Word Power Made Easy
Sessions 7-10: How to Talk About Various Practitioners
Beyond doctors, let's meet other experts who help us.
The 10 Practitioners
In these sessions, we will explore 10 more practitioners and their unique fields, all built from fascinating roots.
- Psychologist
- Psychoanalyst
- Orthodontist
- Optometrist
- Optician
- Osteopath
- Chiropractor
- Podiatrist
- Graphologist
- Gerontologist
Practitioner 1: The Psychologist
(mind, soul, spirit)
(study of)
One who studies the mind.
An expert who studies human behavior and the mind. They explore how we think, feel, and act. (Typically not an M.D.)
The study of the mind and human behavior.
A practitioner (often a psychologist or psychiatrist) trained in the techniques of Sigmund Freud.
They explore the unconscious mind to find the roots of anxieties.
Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist
A reminder from Sessions 4-6:
- A Psychiatrist is a *medical doctor* (M.D.) who can prescribe medicine.
Root: `psyche` (mind) + `iatreia` (medical healing) - A Psychologist is an expert in human behavior, often with a Ph.D., who provides therapy.
Root: `psyche` (mind) + `logos` (study of)
More from PSYCHE: SOMA
(mind)
(body)
When the mind affects the body.
Describing a physical illness of the body (`soma`) caused or aggravated by the mind (`psyche`), like stress.
(mind)
(birth, origin)
Describing an illness that originates in the mind or emotions.
(mind)
(treatment)
The treatment of mental disorders; "talk therapy."
(mind)
(disease)
A person with a "diseased mind," often characterized by anti-social behavior and a lack of empathy.
The 'Tooth' Roots
(Greek: "tooth")
This root forms the names for different dental specialists.
Practitioner 3: The Orthodontist
(straight, correct)
(tooth)
One who straightens teeth.
A dentist who specializes in straightening teeth with braces and other devices.
(child)
(tooth)
A dentist who specializes in the care of children's teeth.
(around)
(tooth)
A dentist who specializes in the gums and structures around the teeth.
(inner, within)
(tooth)
A dentist who specializes in the inner part of the tooth (i.e., root canals).
(out)
(tooth)
A dentist who specializes in taking out teeth (extractions).
Practitioners 4 & 5: The 'Eye' Team
(Greek: "view, vision, sight")
This root gives us our non-medical eye-care specialists.
Practitioner 4: The Optometrist
(sight)
(measure)
One who measures sight.
One who measures vision (`metron`), tests for glaucoma, and prescribes glasses. Not an M.D.
From `optikos`. One who grinds lenses and sells optical goods, following a prescription.
The 'Eye' Team: Review
Remember the three "O's" of eye care:
- Ophthalmologist (M.D.): The eye surgeon. Treats diseases.
- Optometrist (O.D.): Measures vision, prescribes glasses.
- Optician: Fills the prescription, makes the glasses.
Practitioner 6: The Osteopath
(bone)
(disease, suffering)
One who treats "bone disease."
A practitioner (D.O.) who treats diseases by manipulating bones and muscles, based on the theory that internal problems can be caused by displacement of bones.
The practice or philosophy of an osteopath.
A common disease involving inflammation (`-itis`) of the bones (`osteon`) and joints (`arthron`).
Practitioner 7: The Chiropractor
(hand)
(practice)
One who "practices with hands."
A practitioner who treats ailments by using their hands to adjust the articulations of the spinal column.
From `cheir` + `graphein` (to write).
The study of handwriting, especially as a legal document.
From `cheir` + `manteia` (prophecy).
The "art" of palm reading; telling fortunes from the lines on the hand.
Practitioner 8: The Podiatrist
(foot)
(medical healing)
A specialist in the medical healing of the foot.
A practitioner who treats ailments of the foot (corns, bunions, fallen arches, etc.).
From `cheir` (hand) + `podos` (foot).
The older term for a podiatrist, who originally treated ailments of the hands and feet.
