The Back – A System of Protection

The Back - A System of Protection

Backs are fascinating things, when they are working properly. The spine is actually a perfectly stacked system of bones, called vertebrae, which are separated by spongy cushions called discs. The discs and vertebrae form a hollow column which protects the spinal cord. This spinal cord runs the length of the back, from the base of the skull to the pelvis, and is the center of the body’s nervous system.

The vertebrae comprise a system of bony, protective rings around the comparatively delicate spinal cord. The discs protect the bones from grinding on each other and act as shock absorbers for both the vertebrae and the spinal cord inside. The discs also allow the back to flex and twist without anything breaking.Wrapped around and connected to the spine is a collection of back muscles and tendons which further protect the spine and therefore the spinal cord. The different components of the back are engineered to be a system of protection for each other and ultimately for a person’s central nervous system.As a consequence, a person should use proper posture and regular exercise to maintain their back. A person should also seek help whenever they experience intense or ongoing back pain.

A Body's Support System

The back, which is comprised of the spine and its surrounding muscles, tendons and ligaments form a well-designed system that is incredibly flexible and supportive. The back supports the head and shoulders, and also the rib cage which protects our heart, lungs, and parts of our digestive system.The lower part of the back, called the lumbar region, supports most of the body’s weight. For that reason, most of the back pain we experience is the lumbar region.

The back is not naturally a straight, but is shaped slightly like an “s”. The curves in the back help to support the body and its systems better, and also act as shock absorbers. To help maintain the back and spine, proper conditioning is needed - including strengthening, flexibility and aerobic conditioning. While there are some exceptions to the rule (such as an unstable spinal fracture), the back can only benefit from a systematic regimen of exercise and stretching. The back is the body’s first and most natural support system, and as such it should be properly cared for.

Your Back and Your Nervous System

One of the benefits of taking care of your back is that you are also taking care of your nervous system.While your back is busy separating your brain and your butt, and supporting all the bits in between, your nervous system is busier keeping both your brain and your butt out of trouble. Your spine, a column of bone and spongy discs down the center of your back, surrounds and protects your spinal cord, which is the information highway for your nervous system. Nerves leave the spinal column through separations between the discs and the vertebrae. From there your nerves proceed on to fingertips or kneecaps or wherever they are needed.

Your nerves feel pain or pleasure and report that feeling back to the brain. Your nervous system will then send a message back down your spine to the fingertip, for instance, and tell it to back off of that pot or don’t attempt to reach through that brick. If your spine is doing its job and the nervous system can communicate well, you can have a good day. If, however, your back is twisted or seriously injured then your nervous system is compromised as well. Not only could your pain sensors be overwhelmed – back pain is not easy to ignore – but messages may get scrambled if they have to proceed through a kinked-up message center.Taking care of your back is incredibly important, you see. If your back is injured or in pain, it can affect your nervous system and consequently your entire body.