Our Amazing Spine - Body

The Spine 33 bones known as vertebrae stacked one on top of the other. 
the spinal column provides the main support for your body.
It allows us to stand upright, twist  and bend while protecting the spinal cord from injury.

Strong muscles and bones, flexible tendons and ligaments and sensitive nerves contribute to a healthy spine.
Yet if any of these structures are affected by strain, injury or disease they can cause pain.




When viewed from the side an adult spine has three curves, these curves work like a coiled spring to absorb shock, maintain balance and allow range of motion through the spinal column.

The abdominal and back muscles maintain the spines natural curves, good posture involves training the body to stand, sit and lie so that the least amount of strain is placed on the spine during movement or weight bearing actives.  Excess weight, weak muscles and other forces can pull at the spines alignment.

Inter-vertebral discs separate the vertebrae  they are like radial car tires with an outer of criss-crossing fibres and gel filled centre. They act like mini shock-absorbers. With age these discs can become brittle and flatter this why we become shorter with age. Injury and or strain can cause the discs to bulge or herniate compressing on to the nerve roots causing pain.

Anyone who has had even the mildest back pain knows how debilitating this can be. 

Spine health is important.  It is important to move the spine through all of its plains of motion Flexion- extension- lateral flexion and rotation to create mobility and to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles to create stability. 

Yoga and Pilates offer mindful movement where time is taken to consider the spine and how it moves and how it feels when it moves. 

A great go to exercise for the spine is bridge - 
Lying supine (face up) on the floor 
Feet flat on the floor, knees bent (the closer the feet are to the bottom the easier the move) 
As you breathe out gently allow the belly to get heavy and press the lower back into the floor ,
Press into the heels and slowly peel the spine away from the floor one vertebrae at a time as far as you can comfortably go (breath freely as you move)
Then return to the floor one vertebrae at a time.
This can be repeated as many time as you are comfortable with.  

You tube video on yoga movement studio channel Moves for spine health. 
Link: https://youtu.be/zrA5boHaYjE  Love your spine Yoga movement studio You Tube channel.