What is the Spine?

by

The spine is our backbone, which extends from the neck to the tailbone. The spine consists of 33 relatively small bones, called vertebrae. The neck part of the spine, called cervical spine, consists of 7 vertebrae. There are 12 vertebrae in the upper and mid-back (thoracic spine), and 5 in the low back, or lumbar spine. Five bones fuse together in the tailbone region to form the sacrum, and below that is the coccyx, formed by 4 bones.
The spine is an integral part of the body. Without it, people would not be able to stand upright. The spine houses and protects the spinal cord, absorbing shock and allowing us to bend and twist. Hundreds of mus- cles, ligaments and tendons are attached to the spine, as well.

How To Avoid “Texting” Neck

by
  • Sit up straight with your chest out and your shoulders back.
  • Bring your arms up in front of your eyes so that you don’t need to look down to see the screen.
  • Tuck your chin into your chest to look down rather than dropping your head forward.
  • If you must use your mobile device for lengthy typing, invest in an external keyboard.
  • Rest your forearms on a pillow while typing to help minimize neck tension.
  • Avoid using mobile devices while in bright sunlight. Straining to see the screen leads to jutting the chin forward, shifting work from the spine to the muscles that hold up the head.

What Causes Back Pain?

by

The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest of movements—for example, picking up a pencil from the floor— can have painful results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Make sure to see your chiropractor to get adjusted and to get to the source of your pain.