
freq
ligament
Lig
gastrointestinal
GI
loss of consciousness
LOC
genitourinary
GU
low back
LB
glenohumeral joint
GHJ
low back pain
LBP
glucose tolerance test
GTT
low volt galvanic
LVG
gluteus maximus
gmax
lower extremity
LE
ABBREVIATIONS
IASTM
IFC
Page 6 of 8
Definition
Abbreviation
Definition
Abbreviation
lumbar
Lx
oral pain scale
OPS
lumbar traction
lxt or lx tr
osteoarthritis
OA
lumbar traction
lx tr or lxt
over the counter drugs
OTC
lumbosacral
L/S
pain
magnetic resonance imaging
MRI
pain
Pn

manipulate
manip
palpation
Palp
maximum (medical) improvement
MMI
palpatory pain
palp (P)
measles, mumps, rubella
MMR
para
P
mechanical visual analog scale
mVAS
paraffin bath
Pafn
medications
meds
passive
Pass
micro

passive range of motion
PROM
microcurrent
u/c
past history
PHx
microcurrent electrical nerve stimulation
MENS
patient
Pt
milli amp
mA
patient presents
Pp
minimal erythemal dose
MED
patient to return
PTR
minute
min
PRN
minutes
“
patient to return as needed
pectoralis
mobilize
mob
pectoralis major
Pmaj
moderate
mod
pelvic inflammatory disease
PID
month
mo
per day
/d
morning
am
per month
/m
motion palpation
MP
per week
/wk
motor vehicle accident
MVA
percussion
Perc
much decreased

personal injury
PI
much increased

physical examination
PE
muscles
mm or msl
physiological therapeutics
PT
myocardial infarction
MI
piriformis
Piri
myofascial release
MR
positive
Pos
myofascial trigger point(s)
MFTP
post isometric relaxation
PIR
nausea & vomiting
N&V
posterior
Post
negative
Neg or Θ
posterior superior iliac spine
PSIS
new patients
NP
posterior-anterior
PA
no apparent distress
NAD
post-facilitation stretch
Pfs
no apparent residual effects
NARE
pound or fracture
#
no change, non contributory
NC
pregnant
Preg
no charge
N/C
premenstrual syndrome
PMS
no residual effects
NRE
prescription
Rx
non contributory
NC
primary
1°
none
Ø
produced
Prod
normal (temperature) to touch
NTT
prognosis
prog/px
normal
N or Θ
progress report
PR
not applicable
n/a or NA
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation
PNF
not performed
NP
proximal
Prox
note well (nota bene)
NB
pubic symphysis
PS
numbness tingling or weakness
NTW
pulse, respiration or Progress Report
PR
obstetrics
ob
pulses per second
Pps
occasional
occ
PERRLA
occiput
occ
pupils equal round regular react to light
accommodate
office visit
OV
quality assurance
QA
on and off
o/o
radiating
Rad
ABBREVIATIONS
Pec
Page 7 of 8
Definition
Abbreviation
Definition
Abbreviation
radiations
range of motion
recommend
Rads
ROM
Rec
tenderness
T
tensor fascia lata
TFL
tertiary
3°
refer (-red)
Ref
therapeutic exercise
THER EX
rehabilitation
Rehab
third degree
3°
respiration
resp
thoracic
Tx
return to work
RTW
thoracic outlet syndrome
TOS
rhomboid
rhom
three times a day
tid
right
®
times
x
right lateral flexion restriction
RLFR
RROT, RR
right rotation restriction
RRR
rotation
ROT
tonsils & adenoids (-ectomy)
transcutaneous electrical nerve
stimulation
transient ischemic attack
T&A
right rotation
RR
transient ischemic attack
TIA
rule out
r/o
transverse process
TP
Russian stimulation
Russ Stim
trapezius
trap
sacroiliac
SI
treatment
Tx or tx
sacrum
sac
trigger point therapy
TPT
second degree
2°
trochanter
troch
secondary
2°
twice a day
bid
segment
seg
ulnar
uln
self testicular examination
STE
ultrasound
US or u/s
SMT
ultraviolet light therapy
UV
severe
sev
upper extremity
UE
sharp
S
upper respiratory infection
URI
short wave diathermy
SWD
urinary tract infection
UTI
shortness of breath
SOB
vagina
Vag
sine-low frequency alternating curr
LFAC
valgus
val
sitting straight leg raise
SSLR
varus
var
sl
vertebral
vert
soft tissue manipulation
STM
vertebral basilar insufficiency
VBI
space occupying lesion
spinal manipulative therapy OR
sensory motor training
spinous process
SOL
visual analog scale
VAS
watts per centimeter squared
w/cm2
week
wk
sp
weight
wt
spondylolisthesis
spondy
whirlpool
wp
sprain
spr
with
c
stabilization
stab
with
w/
sternoclavicular joint
SCJ
within normal limits
WNL
sternocleido mastoid
SCM
without (sans)
w/o
stimulation
stim
without (sans)
straight leg raise
SLR
strain
str
Sub, Obj, Asses., Action Plan
SOAP
year old
s
WC, W/C,
w/c
y/o
supine
sup
yesterday
yest
swelling, swollen
sw
symmetrical
sym
symptoms
Sx
taut and tender
T&T
temperature, pulse, respiration
TPR
rotation restriction
sensory motor training
slight
ABBREVIATIONS
SMT
worker's compensation
TENS
TIA
Page 8 of 8
Abbreviations
9 of 9
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