Spinal degeneration can lead to pain in the back or neck, so get it properly diagnosed and managed to avoid unnecessary complications.
Out of the 206 bones in the body, 33 are found in the spine, and it stretches all the way from the skull down to the pelvis.
These bones are known as vertebrae, and together they form the spine or backbone. The spine does not only give your body the form, strength, support and flexibility it requires, it also houses and protects the very significant spinal cord.
The spinal cord can be considered the super highway that connects all the nerves in your body to your brain. In essence, it serves as the primary communication conduit by which all important chemical messages travel uninterrupted from your brain to your body and vice versa.
The vertebrae of the spine are stacked one on top of the other like a chain of concrete hollow blocks. There are two types of vertebrae: the articulating and the fused vertebrae. They include:
– 24 articulating vertebrae in the cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back) and lumbar (lower back) regions.
– 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum (pelvis) and the coccyx (tailbone).
The articulating vertebrae are connected at the spongy intervertebral discs (in front) and at the bony facet joints (at the back). The intervertebral discs are soft, flat cushion paddings in between the vertebrae that act as shock absorbers.
The facet joints are specialised joints that give the vertebrae the flexibility to help your body perform movements like twisting, bending, stretching, rolling, arching, etc.
There is a large opening in the middle of the vertebrae known as the spinal canal, where the spinal cord resides. As with all other bones in the body, your spine is held together by soft tissues (tendons link your muscles to bones; ligaments link bones together).
Like your eyesight and hearing, the ageing of your spine is more noticeable. Most people enter their golden years without much physical discomfort, but some may experience painful symptoms related to the ageing spine.
Here are some of the common symptoms:
* Neck pain
* Lower back pain
* Shoulder stiffness
* Pain in the buttocks (sometimes)
When the condition becomes serious, nerves may get pinched, and this will result in pain radiating down the hands or legs. Sometimes, you may experience numbness or even weakness in these extremities.
Learn how to slow down spinal degeneration
Learn how to slow down spinal degeneration
Osteoporosis also comes with ageing as the bones start to lose their density and become more porous. The elderly with osteoporosis may gradually stoop ,with the head and shoulders bending forward. As years pass, he/she may develop a “hunchback”. Some may simply complain that they have become shorter.
When osteoporosis sets in, you are at a higher risk of spinal fracture.
Spinal degeneration comes as part of the ageing process but the rate and degree of deterioration vary according to individuals. This condition is greatly influenced by lifestyle choices.
You can slow down spinal degeneration by observing the following activities:
* Maintain an ideal weight.
* Avoid neck and back injury
* Observe proper ergonomics and postures
* Eat healthily
* Exercise regularly
* Refrain from strenuous sports
* Stop smoking
* Go for annual health screening.
Source: www.asiaone.com/health/how-take-care-your-ageing-spine