When we sit, stand, walk, bend, lift a weight... there is someone who helps us with all these things. That is our spine, or the spinal column. This is like a pillar in our body. In fact, many parts of the skeletal system and muscular system in our body are connected together by the spine. So, today we will talk in a little more detail about this spine, which is so important for our body.
What is the spine? What does it do?
Simply put, the spine is a bony structure that provides support to our body. Like the pillars on the roof of a house, it has several benefits for our body.
- Gives shape to the body: Our body gets a specific shape and structure because of the spine.
- Supports the body: When we stand upright, the spine helps maintain our posture.
- Protects the Spinal Cord: The spinal cord, the main nerve cable from the brain, runs through the spinal cord. It's like a little wire wrapped in a protective tube. The spinal cord protects these valuable nerves.
- Helps with movement and flexibility: The flexibility of the spine helps us perform movements like bending forward, backward, and turning from side to side.
Where is the spine located? How does it look?
The spine runs from our neck down to the lowest part of our spine. To be precise, it starts at the base of our skull and extends all the way to the pelvis, the bone between our hip bones.
If you look at a healthy spine from the side, it's not completely straight. It has three natural curves. It's like the shape of the letter 'S'. These curves act like shock absorbers in a car. That is, they absorb the shocks that hit the spine when we run, jump, and walk, preventing damage to the spine.
What are the main parts of the spine?
The spine is not just one long bone. It is a complex structure made up of many different parts. It's like a wall made up of bricks stacked one on top of the other. Let's take a look at what these parts are.
| Part | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Vertebrae | These are the tiny bones that make up the spine. The spine is made up of 33 bones like these, one on top of the other. The spinal cord runs through the tube that these bones form. |
| Facet Joints | These are the joints where the vertebrae connect to each other. These joints are what allow us to bend and twist our spine from side to side. Like the hinges on a door. |
| Intervertebral Disks | These are cushion-like structures between two vertebrae. They absorb shock. This disc has a jelly-like center (nucleus pulposus) and a tough ring (annulus fibrosus) around it. Sometimes this disc can become compressed and the jelly in the middle can leak out, causing pressure on the nerve. We call this a 'herniated disc'. This is one of the causes of pain such as sciatica . |
| Spinal Cord and Nerves | The main nerve cord that comes from the brain is the spinal cord. Small nerves that come out of this, through the vertebrae, go to the arms, legs, and other parts of the body. These nerves carry messages from the brain to the body, and carry information from the body to the brain. |
| Soft Tissues | This includes the ligaments that hold the vertebrae together, the muscles that support the spine, and the tendons that connect the muscles to the bones. |
The 5 main regions of the spine
As we mentioned earlier, although there are 33 vertebrae, these are divided into 5 main regions. Let's learn about that too.
| Segment | Important Points |
|---|---|
| Cervical Spine - Neck | This is the top part of the spine. There are 7 vertebrae (C1-C7). This is the part where we can turn our heads, up and down. It has a lordotic curve. |
| Thoracic Spine - Mid back | There are 12 vertebrae (T1-T12) in this part. Our ribs are connected to these vertebrae. This part is slightly bent backwards (kyphotic curve). |
| Lumbar Spine - Lower Back | This is the lower back. There are 5 vertebrae (L1-L5). This part of our body bears the most weight. It also receives the most pressure when lifting weights. It also has a lordotic curve. |
| Sacrum | This triangular-shaped bone connects to our hip bones. It is formed by fused 5 vertebrae (S1-S5). Therefore, this part does not move. |
| Coccyx - tailbone | This is the smallest bone at the bottom of the spine. It is made up of 4 vertebrae fused together. |
Common diseases that can occur in the spine
The spine is a heavily used and weight-bearing organ in our daily lives. As a result, it is more susceptible to damage and injury.
- Arthritis and related diseases, for example (Ankylosing Spondylitis) .
- Back strains and sprains.
- Congenital disorders, for example (Spina Bifida) .
- Bone spurs.
- Scoliosis, which means curvature of the spine (Scoliosis and Kyphosis) .
- Herniated Disc .
- Neuromuscular diseases .
- Nerve damage, for example , spinal stenosis , sciatica, and pinched nerves.
- Osteoporosis .
- Spinal cord injuries, fractures, and paralysis .
- Spinal tumors and cancers.
- Spinal infections, for example , meningitis and osteomyelitis .
What are the symptoms that can identify a back problem?
The most common symptom of spinal disorders is back pain or neck pain. It is difficult to find a person who has not experienced back pain at some point in their life.
Not all back pain is serious, but there are some symptoms that we should be concerned about.
These are some other symptoms like that:
- Muscle spasms.
- Inability to control bowel and bladder control.
- Weakness or numbness in the arms and legs.
- Paralysis.
Tests and treatments
If you have a back problem, your doctor may prescribe various tests and treatments to find the cause.
How to check your back health?
- Imaging tests: These include scans like (X-ray) , (CT scan) , and (MRI) .
- Blood tests .
- Electromyography (EMG) test that measures nerve activity.
- Bone density measurement (DEXA bone density test) .
- Spinal Tap / Lumbar Puncture .
What are you doing as treatment?
Treatment methods vary depending on the condition.
- Physical therapy , massage, acupuncture.
- Medications such as painkillers and muscle relaxants.
- Injections into the spine, for example (Epidural Steroid Injections) .
- Spine surgery , for example, discectomy and fusion .
If you have these symptoms, see a doctor immediately!
A normal backache should subside in two to three days. However, if you have any of the symptoms below, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible without ignoring it.
| Warning signs to look out for | |
|---|---|
| - If you have a fever with back pain. | |
| - If you have an inability to control your bowels or urine . | |
| - If you feel pain radiating from your back down your legs or weakness in your legs . | |
| - If you have numbness in your hands or feet . | |
| - If the pain is increasing day by day, if you are nauseous, if you cannot sleep properly, or if the pain is affecting you to the point where you cannot perform daily activities. | |
How do we keep our backs healthy?
There are many simple things we can do to protect our backs and prevent back pain. Having strong back muscles provides good protection for the back.
- Exercise: Do back-strengthening and stretching exercises at least two days a week. Exercises like planks, in particular, will strengthen your core muscles, which will provide good support for your back.
- Be careful when lifting: When lifting heavy objects from the floor, bend your knees and lift them without bending your back . Keep your back straight.
- Maintain a healthy weight: As body weight increases, the pressure on the spine also increases. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight is very important.
- Maintain good posture: Sit and stand straight . Don't slouch.
If you want to know more about this, talk to your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Your spine is the main support pillar of your body. It helps you stand, walk, and move.
- It is made up of many parts, such as vertebrae, discs, nerves, and joints.
- Back pain is very common, but it's not always a good idea to ignore it.
- If you have symptoms such as fever, loss of bowel/urinary control, or pain along your legs, seek medical advice immediately.
- With proper exercise, good posture, and a healthy lifestyle, you can keep your back healthy throughout your life.
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