Orthotics in Juneau - The spine protects and encloses the spinal cord, the bundle of nerves that sends signals from the brain to the rest of the body.
The spine is also known as the backbone or vertebral column. The spinal structure has a stack of 33 vertebrae, along with the sacrum and the coccyx, and the intervertebral discs dividing the bones. The spine is separated into four regions: the pelvic, the cervical, the thoracic and the lumbar parts. Each of these parts has distinguishing characteristics. A distinguishing feature of every part is the way it curves as the spine changes directions. The cervical spine curves outward before moving inward along the thoracic curve and afterward outward again along the lumbar curve.
The cervical section has seven vertebrae located mostly in the neck. The upper two vertebrae support the head. These two vertebrae are designated as C1 and C2. This first is likewise called the atlas bone in reference to Greek mythology's Atlas, who carried the celestial globe on his shoulders. The lower five vertebrae (C3-C7) are movable. The cervical vertebrae are the smallest separate vertebral bones. The trapezius muscle, that spans the shoulders, back and neck, is attached to this vertebral column, as are some other muscle groups and their ligaments.
The thoracic region, located in the upper back, has 12 vertebrae referred to as T1-T12. The thoracic part is distinguished by the ribcage. On the surfaces on every vertebra are distinguishing features known as costal facets, where the ribs attach. The thoracic vertebrae are slightly larger could support additional weight than the cervical vertebrae. The trapezius, rhomboids and latissimus dorsi all attach here. There are more muscle groups that connect to the thoracic vertebrae as opposed to the cervical vertebrae.
The largest vertebrae are the five located in the lumbar part. This region needs to absorb lots of weight from the torso above. They have no costal facets for the reason that the ribcage ends at the thoracic. The lumbar vertebrae are surrounded by soft tissue, making them susceptible to injury. They are exposed to compression forces along with to forces acting on the body from multiple directions. Individuals who do frequent or heavy lifting need to strengthen their core muscles around the lumbar section to prevent injury.
Characterized by some fused vertebrae, the pelvic area comprises the coccyx and the sacrum. Fused vertebrae mean that these vertebrae lack the intervertebral discs which hold together the other vertebrae while allowing movement between each and every vertebrae. Located just beneath the lumbar region between the hipbones is the sacrum. It is made of five fused vertebrae that are consecutively smaller in shape. The coccyx, or tailbone, has four fused vertebrae, to which several muscles of the pelvic floor are attached. The coccyx makes it possible for us to balance in a sitting position.
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Arctic Chiropractic Juneau
2243 Jordan Ave