The Human Spine

The spinal column – or backbone – is instrumental to the strength, support, flexibility and range of movement our bodies possess. It’s a complicated structure, with many interconnected and interdependent components.  The spine also serves to protect a vital part of our nervous system, the spinal cord and nerves.  

When these interconnected and independent components stop functioning properly or deteriorate the spine will start to lose the strength, support, flexibility and range of motion. This may or may not result in back pain and or neck pain.  This lack of support can also start to affect the way our nervous system functions, resulting in other health problems in other areas of our body. When there is an injury, tiny receptor cells send messages along nerves in your spinal cord to your brain. Whether your pain is intermittent or constant, you just want it to go away.

The most common cause of a patient to seek care for their spine is pain.  Pain can be constant, frustrating, a nuisance, and sometimes even necessary. Pain is your body's way of sending warning signals to your brain that something is not working properly. Pain is classified as Acute or Chronic.  Acute pain usually lasts a short time and is often the result of an injury, surgery, or illness. Chronic pain is a pain that continues well beyond the expected healing time of the original injury or condition.

More Facts About Your Spine:

1. You have twelve vertebrae in your thoracic area – the middle portion of the back.

2. You have five vertebrae in your lumbar spine area – the lower back.

3. And the cervical area, or the neck, is comprised of seven individual vertebrae.

4. Over 120 muscles are contained in the spine.

5. The spinal column includes approximately 220 individual ligaments.

Research Articles and Chiropractic:

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