Understanding Your Spine
The spine is one of the most wondrous and fascinating constructs in all of nature.
Without it, we would not be able to walk, stand up straight or even hold up our heads.
It can also be quite confusing when problems begin, and pain can often begin without warning.
To keep it all in perspective, we will help you understand what makes it up, how it works and how or why pain can occur.
The Map of the Spine It all starts with the spinal cord, a network of nerves and ganglia that is connected to our brain and carries the messages the brain sends out to all parts of our body.
Everything we do, through movement and action every day, starts in the brain and is transmitted to whatever part we need to move courtesy of the spinal cord.
To protect it from damage, there is a resilient frame of bones and cartilage that surrounds it and cushions it from shock as we go about our days.
The name for the entire framework is the spine, and is made up of nerves, vertebrae and gelatinous discs.
In turn, it is divided for reference medically into three sections.
The first, the cervical, begins at the base of the neck, and continues through the first seven vertebrae.
The next section, called the thoracic, covers the middle of the back, including the next 12 vertebrae.
The last section, called the lumbar, covers your lower back and contains the last five vertebrae, leading into the hip area.
In total, there are 24 vertebrae bones, each one separated by a cushioning disc, which will cushion and protect the bones from shocks as we move about, and from external damage.
Flexible, yet Strong From the time we are born, our spinal column begins very weak, without much tension to it.
That is why babies' heads must be supported for the first few months.
As we age, and grow, it grows stronger and more flexible, allowing our bodies to turn and twist as needed, all the while supporting the weight of the body as a whole.
For something so small, it is incredibly strong and durable.
Around the time we hit our late twenties and mid thirties, its flexibility and durability begins to slow and parts of it will eventually begin to degrade with age.
Our hectic lives help to hasten the aging, especially if we are physically active at work or play and the cushioning discs will begin to lose their strength.
This is when most back injuries may occur, or we will develop chronic pain.
Nothing lasts forever and when we age, every joint will show signs of aging, starting with the bone joints in the spine.
Without it, we would not be able to walk, stand up straight or even hold up our heads.
It can also be quite confusing when problems begin, and pain can often begin without warning.
To keep it all in perspective, we will help you understand what makes it up, how it works and how or why pain can occur.
The Map of the Spine It all starts with the spinal cord, a network of nerves and ganglia that is connected to our brain and carries the messages the brain sends out to all parts of our body.
Everything we do, through movement and action every day, starts in the brain and is transmitted to whatever part we need to move courtesy of the spinal cord.
To protect it from damage, there is a resilient frame of bones and cartilage that surrounds it and cushions it from shock as we go about our days.
The name for the entire framework is the spine, and is made up of nerves, vertebrae and gelatinous discs.
In turn, it is divided for reference medically into three sections.
The first, the cervical, begins at the base of the neck, and continues through the first seven vertebrae.
The next section, called the thoracic, covers the middle of the back, including the next 12 vertebrae.
The last section, called the lumbar, covers your lower back and contains the last five vertebrae, leading into the hip area.
In total, there are 24 vertebrae bones, each one separated by a cushioning disc, which will cushion and protect the bones from shocks as we move about, and from external damage.
Flexible, yet Strong From the time we are born, our spinal column begins very weak, without much tension to it.
That is why babies' heads must be supported for the first few months.
As we age, and grow, it grows stronger and more flexible, allowing our bodies to turn and twist as needed, all the while supporting the weight of the body as a whole.
For something so small, it is incredibly strong and durable.
Around the time we hit our late twenties and mid thirties, its flexibility and durability begins to slow and parts of it will eventually begin to degrade with age.
Our hectic lives help to hasten the aging, especially if we are physically active at work or play and the cushioning discs will begin to lose their strength.
This is when most back injuries may occur, or we will develop chronic pain.
Nothing lasts forever and when we age, every joint will show signs of aging, starting with the bone joints in the spine.
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