The spine is the source of all diseases
We often hear about “cervical spondylosis,” “frozen shoulder,” “lumbar disc herniation,” “sciatica,” and so on. “scoliosis” “ankylosing spondylitis” and so on are called a class of diseases of the spine, and these and “spinal improper” what is the relationship?
The vast majority of people will think that the spine is not a problem is “neck pain” “shoulder pain” “arm numbness pain” “back pain leg numbness “Why would you say that “the spine is the source of all diseases”?
In fact, the vast majority of people do not understand our body in a very important system – the spine! Just think of diseases like “cervical spondylosis” and “lumbar disc herniation” as problems with the spine, but do not know how important the spine is to the overall system of the human body.
The spine is the central axis of the body, the nerve conduction hub, the pillar of life!
To understand why “the spine is not the source of all diseases” we need to get to know our spine.
The first section of the spine morphological and structural characteristics and functional role
1, the location of the spine
The spine is located in the center of the back of the body, the spine plays a top-down role, it is both a supporter of the head, but also the central axis of the human trunk, supporting the weight, and participate in the composition of the thoracic, abdominal and pelvic cavities, to protect the internal organs of the body cavity, especially the spinal cord.
2, the morphological structure of the spine
The adult spine is composed of 24 independent vertebrae, a sacrum and a coccyx. According to the different parts of the 24 independent vertebrae, there are 7 cervical vertebrae, 12 thoracic vertebrae, and 5 lumbar vertebrae. The sacrum consists of 5 sacral vertebrae fused to each other and the coccyx consists of 3-5 caudal vertebrae.
Each vertebra can be divided into a vertebral body located in the front and a vertebral arch located in the back. The adjacent vertebrae are connected to each other by the intervertebral discs, which are gradually thickened from top to bottom and act as elastic cushions. Along the entire spine, there are two strong top-down longitudinal ligaments, the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, as well as other ligaments of varying lengths and large and small muscles.
The spine is composed of independent vertebrae, plus ligaments, muscles, intervertebral discs will be connected to each vertebrae, becoming a whole, just like the chain of a bicycle, loop, which ensures the flexibility of human neck, chest, waist activities, people can freely according to different needs face forward and backward, left and right bending, called at ease, as you wish.
The human spine is not like a pole – like a straight one, but according to the special situation of the human body, there are four bends, from the side looks S-shaped, two of the primary posterior convexity, two secondary forward convexity. The posterior convexity of the thoracic spine is the result of the narrow front and wide back of the thoracic vertebrae, while the secondary anterior convexity of the neck is mainly composed of the wide front and narrow back of the intervertebral discs, with the vertebrae being equal in height or slightly shorter in front. In the case of lumbar lordosis, in addition to the anterior height of the intervertebral disc and posterior shortening, the lumbar 4 and lumbar 5 vertebrae also become anteriorly high and posteriorly short, the lumbar 3 vertebrae are variable and still mostly square, while the lumbar 1 and 2 vertebrae still adapt to the posterior convexity of the thoracolumbar segment and are posteriorly high and anteriorly short. There are some differences in the curvature of the lumbar vertebrae in terms of gender, and the female ones are generally larger than the male ones. The presence of normal physiological curvature is a sign of the stability and balance of the spine itself.
3.The functional role of the spine
Understanding the unique structural features of the spine we can see that the structure of the spine is so complex and so unique precisely to ensure that the spine can perform its important physiological functions: support, protection, movement, and conduction!
First, the role of the skeleton support. The spine is the pillar of the human trunk, which is located in the back of the neck, trunk and pelvis right in the middle, playing a role in supporting the head and composition, supporting the thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, pelvic organs, as well as the upper and lower limbs supporters.
Second, the role of safety and protection. The spine has 4 physiological curvatures (cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral curvatures), making the spine like a large spring, increasing the ability to cushion shock and strengthening stability. During jumps or strenuous movements, the discs absorb shock and prevent damage to the skull and brain. It also plays a protective role for the spinal cord, central nervous system and internal organs.
Third, the role of motor balance. The upper end of the spine supports the head by the occipital bone and forms a thoracic outline with the rib cage in the chest. The upper limbs are connected to the spine by the ribs, clavicle and sternum and muscles; the lower limbs are connected to the spine by the pelvis. The human body trunk forward flexion, backward extension, lateral flexion, rotation and other movements, as well as a variety of activities of the upper and lower extremities, are regulated through the spine to maintain balance.
Fourth, the role of the nerve conduction center. The body’s peripheral nervous system is composed of autonomic, sensory and motor nerves, which are distributed throughout the body through 31 pairs of nerve roots in the spine.
