You probably know that your spine is a very important structure in your body. But what does it actually do? Well, it actually has three very important roles.
A little background on the spine
The spine consists of 24 separate vertebrae which are split into three different sections.
The first are the cervical vertebrae. This makes up the neck and there are seven bones in this region.
Next are the thoracic vertebrae which make up your midback. Here you have 12 individual bones.
Lastly, you have your lumbar vertebrae which are in your lower back. There are five lumbar bones.
Below your lumbar spine, you have your sacrum which is the bone you sit on. The sacrum is made up of individual bones that were fused together in the womb.
Attached to your sacrum is your tailbone also known the coccyx.
Roles of the spine
1. Protect your spinal cord and surrounding structures
This is probably the most important the spinal vertebrae play in the body. They act as armor to protect the structure of the body which controls everything that we do.
The spinal cord relays the messages from the brain to the body and then back to the brain allowing us to do well…everything!
When these vertebrae get out of alignment they can put pressure on the spinal nerves as well. This may cause dysfunction and lead to pain as well as a host of other symptoms.
It is important to keep the spine in proper alignment. That is the main job of a chiropractor!
2. Provide the foundation for your posture
Without your spinal bones, you would not be able to stand upright. The vertebrae allow your body to be in balance and maintain an upright posture.
3. Enable you to move and bend
The spine allows you to bend, twist, turn and do all the motions that our amazing body is capable of. Without it, we would be stiff as a board (even though you may probably feel like that anyway.
Your spine is an amazing structure that is so important to your health. It is important to get your spinal column regularly checked by a chiropractor. If you are looking for a chiropractor in the Frisco, Plano, Prosper, McKinney, The Colony, or other local areas then give us a try at Express Chiropractic of Frisco!
For more information on the spine check out this link.