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Spine AnatomyThe spine is also called the vertebral column. The spine is a bony column extending from the skull to the pelvis. It is made up of 33 individual bones in most people. The spine is designed to bear the weight of the body as well as provide protection for the spinal cord, spinal nerves and internal organs.
Spine FunctionThe spine also is a central attachment point for many other structures in the body. Ligaments, tendons and muscles all attach to the spine. The ribs also attach to the spine in the thoracic region. The bones in the spine are living tissue and help to produce red blood cells as well as store important minerals needed by the body.The normal spine is curved in the shape of the letter “S”. The "S" curve helps a healthy spine act as a shock absorber and distribute stress evenly. The cervical spine curves slightly inward, the thoracic curves outward, and the lumbar curves inward. It is common for a spinal problem to cause a change in this natural shape and possibly cause pain. Human Spine AnatomyThe human spinal column is a miracle of design and functionality. It is one of the primary contributors to the success of our species. The spine is a rugged and durable anatomical structure which is designed to withstand all the demands placed upon it by normal life. The spine has a bad reputation for a being a major source of chronic pain and problems, but this reputation is largely undeserved. Most long term pain syndromes are a direct result of a psychosomatic process rather than spinal malfunction.
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