The busy and stressful life you lead will soon come to an end if your spine collapses or lets you down. This spine is literally a scaffolding for the human frame, keeping it upright for long hours at a stretch. The human spine is made up of 33 bones, called vertebrae. The spine features three natural curves :

The cervical curve, with 7 vertebrae in the neck area which allow you to turn your head freely.

The thoracic curve, with 12 vertebrae in the mid-back, each of them attached to a rib, to provide stability to your stanus .

The lumbar curve, with 5 vertebrae in the lower back, which receives the most stress and strain.

Below the lumbar region are 5 fused vertebrae of the sacrum and 4 fused vertebrae of the coccyx. This completes the complex edifice of your body's frame.

Joining each pair of vertebrae is a facet joint that functions like a hinge. Between each pair of vertebrae lies a flat, circular intervertebral disc. The outer portion of the disc is hard and the centre is soft. This cushions the vertebrae and absorbs shocks to the spine during sudden movements.

The vertebrae surround and protect the spinal cord, which is basically a column of nerves starting from the brain. This means that pain from a back problem, which is mostly caused by the pinching of a nerve, can travel to other parts of the body.

Bone spurs
pressing against nerves

Damaged disk
putting pressure on nerves