Spine

Parts of the spine

The spine extends from the base of the skull to the pelvis and is made up of 33 individual bones called vertebrae. Vertebrae are grouped into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and coccyx. They range in size with the smallest in the cervical spine, and the largest in the lumbar spine. Vertebrae serve as the weight-bearing structures of the spinal column. The natural curves in the spine provide resistance and elasticity in distributing body weight during movement. The cervical spine has the most movement and allows you to turn your head in many directions. The thoracic spine, anchored by the ribs, has less movement. The lumbar spine has large muscle groups attached and allows for more forward-and-backward motion than side-to-side motion. The spine is composed of many elements that are critical to its overall function, and includes the intervertebral discs, the facet joints, the sacroiliac joints and the bones themselves.

Back pain

Unfortunately, 90 percent of people will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is typically caused by ligament or muscle strain, and usually resolves by itself within a few weeks or months. When back pain does not improve with physical therapy and lasts more then a few months, it may indicate a disorder of the spine itself and require more aggressive measures to treat.

To learn more about some of the common conditions and treatments related to the spine, click on the links to the left.