Your spine is, in many ways, the center of your universe. Knowing more about it and its function will help you understand why your posture and movement affect the health of your back. If something more serious should be the culprit in your back pain, anatomy basics will help you better understand what’s wrong. They’re your body parts. You own them for life. Why not get better acquainted? Here’s a bit about your bones and in other blogs we’ll explore more.
THEY’RE ALIVE!
Bones are efficient and sophisticated bundles of tissue, minerals and water. Their jobs go well beyond basic skeletal framework. They are protective shells for vital organs such as the heart, the brain, and the spinal cord; they are scaffolding upon which muscles attach; and they are manufacturing centers for blood cells. Talk about multitasking! Linked by ligaments and moved by muscles, bones support a lot of weight without being crushed or broken (at least not until there is trauma or disease.)
SPINE FAST FACTS:
The spine is a stack of cylindrical bones called vertebrae. They form a natural double S-curve from your head to your hips.
The joint formed where the sacrum/tail bone intersect with the hips (SI joint) can be an overlooked source of back pain.
Muscles of the abdominals and back support your spine.
Nerves run through your spinal column and exit out to the rest of the body. Nerves can be compressed due to trauma or diseases leading to pain and lack of organ or limb function.
Vertebral bones are highly intricate bones supported by ligaments and moved by muscles
Intervertebral discs create a cushion between the vertebrae and also absorb the shock of movement.
For more about your spinal anatomy: http://www.spineuniverse.com/anatomy
PILATES – IT’S ABOUT THE SPINE
Bet you thought it was all about the core? Well, yes and no. Your core muscles support your spine, help you stay upright, and help you move in many beautiful directions. A good Pilates session will take you through all the ways your spine moves: forward, back, side to side and twists. For more about Pilates: http://www.pilatesmethodalliance.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3277
Feel Better in Your Body 