The Back

Warm up activity:

Make up a list of causes of back pain. In which region of the spine does it commonly occur?

Watch the following videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGAz_p7nUbY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VuLBYrgG94
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icY2XwOJ3Po

The back is the posterior part of the trunk, below the neck and above the buttocks. The main
structures in the back are the spine and its associated muscles (erector spinae and
transversospinalis).

The spine (also known as the spinal column, the vertebral column or the backbone)
consists of 33 bones called the vertebrae. Seven vertebrae are in the neck (cervical vertebrae),
twelve in the chest (thoracic vertebrae), five in the lower back (lumbar vertebrae), five are
fused into a single unit the sacrum (sacral vertebrae) and four are fused into another single
unit called the coccyx or tail bone (coccygeal vertebrae). The first cervical vertebra is called
the atlas and the second cervical vertebra is called the axis.
Each vertebra is a ring-like bone enclosing a central canal called the spinal canal as
the spinal cord passes through it. Spinal nerves branching out of the cord pass between the
vertebrae.
Intervertebral discs are pads of fibrous cartilage with a gelatinous (jelly-like) centre. They are
situated between all the vertebrae with the exception of the atlas and axis and the fused
vertebrae in the sacrum and the coceyx. They act as flexible cushions and help absorb shocks.
A herniated disc which protrudes into the intervertebral foramen may compress a nerve root
and cause considerable pain.
Seen from the back, the spine looks straight. Viewed from the side, it curves in the
shape of an S. The main function of the spine is to support the head and torso upright. Yet, it
is a flexible column which can bend forwards and backwards and twist on its axis, Thanks to
the cervical vertebrae the head may move backwards, forwards, sideways and around. The
thoracic vertebrae support the ribs while the ribs stabilize the spine. The lumbar vertebrae are
quite mobile. The yellow turning, twisting and bending. They also bear the weight of the
upper body and are used in all activities of daily living. Pain in this area can limit many
activities and lower the quality of life. The sacrum and the coccyx protect the internal organs
in the lower part of the body.
Directions of movement