Everyone considers the human spine to be the basis of the musculoskeletal system. It is this that ensures a person’s straight gait. But this is not its only function. The spine has a protective function; it is responsible for the safety of the spinal cord and affects the functioning of almost every organ. Therefore, it is not surprising that Hippocrates argued that all diseases come from the back. The spine includes 32-34 vertebrae. They are connected by discs and other ligamentous elements. All vertebrae are divided into 5 sections. The main parts of the spine are as follows:
- cervical region, consists of 7 elements;
- thoracic region, consisting of 12 vertebrae;
- lumbar region, which includes 5 vertebrae.
Additional parts of the spine are:
- sacral region;
- the coccygeal region, which is almost rudimentary.
Providing the spine with protection of the spinal cord
Another role of the spine in the human body is to protect the spinal cord. Without the integrity of this component of the body, the work of neither the skeletal system, nor the muscles, nor any human organ is possible. The spinal cord belongs to the central nervous system. It is formed from nerve cells and fibers. The spinal cord originates at the base of the brain and ends in the sacral region.
Each section of the spinal cord is responsible for the functioning of certain parts of the body.
The spinal cord is protected by the spine
Due to the fact that nerve fiber branches extend from the spinal cord to each organ, electrical impulses travel throughout the body from the spinal cord to the organs and make them work. This connection also has the opposite direction, because Information goes from the organs to the nervous system.
The spine, in turn, must protect the spinal cord from any mechanical damage, shock, or environmental influences. This is possible thanks to a triple protection system: hard, soft and arachnoid shells. All vertebrae, connecting, form a cavity where the nerve fibers are located.
If at least one vertebra is damaged, then in this place there will be a disruption in the functioning of the spinal cord, and a certain organ in the body will begin to ache and fail. Protecting the spinal cord is the primary function of the spine.
Respiratory system
Poor posture can interfere with the ability of the lungs to expand during inspiration, which means that the body risks not receiving the required amount of oxygen and will constantly be in conditions of artificial hypoxia, which will primarily affect the supply of oxygen to the brain.
This is a common situation when a person has increased thoracic kyphosis, especially pronounced in a sitting position. According to a study published in the journal "Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation" in 2006 on the effects of sitting on lung capacity and lumbar lordosis, it has been proven that certain body positions and lung function have a clear relationship .
Studies conducted on able-bodied people in standing and sitting positions support the hypothesis that the lungs function most optimally when a person is standing. But even while sitting, subject to certain rules, you can achieve normal pulmonary ventilation.
| Increased stimulation of the respiratory muscles of the chest and diaphragm occurs most clearly when the back is straight, and least pronounced when sitting with a bent back (this position compresses the organs and restricts the movement of the diaphragm). |
When a person stands, activated muscles promote more efficient movement of the chest and provide better stretching.
| Bottom line: Adjusting your back position may change the volume of air entering the lungs and/or influence the force of contraction of the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles. |
Protective role of the cervical spine
The cervical region of the spine is located at the very top of the column and includes the seven upper vertebrae. They have processes with openings containing blood vessels that supply the brain with blood and, accordingly, oxygen and useful elements. If the cervical vertebrae are damaged, brain diseases may occur due to insufficient blood supply. You may experience headaches, dizziness, speech impairment, and spots before your eyes. This disease is called vertebrobasilar insufficiency.
The cervical region protects cerebral circulation and is responsible for the functioning of the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, vocal cords, thyroid gland, shoulders and arms. If there is a violation of the first vertebra of this department, then headaches may occur (and this can develop into a migraine), problems with sleep, and increased blood pressure.
Problems with the second vertebra can cause frequent fainting, problems with hearing and vision, and even allergic reactions that did not exist before may appear. The third vertebra is responsible for the skin of the face, so its displacement can affect the appearance of rashes and acne. Neuritis and neuralgia may occur.
Changes in the fourth cervical vertebra can cause hearing impairment (even loss) or enlarged adenoids. Curvature of the fifth vertebra leads to sore throat, laryngitis and tonsillitis. Pain in the neck, shoulders, and occipital lobe of the brain can occur due to problems with the sixth cervical vertebra.
Mobility of the shoulders and arms (up to the elbows) may be limited due to loss of functionality of the seventh vertebra.
Increasing curves
Most often, the curves increase, hypertrophy, and then hyperlordosis or hyperkyphosis occurs in one or another department, which disrupts the muscle balance in the body. Some muscles become stronger, and the muscles on the opposite side (antagonists) relax.
This is clearly seen in people who are stooped: they have a sunken chest, shortened pectoral muscles and a round back - increased thoracic kyphosis - stretched muscles of the upper back. It is difficult for such people to keep their back straight and it is almost impossible to bring their shoulder blades together.
Hyperlordosis of the lumbar region can often be observed in girls who engage in dancing or rhythmic gymnastics. During training, they are constantly forced to arch their backs, pushing their buttocks back. Visually, a beautiful image of a flexible girl is created, but in reality there is a chronic compression of the back muscles surrounding the lumbar region, and the abdominal muscles on the opposite side are stretched.
