We are born with 33 bones in our neck! We ultimately end with 24 in our neck as some bones grow together as we age. There are also two additional bones that make up the spine called the sacrum and the coccyx which put the total number at 26! These 26 bones can be the either your best friend or your worst nightmare. Your spines profile view is shaped as an S, as seen here:
Back problems can come from small everyday habits that you wouldn’t suspect. For women, wearing a heavy purse or carrying a heavy bag on your arm can have a negative effect on your body. (Read more about the Handbag syndrome here!!) For men, something as simple as having a heavy wallet in the same pocket every day causes damage. Especially if you are sitting on the wallet in your back pocket, this can shift the weight to this side of your back because of the difference in elevation.
Back pain isn’t just for adults, children can have back problems as well as affect their life later on. It is important to make sure that your children aren’t carrying around backpacks that way over 10 pounds on a daily basis. Make sure your kids know to put school books in their lockers or leave unneeded supplies at home.
Fun Facts:
- Humans and giraffes both have seven vertebrae in their necks.
- Over 120 muscles are contained in the spine.
- The most common cause of back pain and spinal cord trauma in America is car accidents.
- The spine is flexible enough to bend as far as two thirds of a circle.
- The spine and the brain combined make up the central nervous system.
As a Kailua chiropractic care provider, spine health is very important for our patients. If you’re having back pain, OSR can help you figure out the source of the pain as well as create a program to stop the pain. Treat your spine well, come visit Oahu Spine and Rehab!
