The anatomy of the spinal column is extremely well designed to serve many functions. All of the elements of the spinal column and vertebrae serve the purpose of protecting the spinal cord, which provides communication to the brain, mobility and sensation in the body through the complex interaction of bones, ligaments and muscle structures of the back and the nerves that surround it. The back is also the powerhouse for the entire body, supporting and allowing the movements of our head, arms, and legs possible.

The adult spine consists of 24 vertebrae. There are 7 cervical (neck), 12 thoracic (chest region), and 5 lumbar (lower back) vertebrae. The sacrum and coccyx (tailbone) begin as separate bones that fuse by adulthood. The vertebrae are held in place by muscles and strong connective tissue called ligaments. Most vertebrae have fibrous intervertebral discs between them to absorb shock, provide nutrition to the vertebrae, and enable the spine to bend.

The spine normally has a slight curve from the side view. Abnormal curvatures may be present at birth. They may also result from disease, poor posture, accidents, or a strain on the muscles attached to the spine. Kyphosis, or hunchback, is a forward bending of the thoracic vertebrae that often affects elderly people. Lordosis, or swayback, is an exaggerated curvature of the lumbar vertebrae. It usually affects overweight people and pregnant women. Scoliosis occurs when the spine curves sideways, when viewed from the back.

Damage to the spine often occurs in the cervical and lumbar regions. Whiplash is an injury to the muscles and ligaments attached to cervical vertebrae. It occurs when a sudden force—such as a rear-end car accident—throws the head backward. As people age, the inner part of an intervertebral disc is likely to stick out through the outer part. This is often called a “slipped” or “bulging” disc.

Proper spinal alignment is essential for healthy and pain-free living. When a vertebral subluxation occurs, it can result in nerve interference in some portion of the body affected by those nerves. In the simplest of terms, a subluxation is when one or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) move out of position and/or lose normal motion and create interferences in the communication between the brain and the body.

Good health depends, in part, on the normal alignment of the spine, and any this subluxation or misalignment can be a factor in illness. Proper alignment of the spine is critically important because of its role in the function of the central nervous system. Your central nervous system controls and coordinates the function of everything in the body.

We like to summarize the relationship between the nervous system and Chiropractic in this way:

1. The human body is self-healing and self-regulating.
2. The central nervous system controls all of the healing and regulating in the body.
3. Any interference in the nervous system results in a body that is not healing and regulating as well as it should be. Chiropractors focus on correcting that interference.