Breaking Down the Spine: What Should You Know?
From a very young age, we gain an appreciation for the amazing things our bodies can do. We’re able to run, jump, climb, swim, throw, and achieve countless other feats with just a little bit of practice.
For all of these activities, there are countless systems involved:
- We need our muscles and bones to be strong,
- We need our eyes (and other sensory systems) to take in information about our surroundings.
- We need our central nervous system (our brains and spinal cords) to process all of the incoming information and allow us to respond.
As far as this list is concerned, number 3 above is the one that connects sensory input, to motor (action) output. Our spine is an integral part of this process.
In this article, we will outline the most important facts about the spine to demonstrate how this wondrous structure allows us to move and function throughout our lives.
The Spine is Strong and Flexible
When trained appropriately, the spine can support an incredible amount of weight. In fact, just a few years ago, in 2019, the world record for the barbell squat was broken by Ray Williams who squatted an incredible 1,080 pounds.
That’s over 1,000 pounds plus Ray’s bodyweight all compressing his spine.
Of course, most of us wouldn’t ever attempt such a feat, nor should we! But it just goes to show how incredibly strong the spine really is.
But strength isn’t the spine’s only impressive feature, it’s also very flexible.
Normal thoracic spine (mid-back) motion falls between 20 and 45 degrees of flexion (bending forward). The amount of motion varies from person to person and between the different parts of the spine. However, some people have much more motion in their spines, such as contortionists and gymnasts.
While some gymnasts will experience back pain (and pain elsewhere) later in life, many of them are able to withstand the extreme motion their sport demands and go on to lead relatively pain-free lives after they finish competing.
Each Section of the Spine is Unique
Perhaps you’ve heard of the different sections of the spine: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal portions. But did you know that each section has unique properties in both structure and function?
The lower portions of the spine tend to be more robust and their associated nerves control our leg and abdominal muscles as well as those of the pelvis. As a result of their larger shape, they tend to have less motion than the higher sections of the spine.
Moving up the spine, the vertebrae tend to become smaller but more mobile. These higher portions of the spine have nerves that control the arms as well as many of the important visceral organs keeping us alive.
Keeping all sections of the spine healthy and strong enables you to live an active, pain-free life for many years to come.
Chiropractors Can Help Keep Your Spine in Good Shape
By regularly seeing a chiropractor, you can have peace of mind that you are keeping your spine in excellent shape. Chiropractic care is focused on overall health, but chiropractors are often sought out for their knowledge of the spine.
Through the use of manipulation, specific exercises, and other treatments, chiropractors will ensure that your spine is the healthiest it can possibly be.
At Anchor Health Chiropractic, we are committed to helping our patients navigate this unforgiving world. We want all of our patients to be able to move, run, and generally do whatever they want without pain for the rest of their lives.
If you’re looking for a Noblesville chiropractor, look no further than Anchor Health Chiropractic. We will help guide you toward making a full recovery, allowing you to get back to your regular activities. Book your appointment today.
