7 Facts You Might Not Know About Your Spine

By Alexis Mills

The spine is a complex part of our body that supports our health and daily life in more ways than we can imagine. It's too bad that most people don't give it the care that it really needs. Since the spine is so intricate, to get the best spinal health you should definitely consult a spine professional -- a chiropractor. At The Joint Chiropractic you can get consulted on any questions you might have, get the spinal care you need, and learn how to better take care of your body and spine. Now, let's look at some things you didn't know about your spine from fun facts to surprising spinal health facts.

• Your spine is in constant communication with your brain - When this connection is lost through an injury, you can start to lose sensation and ability of movement.
• A lot can go wrong with your spine - Among the highest claims for workers disability is a spine-related injury. The spine is complex and can be injured by bending or forcing it the wrong way, or naturally bend the wrong way with scoliosis, or the nerves can lose their coverings.
• As we age, the space between our spinal discs get smaller - This is why some people get shorter as they age.
• We also lose vertebrae as we age - We are born with 33 vertebrae and end up with about 24 by adulthood because, as we grow, some of the vertebrae fuse together.
• One of the spine's most important jobs is protecting the nervous system - While also delivering the nerve message between your body and brain, the spine is constantly coordinating all of your actions. Your spine is like the electrical system for the body.
• Gravity affects height - Since the spine is made of 25 percent cartilage, it has the ability to change our height with gravity. You are at your tallest in the mornings -- then gravity shrinks you throughout the day. Even more interesting, astronauts have noted growing up to 2 inches because of their cartilage discs expanding in microgravity in space. Pretty crazy!
• Your spinal cord has exceptional memory - This is why taking care of your spine at a young age is so important, because this can shape how efficiently your body will function as you get older. Taking care of your spine at a young age also can prevent conditions and reduce the amount of general medical care -- as well as chiropractic care -- you will need later in life.

Without question, the spine is an amazing piece of architecture, and we should do everything we can to protect it and ensure its optimal health because it has a direct impact on our optimal health.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.