The second section of the spine and the close relationship between the spinal column and the neurovascular around the spine
1. The relationship between the spine and the spinal nervous system
Between the arch of each vertebra and the vertebral body a structure is formed called the conus; all the conus together constitute an open bony passage – the spinal canal! Inside the spinal canal is the body’s important central nervous system, the spinal nervous system, which includes the spinal cord and the nerve roots of the 31 pairs of spinal nerves that emanate from the spinal cord. These 31 pairs of spinal nerves directly innervate the skin sensations and skeletal muscle movements of the trunk in addition to the head.
2.The relationship between the spinal column and the sympathetic nervous system
In addition to the spinal nervous system, the lower center of sympathetic nerves is located in the gray matter lateral horn of the thoracic segment of the spinal cord and the lumbar medulla in segments 1 to 3. Pairs of sympathetic nerves are located on both sides of the spinal column in a chain, connected by sympathetic trunk ganglia and interganglionic branches. When the sympathetic nerve is excited, the blood vessels in the abdominal cavity and skin endings contract, the heartbeat strengthens and accelerates, the metabolism becomes hyperactive, the pupils dilate, and the working capacity of tired muscles increases. Sympathetic nerve activity mainly ensures the physiological needs of the body during stressful conditions. If the sympathetic nerves are inhibited, the pupils narrow, the heartbeat slows, the skin and internal organs become vasodilated, the small bronchi contract, the gastrointestinal peristalsis is strengthened, the sphincter relaxes, and saliva secretion increases.
From the above, it can be seen that the spine is not only a motor support system composed of bones, it also directly affects the management of the body’s nervous system.
3, the relationship between the spine and the surrounding major blood vessels
The spine is located in the center of the back and runs through the entire trunk. In addition to the close connection with the spinal nerves and sympathetic nerves, it also has a close relationship with some important blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The spine is a scaffold for the up and down circulation of blood vessels, lymph and other body fluids. The effect of changes in the neutrality and height of the spine on the longitudinal distribution of blood vessels in the body, especially those immediately behind the thoracic and abdominal cavities, is certain.
The most important vessel most closely related to the spine is the vertebral artery. The vertebral artery emanates from the subclavian artery, one on each side, and passes through five transverse foramina on both sides of the cervical spine. After ascending through the foramen magnum to the skull, the two vertebral arteries converge at the lower edge of the cerebral bridge to form a thick basilar artery, which is commonly referred to as the vertebrobasilar system. The basilar artery to the midbrain divides into two posterior cerebral arteries, which supply blood to the posterior 2/5 of the brain, including the occipital lobe, the basal surface of the temporal lobe, and the thalamus.
The relationship between the vertebral artery and the cervical vertebrae is very close, and the cervical vertebrae provide excellent protection for the vertebral artery from external stimuli, thus protecting the blood supply to the brain as much as possible. However, the health of the cervical vertebrae also directly affects the morphology and structure of the vertebral artery and the passage of blood through it.
In addition to the vertebral artery, there are many other vessels affected by the spine, such as the abdominal aorta and the iliac artery. Dissection of the specimen revealed that if the height and neutrality of the spine is altered, the abdominal aorta, which should be vertically descending, will be distorted to varying degrees. Such a change in the aortic vessels will have an altered effect on the blood flow rate and the tension of the vessel walls, and it is conceivable what effect this will have on human health.
Section 3: Balance and Stability of the Spine
Stability is also known as “balance” for the spine, and any balance is relative and conditional. Stability of the spine is also a relative stability, a prerequisite and basic condition for proper spinal function. The stability of the spine depends on both internal and external aspects. Internally, it is mainly the curvature and neutralization of the spine, vertebrae, intervertebral discs, small joints, and paravertebral ligaments; externally, it is mainly the muscles and fascia.
1, the internal balance of the spine structure
(1) curvature and neutrality of the spine: the basic physiological function of the spine determines that the spine needs to grow into a neutrality with S-shaped physiological curvature, perpendicular to the center of gravity, in accordance with DNA information, so as to ensure that the spine is in a stable state in both static and dynamic conditions.
(2) vertebrae: the basic units that make up the spine, each vertebrae must grow in accordance with DNA information about its form, structure and position, just like each brick that makes up the Great Wall, which, once altered, will lead to spinal malformation.
(3) intervertebral discs: the vertebrae of the vertebrae and the vertebrae of the vertebrae are held tightly together by the intervertebral discs, which can also effectively absorb shock, and the role played by the intervertebral discs in stabilizing the spine is very large.
(4) small joints: also known as synovial joints, is an important weight-bearing and supporting structure at the back of the spine, as well as regulating and controlling the function of spinal motion, once the loss of small joint function will seriously affect the stability of the spine.