Also, tight lower back muscles can force the pelvis to be in a forward tilt position, which in turn will lead to muscle imbalance in the lower extremities, namely, shortening and hypertonicity of the muscles of the anterior surface of the thigh, lengthening and weakening of the hip extensors. Often in such a situation, the gluteal muscles may be well expressed, but in fact they are not included in the work from a biomechanical point of view and do not perform their function.
Protective function of the thoracic region
The next 12 vertebrae form a rigid and fixed frame that protects the internal organs. The ribs are attached to the vertebrae and their processes. The vertebrae are the back part of the protective shield. Such a strong frame protects the lungs and heart from mechanical damage. But the openings in the vertebrae are very narrow, so they can wear out, leading to hernias and other back diseases that can directly affect the health of the internal organs located inside the chest frame.
If the first vertebra of the thoracic region is disturbed, then cough, asthma, and pain in the arms (especially in the palms) may occur. Cardiac ischemia and arrhythmia develop due to displacement of the second thoracic vertebra. Pain in the sternum may also appear. Poor functionality of the third vertebra affects the manifestation of pneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy and asthma. Metabolic disorders may appear due to problems with the fourth vertebra. And this is not the only problem. Gallstones may form in the gallbladder or jaundice may appear suddenly. Poor blood clotting may occur due to disorders in the fifth vertebra. The liver can also malfunction due to the erasure of the fifth vertebra. Stomach diseases (ulcers, gastritis, poor digestion of food) can occur due to problems with the sixth vertebra.
Diabetes can be caused by a problem with the seventh vertebra. Surprisingly, this department affects the functioning of hearing and the appearance of gastrointestinal disorders. The eighth vertebra is responsible for hiccups and disorders in the respiratory system. The ninth is the immune system and the possibility of new allergic symptoms. Frequent and unreasonable weakness, lethargy and fatigue may be due to displacement of the tenth vertebra. Together with the next, eleventh vertebra, it is responsible for the functioning of the kidneys.
Problems with urination may be due to wear of the eleventh vertebra. The last vertebra of the thoracic region can provoke disorders in the genital organs (including infertility).
Sleeping mattress
When sleeping, it is very important that your mattress is moderately firm and supports your spine well. The pillow should also support the optimal position of the neck and head, maintaining a natural curve.
The sleeping position should be comfortable for you, on the one hand, and preserve the natural curves of the spine, on the other. You may need to place a pillow between your knees if you sleep on your side, or a small cushion under your lower back if you sleep on your back. Lying on your stomach is not recommended, since in this position the neck and lower back are greatly overstrained and take an unnatural position.
To easily and safely get out of bed after a period of sleep, first bend your knees and bring your feet to the floor, sitting on the edge of the bed in one fluid motion, then use your arms to push yourself up to a standing position. Do not lean your body forward when getting out of bed.
Protective function of the lumbar region
The largest 5 vertebrae belong to the lumbar region. This section is the connecting link between the fixed thoracic and fixed sacral sections. But, despite their size, due to the fact that the lumbar region has to support the weight of the entire body, the intervertebral discs quickly wear out, which leads to the formation of a hernia and pinched nerves. If you carry heavy objects, then all the heaviness also transfers to this part of the spine. Pain and neurological disorders may occur. The lumbar region is responsible for the legs and pelvic organs.
Any disturbances of the first lumbar vertebra can cause diarrhea, constipation, colitis and hernia. The next vertebra is responsible for appendicitis. Pain in the hips and groin, as well as intestinal colic, can be caused precisely because of the displacement of this part of the vertebra. The third vertebra is responsible for the bladder and knee joints. Impotence can unexpectedly occur due to the wear of the third vertebra.
Pain in the legs and feet may be due to the incorrect location of the fourth vertebra. And the fifth vertebra can cause flat feet and ankle pain.
Sacrum and coccyx: their function in the body
The structure of the human sacrum and coccyx
The sacrum and coccyx do not perform special protective or motor functions, however, their violation can lead to problems of the pelvic organs, the appearance of hemorrhoids, fecal incontinence and pain during prolonged sitting.
How is the numbering done?
The numbering of the vertebrae of the ridge is always carried out from top to bottom, increasing in number. For convenience, each department is designated by a Latin letter, based on its Latin name:
- cervical (cervical) − C1-C7, the occipital part of the skull is conventionally considered the zero vertebra, which means C0;
- the thoracic (thoracic) region can be designated in three ways, namely Th1-Th12, or T1-T12, or D1-D12;
- lumbar (lumbar) – L1-L5;
- sacral (sacral) – S1-S5;
- coccygeal – Co1-Co5.
Relationship between the spine and organs
The musculoskeletal system is an important and independent apparatus in the human body. The normal functioning of the spine and internal organs is completely interconnected.
