The curves of the spine

The Curves of the Spine

The four curves of the spinal cord cushion the effects of stress and allow for greater rotation and better flexibility. When you think of your spine, do you envision a straight row of bones extending from the base of your brain to the lower back?

In reality, the spine is made up of four different curves that provide balance and flexibility to your body and help prevent injuries. These curvatures also allow the spine to support 10 times more weight than it could if the curves were absent. These curves are more visible when viewing an example of the spine from a lateral perspective.

These are the four types of spinal curvatures:

• Cervical Lordosis – It is an upside-down “C”, curved in shape, located at the top of the spine. This curve helps protect your head from extreme forward movements. Neck pain is generally the result of having some significant loss in the curve.

• Thoracic Kyphosis – It is a “C” – curved in shape at the upper and middle back, composed of 12 vertebrae. • Lumbar Lordosis – These are the five vertebrae in the lower back that also have the shape of an upside-down “C.” This area of the spine shows a backward curvature when viewed from the side.

• Sacral Kyphosis – The sacrum is a triangular bone at the base of the spine, between the two hip bones. It is also a “C,” shaped like a curve. Just as a newborn baby develops, it only has one type of spinal curve, the lordosis “C” – which is curved in shape.

Development of the Spine

As a child’s motor skills begin to develop, the baby learns to hold its head up, sit, crawl, stand, and walk – all of this causes muscle development and allows for more weight to be distributed to the spine. The development of additional spinal curves also begins.

It is important that the curves help maintain balance in your body and prevent pain and injuries. Proper weight loading requires you to bend at the knees instead of bending at the waist to avoid straightening your spine.

Of course, regular check-ups with a chiropractor and their adjustments will help you maintain your spinal curves correctly. Additionally, there are specific products, such as cervical pillows, that will also help you keep the curves of your spine in place and keep you free from pain. Marc Bony, DC