What happens when you have back pain? For sure your mobility gets restricted and your day to day activities are affected negatively. The spinal cord begins from the base of your brain and extends down to your lower back. It is responsible for transmitting signals between your brain and the rest of your body. When these signals are disrupted, it can cause pain, numbness, or weakness in any part of your body.
In this blog post, we will discuss the different functions of the spinal cord and how they control movement. We will also explore some common injuries and disorders that can affect body movement.
You probably already know what the spinal cord is and where it is located. But in order to provide you with a better understanding of how it works, let’s first take a closer look at its location and how it connects with the rest of the central nervous system.
The spinal cord is a long, thin bundle of nerves that extends from the brain down to the lower back. It is about 18 inches long in adults and is surrounded by the vertebral column or spine. The spinal cord consists of 31 pairs of nerves that branch off into different parts of the body. These nerves are responsible for carrying messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
The spinal cord is divided into four different regions: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. Each region controls different functions in the body. For example, the cervical region is responsible for controlling movement in the arms and hands, while the thoracic region controls movement in the trunk and legs. The lumbar controls movement in the lower back and pelvic region, and the sacral controls bowel and bladder function.
Now that we’ve reviewed the basics of the spinal cord, let’s take a closer look at how it controls movement. The spinal cord is responsible for coordinating all movement in the body. It does this by sending messages between the brain and the muscles. When we want to move a certain part of our body, the brain sends a signal down the spinal cord to the muscles. The muscles then contract and we are able to move.
There are two main types of movement: voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary movements are those that we control, such as walking or picking up a pencil. Involuntary movements are those that we do not control, such as blinking or breathing. Other involuntary movements include the reflex, which is an automatic response to a stimulus, such as touching a hot stove. Or when you are about to cross the street and a car suddenly honks, your body automatically jumps back.
Basically, involuntary movements are the ones keeping us alive because it helps our body to react quickly to changes in its environment.
How does the nerves, brain and spinal cord work together?
The human nervous system is an intricate and fascinating network of nerves and cells that communicates information throughout the body. This information needs a highway so that it can travel from the brain to the rest of the body and back again. This highway is the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system. The spinal cord is composed of gray matter and white matter from which nerve roots extend and turn into spinal nerves.
The spinal nerves then extend to different areas of the body to innervate or provide sensation to the skin and muscles. They also carry information from the receptors located throughout the body back to the spinal cord and up to the brain. This is how we are able to feel things like hot, cold, pain, etc.
Together, they ensure our body is able to react and respond to the various stimuli in our environment with the least amount of delay.
What is an example of a spinal nerve?
The spinal nerves are a system of 31 pairs of nerves that emerge from the spinal cord and control the movement and sensation of the body. These nerves are divided into three main categories: sensory neurons, motor neurons, and autonomic neurons. Sensory neurons carry information from the body to the brain, such as touch, temperature, and pain. Motor neurons carry signals from the brain to the muscles, telling them to contract or relax. Autonomic neurons control automatic processes in the body, such as heart rate and blood pressure. Each pair of spinal nerves is numbered according to their position on the spinal cord. For example, the first pair of spinal nerves (C1-C2) is located at the top of the spine, while the last pair of spinal nerves (S4-S5) is located at the bottom.
The most commonly injured cervical spinal nerves are C6 and C7. The cervical spinal nerve 6 controls the muscles that extend the wrist, fingers, and biceps. It also provides sensation to the skin of the shoulder, arm, and hand. The cervical spinal nerve 7 controls the muscles that extend the elbow and triceps. It also provides sensation to the skin of the forearm and hand. When these two nerves get irritated or compressed, it can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the arm and hand.
Now that we’ve reviewed some basic anatomy, let’s take a look at some common injuries and disorders that can affect the spinal cord and its function.
What are the most common spinal cord injuries?
While there is a wide range of injuries, the most common injury is a contusion, which is a bruise on the spinal cord. This can happen when the spine is hit with great force, such as in a car accident. A contusion can cause swelling and bleeding within the spinal cord, which can lead to paralysis or other serious problems.
However, a spinal cord injury can simply happen by falling on your buttocks. This is because the spinal cord does not have much padding and is very fragile. When you fall, your weight can compress the spinal cord and cause it to bruise. This type of spinal cord injury is called a compression injury.
This is because the spinal cord is a very delicate structure and even a small amount of force can cause it to become compressed. However, if the injury is not properly attended to and kept in check, it could become the source of bigger issues in the future. This is what happened to me and I share my story below.
I was never affected by back pain or movement restrictions until my late twenties. However, around my early thirties, I was skimboarding in Montauk, NY for fun when suddenly the board slipped under my feet. I was going fast, my body flew up in the air, and I landed on my butt. Right away, I knew something was wrong because I felt a sharp pain in my lower back. Although I was able to drive back and show up to work on Monday, the pain got stronger and I could barely move. I ended up taking that week off and going to see a doctor and a physical therapist. The visits to the physical therapist lasted about one month which is around the time when the pain was completely gone.
After that, I didn't feel any pain and regain my mobility. But, after a few years, I started to have about three incidents of back pain and movement constraints every year. They would come suddenly and last longer and longer each time. Each time I would try to control the pain with muscle creams, heat patches, lower back massages, and rest. I was able to recover quickly when the incidents started. But as time passed by, it would take me longer and longer to feel better.
The pain got worse over time and eventually led to sciatica on my left leg. The pain would start in my lower back and extend below my knees. It was so sharp that it cut my mobility by half and the pain started to negatively affect my sleep. This was the straw that broke the camel's back and mine for sure.