A platform to stand on; a place for your feet. (A *lectern* is what you put your notes on).
From `okto` (eight) + `podos` (foot).
A creature with eight "feet" (tentacles).
From `platys` (flat) + `podos` (foot).
An animal with flat, webbed feet.
Practitioner 9: The Graphologist
(to write)
(study of)
One who studies writing.
An expert who analyzes handwriting to determine a person's character or personality traits.
The study of handwriting for personality analysis.
More from GRAPHEIN: KALLOS
(beauty)
(to write)
Beautiful writing.
The art of beautiful handwriting.
From `kallos` (beauty) + `pyge` (buttocks).
Having a beautifully shaped rear end.
More from GRAPHEIN: KAKOS
(bad, harsh)
(to write)
Bad writing.
Bad, harsh, or illegible handwriting. The opposite of calligraphy.
Practitioner 10: The Gerontologist
(old age)
(study of)
One who studies old age.
An expert who studies the non-medical, social, and psychological aspects of old age.
The study of aging.
From `geras` + `iatreia` (medical healing).
The medical specialty dealing with the health and diseases of old age.
The 'Old' Roots: SENEX
(Latin: "old")
This is the Latin root for "old," giving us more common words.
Showing the physical or mental deterioration associated with old age.
The process of growing old; aging.
Latin for "older."
Originally, a council of "older, wiser men."
Sessions 7-10 Review
You've learned 10 practitioners and dozens of related words from these key roots:
- PSYCHE (mind): Psychologist, Psychosomatic
- ODONTOS (tooth): Orthodontist, Periodontist
- OPSIS (sight): Optometrist, Optician
- OSTEON (bone): Osteopath
- CHEIR (hand): Chiropractor, Chiromancy
- PODOS (foot): Podiatrist, Octopus
- GRAPHEIN (write): Graphologist, Calligraphy
- GERAS (old age): Gerontologist, Geriatrics
- SENEX (old): Senile, Senior, Senate
Quiz Time: True or False
Let's test your understanding with questions from the book.
Based on what you've learned, are these statements True or False?
Quiz: True or False (1-10)
1. A 'psychologist' focuses *only* on physical health.
2. An 'optometrist' measures vision, while an 'optician' grinds lenses.
3. 'Gerontology' is the medical specialty for the elderly.
4. A 'psychosomatic' illness originates in the mind but affects the body.
5. An 'orthodontist' specializes in root canals.
6. 'Cacography' is the opposite of 'calligraphy'.
7. A 'chiropodist' is an old term for a bone doctor.
8. 'Senescent' means "growing old."
9. A 'periodontist' is a gum specialist.
10. 'Chiromancy' is the study of handwriting.
Quiz: True or False (11-15)
11. An 'endodontist' works on the inner parts of the tooth (pulp).
12. An 'osteopath' primarily uses their feet to heal.
13. A 'chiropractor' adjusts the spinal column.
14. An 'octopus' gets its name from having "eight hands."
15. 'Geriatrics' is the medical specialty for the elderly.
Quiz: Crossword
Let's test your new practitioner vocabulary with a crossword puzzle.
Fill in the grid based on the clues provided.
Sessions 7-10 Crossword
ACROSS
- 2. Root for "old age" (5)
- 3. Beautiful handwriting (11)
- 4. Study of the mind (10)
- 7. One who measures vision (11)
- 8. Root for "hand" (5)
- 9. Latin root for "old" (5)
- 10. Root for "bone" (6)
DOWN
- 1. Specialist in "mind-healing" (11)
- 3. Study of handwriting (10)
- 4. Root for "foot" (5)
- 5. Root for "disease" (6)
- 6. One who grinds lenses (8)
- 8. Root for "tooth" (7)
- 9. Mind-body illness (12)
- 11. Bone specialist (8)
Congratulations!
You have completed the presentation for Sessions 7-10.
Next Up: Sessions 11-13
How to Talk About Science and Scientists