(5) paravertebral ligaments: ligaments mostly start and end at the adjacent vertebrae related structures, which have an important role in spinal motion and stability, and ligaments are very obvious for limiting the excessive displacement between vertebrae.
2, the external balance structure of the spine
Muscles and fascia around the spine: muscles and fascia are closely linked and are the only external factors related to spinal stability. Changes in the stability of the spine are very closely related to the muscles around the spine, and any changes in the strength of the muscles associated with spinal movement and when the movement is dysfunctional will lead to changes in spinal stability.
3, the importance of the balance of the spine to stabilize the structure
Spinal balance is an important condition for maintaining human health. The spine is located in the middle of the body, supporting the head, sitting on the pelvis, outreach limbs, spinal nerves through which. In front of the spine there are three chambers of the body: the heart and lungs are on top, the liver, gallbladder and spleen on both sides, the stomach, small intestine, pancreas and kidneys on the back, and the bladder and uterus on the bottom, each in its own place. The spine has nerve connections with various organs, is connected by blood vessels, and is supported by muscles and ligaments. When the spine is affected by degeneration, injury, exertion, inflammation, tumors, and poor movement, it inevitably becomes twisted and deformed. When the spine is out of balance, the spinal ligaments and visceral ligaments twist, blood flow in the blood vessels is obstructed, nerves are stimulated or compressed, and this series of changes will inevitably cause abnormal function of the visceral organs and, in the long run, cause organic lesions of the organs. Theoretically, the spine is balanced, the internal organs are healthy, the body is naturally elegant and proportionate, the gait is naturally light and steady.
Section IV affects the spinal balance and stability of the main causes of spinal malformation
1, the physiological structure of the human spine characteristics
2, their own aging degeneration
3, poor posture and chronic strain injury
4, violence injury
Section V. Spine is not the source of all diseases
1, the main manifestations of spinal malformation
Spinal instability caused by spinal column instability, the spine appears scoliosis, slippage or lordosis, can make the spine around or around the pelvis muscles, blood vessels, nerves are strained, squeezed. The muscle is pulled and squeezed, can cause local muscle swelling, pain; blood vessels are pulled and squeezed, can cause circulation disorders, appearing soreness, pain, cold limbs, cold, local swelling and other symptoms; nerves are pulled and squeezed, there will be sensory and motor disorders, such as numbness, muscle weakness, muscle atrophy symptoms.
2, spinal malformation leads to spinal diseases
Spinal disorders are functional lesions arising from the incompatibility between the structure and function of the spine. Such as cervical spondylosis, cervical small joint disorder, slant neck (non-congenital), fallen pillow, frozen shoulder; thoracic small joint disorder, thoracic spinal stenosis; lumbar disc herniation, lumbar small joint disorder, lumbar spinal stenosis, acute lumbar sprain, lumbar spondylolisthesis; sacroiliac joint syndrome, sciatica; scoliosis, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.
3.Spinal malformation leads to spinal origin diseases
Spine-related diseases are lesions caused by poor central nerve conduction, obstruction of blood circulation in the innervated regions or organs due to the inability of the spinal structure and function to adapt. For example, cervical-type coronary heart disease, functional dyspepsia, heart rate disorders, tinnitus, deafness, chest pain and tightness, insomnia, and hyperhidrosis. According to medical statistics, there are nearly 100 spine-related diseases.
Section 6: The main symptoms caused by each segment of spinal malformation
1, the head and neck discomfort symptoms and the relationship between the upper segment of the cervical spine malalignment
2.The relationship between heart and blood pressure abnormalities and the middle segment of the cervical spine malalignment.
3, the relationship between the symptoms of the shoulder and arm and the lower cervical spine malalignment.
4. the relationship between cardiac, pulmonary and scapular discomfort and malalignment of the T1/2/3 segments
5. hepatobiliary abnormalities may be related to malalignment of T4/5 segments
6. abnormalities of stomach, spleen and pancreas function are closely related to malformations of T6/7/8 segments
7. abnormalities of kidney and adrenal function in relation to malformation of T9/10/11 nodes
8, abnormalities of large and small intestine function in relation to T12 and L1/2 nodes
9, the relationship between abnormal function of organs in the pelvis and malformation of L3/4 nodes
10. the close relationship between motor sensory disorders of the lower extremities and malalignment of L3/4/5 and S1 nodes.
Section 7 The more common methods for treating spinal disorders
1.Traction therapy
2.Small needle surgery
3.Closure therapy
4.Surgical treatment
5.Drugs
6.Other therapies