The five vertebrae that make up the lower back region are called the lumbar vertebrae, and they carry the weight of your entire upper body, as well as turn, twist, and bend. Beneath the lumbar vertebrae are nine fused vertebrae that together make up the sacrum (the rear wall of the pelvis) and the end of the spine, or the coccyx. But these vertebra don’t stand up straight all by themselves.
The spine is stabilized primarily by a large muscle group that runs on either side of the spine, known as the erector spinae, and by your abdominals. Because no other muscles in your body are capable of such a wide range of movements while supporting such a large weight, they’re uniquely susceptible to tension and strain. The function of all these structures is to maintain good posture. However, as a result of improper movement, muscular imbalance, poor alignment, and/or injury, over time the structures that help maintain fluid movement in your back, such as the intervertebral discs (the soft cartilage between the vertebrae) can begin to be compromised. Because flexibility training can help keep your muscles well balanced and your skeleton properly aligned, stretching is a crucial component of a lifelong commitment to a pain-free and healthy back.
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