Your
spinal column is basically a stack of bones - the
vertebrae - separated by intervertebral discs that keep
your spine flexible and cushion the vertebrae as you
move. The discs account for about 25 percent of the
length of the spinal column. Muscles attach to the spine
and nerves run like cables in a structure called the
spinal cord, carrying sensory and motor messages between
your brain and your body.
Back pain is the
third most common reason for patient visits to
physicians' offices and affects up to 80% of us at some
point in our lives. If you’ve had back pain once, you’ll
never want it again. If you’ve never had it, you’d
be crazy to encourage it. Yet most back pain is
avoidable; however, only you can prevent it.