All internal organs, which are located in the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space, receive electrical impulses that force the body to constantly work. These nerve endings intertwine every organ. They begin at the spinal cord, which is hidden in the spinal column. Very often, intervertebral discs pinch a nerve, so at any moment a seemingly healthy organ can fail.
This is why some relatively healthy people may suddenly begin to complain of kidney, heart or any other organ disease. Sometimes their heart may hurt after carrying particularly heavy objects. A previously healthy organ begins to play pranks. Conventional painkillers can relieve discomfort for a while, but another time the disease will remind itself again. And here you need to pay attention not only to the work of the organ itself, but also to check your back.
When malfunctions and disorders occur in the functioning of the spine and internal organs, a deterioration in the well-being of the body as a whole is immediately felt.
Flattening curves
The opposite situation can also happen - flattening of physiological curves , which also negatively affects the condition of the spine, it becomes straighter and loses its spring shock-absorbing abilities, pressure on the intervertebral discs (cartilaginous layers between the vertebrae) increases, which means the risk of osteochondrosis and protrusions increases and hernias.
| Any muscle imbalance and subsequent changes in the skeletal structure can sooner or later cause degenerative changes in the spine and, as a result, pain in the back and other related areas of the body. |
The whole body is a single organism in which an imbalance in one place will necessarily entail changes in another.
Another thing is that the human body is so cleverly designed and its compensatory mechanisms are so great that the problem may not reveal itself for many years, while the brain simply adapted to incorrect movement patterns, remembered them and passed them off as normal until the body could tolerate it without pain and strain.
Connections between the spinal column and the heart
Very often, pain in the heart occurs as a concomitant with osteochondrosis, which is not surprising, because This disease affects the spine and adjacent areas in the body, which can affect the development of asthma and heart problems.
Osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine and heart disease may be interrelated. Very often, in the case of such a disease of the spine, painful sensations in the heart area may occur. During the period of exacerbation of osteochondrosis, there may be disruptions in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. This dependence is especially felt during the period of manifestation of neuralgia. Heart pain can occur if you move heavy objects.
Patients often go to the hospital complaining of shortness of breath, where they are referred to a cardiologist for evaluation. A heart examination may not show any abnormalities. In this case, you need to distinguish between pain in the heart.
With osteochondrosis, heart pain continues for a long period (several months), and it can intensify and decrease again. Unlike heart diseases, heart pain with osteochondrosis will not lead to death. Painkillers cannot relieve discomfort. With heavy loads on the spine, the pain may intensify.
The reason for this discomfort is that pain impulses travel from the spinal cord in the thoracic spine to the heart along nerve fibers. As a result of this, the heart also experiences pain. This can be called a reflex mechanism.
Emotional background
Posture also affects mood and, conversely, mood can affect posture.
Please note - when you feel good, you feel happy, when you are overwhelmed with joyful emotions, your back is usually straightened, your posture is open, you want to breathe with your chest fully open, you feel on the rise.
In contrast, people who are depressed and experience chronic pain often sit hunched or stand slouched. Their very posture and the whole body speaks about what is happening inside a person at the level of emotions or physical sensations.
| You can try experimenting with these sensations. The next time you feel depressed or anxious about something, try changing your posture, standing up straight and breathing deeply. |
This really helps you relax, concentrate, and you will really notice how you feel better. Many eastern practices, such as yoga, tai chi, qigong and others, pay special attention to working on posture and breathing.
Views of Eastern and Western medicine on the role of the spine
If we turn to Eastern traditions in medicine, the entire body can be considered as a family - the spine and internal organs. The spine is then called the husband, because. This is the main musculoskeletal core, which in addition also provides protection for the body. And the internal organs are called the wife, because... they provide the body with oxygen and nutrients.
Eastern doctors believe that it is in the spine that the keys to all human diseases lie, so first of all it is necessary to treat the spine, and then secondary diseases will go away.
Of course, in modern Western traditional medicine, they first pay attention to diseases of the organs and do not always look at problems of the spine. Not every disease will be 100% related to the spine, but it is still better to monitor its health, and to do this, perform simple exercises to prevent spinal diseases. This way you can protect yourself from many unpleasant diseases.
Using gadgets
When you type messages on the small screen of your smartphone or PDA while standing or sitting, maintain the correct position of your back, without arching or excessive deflection . Keep your head above your shoulders, with only your eyes looking down. You can also reduce the load by placing a small pillow under your forearms, rather than holding them up.
When you look at your computer monitor, it should be at a comfortable distance from your eyes, and its top should be just below your eye level. If you feel yourself straining while looking at a screen, you may need to change the font size on your computer or have your eyes checked by a professional.
When using the mouse, keep your wrist in a neutral position, and your entire arm should move with the movement of the mouse . The touch of the fingers is light, without tension.
When you type on the keyboard, make sure that it is at a comfortable distance from you, and that your elbows are supported, the angle at the elbow joint is 90° or slightly more. Hands should move freely. Type with your fingers bent freely, you should not reach your fingers towards the keyboard, straightening them.