The Spinal Cord
& Column
The spinal cord is located in the bony structure called
the spinal column, which is comprised of 24 movable bones
known as vertebra. The vertebrae are designed to allow
our spines flexibility in all directions: bending
forwards, backwards, sideways and rotating to either
side. The spine is not a straight column but has three
curves to carry the body weight of the head, trunk and
extremities. The middle back (thoracic) curve has 12
vertebrae and is the primary curve of the spine,
originating from the fetal position in the womb. The neck
(cervical) curve has 7 vertebrae and develops as we learn
to lift our heads while crawling. Finally, the lower back
(lumbar) curve which has 5 vertebrae develops as we begin
to stand and walk. The spinal curvatures are an
evolutionary response to gravity's forces on the human
body and can be compared to the arches of a bridge.
Neither the bridge nor the spine would be able to support
as much weight if they were straight.
Protected within the spinal column is the
extension of the brain known as the spinal cord. The
spinal cord transmits electrical impulses from the brain
to every cell in the body by way of millions of nerves.
The proper functioning of both the spinal column and the
spinal cord is of paramount importance for good health.
Without adequate spinal flexibilty and normal
neurological transmission it is possible to fall into ill
health and disfunction. Because of the intimate
relationship between the nervous system and vertebra,
there is ample opportunity for a nerve to get pinched or
irritated, creating symptoms and imbalance somewhere in
the body. Back To Top
Function Of The Spine
The spinal cord connects the brain to the
rest of the body via millions of nerves that run through
the vertebral column. It is crucial for each vertebra to
be in it's proper position for normal functioning of the
nervous system. A misalignment of a vertebra anywhere
along the column may interrupt the normal transmission of
nerve impulses to any part of the body. Certain parts of
the body may end up not getting enough blood and nerve
supply affecting the health of vital organs and tissues.
Anatomy and physiology teach us that the normal, healthy
performance of all the body's operations requires
uninterrupted nerve and blood flow from the brain, spinal
cord and organs. Back To
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