Our vertebrae are grouped in 5 sections. Cervical (neck), Thoracic (mid back), Lumbar (lower back), Sacrum (pelvis) and Coccyx (tail bone). There are 33 vertebrae in your spinal column. They are separated by 23 intervertebral discs. There is no disc between your first and second cervical vertebrae, and there is one between your coccyx and sacrum. There is a bit of variation among all the population in number of vertebrae, so this is a general statement.

      We have a C shaped curve when we are born. As we sit and walk, we form the cervical curve (in our neck) and then the lumbar curve (in our waist). This all develops by the first year or so of our lives.

      We all start out with a C shaped curve - the thoracic curve. Trying to get the child to walk or stand too early may really cause the spine to develop unnaturally. For a healthy spine, it is very important to allow it to develop naturally. We should avoid mechanical jumpers and such.

     Our three spinal curves increase resistance to axial compression. The top to bottom squashing of the spine. This allows us to support more weight than a straight spine would. In fact, with a curved spine we can support 10 times more weight than with a straight spine.

      When you are lifting something, if you bend at the waist, you straighten your spine. If you bend at the knees, you keep the curve in your spine. See the difference? It is very important to bend at the knees when you lift objects.

     Your spinal cord is housed in, or protected by, your spinal column. This is the vertebrae, separated by pads (discs), all stacked on top of each other. Nerves come out of the spinal column through small openings between the vertebrae called foramina. From here the nerves connect to every organ, muscle and tissue in your body. These are controlled by nerve impulses starting in your brain, traveling down the spinal column and out to specific organs and muscles, then back to your brain. Any compression or irritation of this nerve impulse system causes disturbance (pain) in normal body function.

    A “slipped disc” really can’t happen. A disc can’t slip out of place. What people mean by a slipped disc is a herniated disc. A disc - intervertebral disc - has a jelly like center that provides some spinal cushioning. It’s called the nucleus pulposus. Around the center core is a tough, fibrous outer casing - the annulus fibrosis. It is made of ligament and helps to join the vertebrae together. If the outer casing, the annulus gets torn, the inner jelly can leak out - herniate. This can put pressure on a nerve or the spinal cord and cause pain in part of the body.

      Here are some ways to protect your back: Never cough while your are bending forward. This position can really hurt your back! When you lift things, bend at the knees - - - Not the waist. Reduce stress on your back! When carrying something, hold it close to you. Do Not extend your arms!

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