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The Basics of Back Pain and Spinal Anatomy

Our spinal structure is one of the most remarkable and strong structures in our body. Consisting of bones, ligaments, muscles, and tendons, the spinal column acts as a hub of our central nervous and musculoskeletal structures.

Often, this giant structure in our body goes ignored and taken for granted until we start experiencing pain. If you’ve been feeling pain and discomfort in your spinal column, this article may be helpful to get you better acquainted with your body, spine, and all the systems it supports.

The spinal column drawn on a sheet of paper.

A Word On The Composition and Function Of The Spine

The spine services various purposes in our bodies. It acts as protection for our spinal cord and nerve roods to ensure that audio and sensory messages are passed easily, accurately, and safely between the brain and the rest of the body.

The spine also plays the role of a shock absorber, protecting our body and muscles from tearing up or experiencing severe effects in cases of accidents, jolts, and other high-stress situations as we move about our day.

The spine also gives our body the necessary flexibility, allowing us to easily bend forward, backwards, and twist to make it easier for us to move about. And finally, the spine provides support and strength to the body by holding the bones, joints, muscles, tissues, and ligaments together and giving our bodies the right alignment.

Lower Back Pain and It’s Causes

Back pain arises when the spine is out of alignment or has gone through some level of physical trauma, repeated misuse, or injury. This could occur because of a range of situations, for example, because of accidents, working for long periods of time in awkward positions, sleeping in an unhealthy position.

More serious causes include bone degeneration, sciatica, or progressive diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, among others. Other bone and spine-related causes could include a lumbar degenerative disc disease, a cervical herniated disc, or cervical osteoarthritis.

What To Do If You Have Back Pain

Even though back pain isn’t usually dangerous, it’s important to be sure you know what you’re dealing with. The best thing to do when you’re experiencing kind of back pain is to consult an expert doctor to rule out any chance of disease that could worsen.

Find a doctor who understands your unique situation and medical history at our spine solutions center in Houston, Galveston, Webster, League City, and Clear Lake.

If you’re on the hunt for the best spine surgeons in Houston, do visit our Spine and Neurosurgery Center. Contact us for more information.