This was a wake-up call, as a father of three young and energetic children, and a human potential and brain health coach, I realized that I needed to do something about it and fix it permanently. However, western medicine is focused on alleviating symptoms and not fixing the issue.
This led me to find answers and the best chiropractor I could find. Then, I had to make a decision and stay committed to fixing this issue. After visiting the chiropractor for 8 months, I can say the back pain is gone and I have regained most of my mobility.
If I knew what I know now, I would have handled the spinal cord injury differently. Possibly continued to receive more chiropractic adjustments, stretch more often, do yoga to strengthen my spinal column, be more conscious about my posture, sleep on my back, and take better care of my spinal cord.
But overall, I am happy with the results, it was a life-changing experience that made me realize how important our spinal cord is and how much we take it for granted. However, the biggest lesson I learned is that our mindset gets very affected when we are distracted by pain, especially back pain. When we don't feel well, everything in our lives gets harder and we tend to give up more easily. That's right if you have tried many times to achieve a big goal but you haven't been able to do it, it might be time to ask yourself if your brain or body is pushing you forward or dragging you back.
Simply put, when sensory neurons, motor neurons and nerve roots get pinched, you won't be at your best and you would have to do something about it, whether that means going to the chiropractor, stretching more often, or whatever else you need to do to get your spinal cord healthy again.
I hope my story inspires you to be more proactive about your spinal cord health if you are dealing with back issues.
However, I’m sharing my story with you so that you can learn from my mistakes and take better care of your spinal cord if you ever experience a contusion or compression injury.
If you want to learn more about how I was able to fix my back issue you can check out this blog post.
What are the most common disorders that can affect the spinal cord?
Spinal cord disorders are conditions that can cause multiple symptoms such as; back pain, weakness, numbness, loss of sensation or urinary control, and changes in reflexes. Some common disorders include:
- Spinal stenosis: a narrowing of the spinal canal. This can cause pain, weakness, and numbness in the extremities.
- Herniated disc: also known as a slipped disc, is a medical condition in which a disc in the spine ruptures or breaks open. This can cause the gel-like center of the disc to come out and irritate or compress nearby nerve roots. This can lead to pain, weakness, numbness, and changes in reflexes.
- Tumors: are fairly rare, but when they do occur, they can be very serious. The spinal cord is a vital part of the nervous system, and any damage to it can cause a wide range of problems. Tumors can compress the spinal cord, causing pain, muscle weakness, and even paralysis. In some cases, the tumor may be cancerous and spread to other parts of the body. Treatment for spinal cord tumors often involves surgery to remove the tumor. In some cases, radiation or chemotherapy may also be used. With treatment, many people with spinal cord tumors are able to regain some or all of their lost function.
- Spondylolisthesis: occurs when one of the vertebrae slips out of place, typically due to a degenerative condition or injury. This can cause the spinal column to narrow, placing pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. In severe cases, it can lead to paralysis. Spondylolisthesis is most common in the lower back, but it can also occur in the neck or mid-back. It is more common in older adults, but it can occur at any age. Treatment typically focuses on relieving pain and restoring normal alignment. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to stabilize the spine. With proper treatment, most people with spondylolisthesis can manage their symptoms and live a normal life.
- Degenerative disc disease: a condition in which a bone (vertebra) in the spine slips out of place and onto the bone below it. This can happen because of an injury or simply due to wear and tear on the bones in the spine. Spondylolisthesis can cause back pain and stiffness, and if the vertebra slips too far out of place, it can pinch the nerves surrounding it. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the problem. However, many people with spondylolisthesis find that they can manage their symptoms with nonsurgical treatments such as exercise, physical therapy, and pain medication.
- Abscess: an abscess on the spinal cord is a rare condition that can occur when an infection spreads to the spinal cord tissue. The infection may start in another area of the body, such as the lungs or urinary tract, and then travel through the blood to the spinal cord. An abscess can also develop directly on the spinal cord if there's an injury or surgery in that area. Symptoms of a spinal cord abscess may include back pain, fever, chills, and nausea. If not treated promptly, an abscess can cause serious damage to the spinal cord and lead to paralysis. Treatment typically involves surgically draining the abscess and administering antibiotics. In some cases, it may also be necessary to remove a portion of the affected spinal cord tissue. With prompt treatment, most people make a full recovery from a spinal cord abscess.
Each of these disorders can cause problems with the spinal cord and its function. If you have any of these disorders, it's important to get prompt treatment. With proper treatment, many people are able to manage their symptoms and live a normal life. If you have any concerns about your spinal cord or its function, be sure to talk to your doctor.
Do not try to fix it on your own because you might make it worse. And, if you want to take a proactive approach to prevent any type of back pain, I invite you to enroll in our spinal cord health program by clicking on the link below.
Thanks for reading and I hope this was helpful!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the spinal cord part of the central nervous system?
Yes, it is! the central nervous system (CNS) consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The CNS is responsible for organizing and controlling the body's activities. Together, the brain and spinal cord make up the most complex system in the body. The spinal cord is responsible for relaying messages between the brain and the rest of the body. It also plays an important role in reflexes, which are automatic responses to stimulations such as touch or pain. The spinal cord is a vital part of the central nervous system and essential for life. Without it, we would be unable to experience sensation or move our bodies.
What is the difference between the spinal column and the vertebral column?
There is no difference, the spinal column is also known as the vertebral colum, backbone or spine.
What are the 4 main functions of the spine?
The spine is a vital part of the human body, providing structure and support while also protecting the spinal cord. The spine is made up of 33 individual bones, called vertebrae, which are stacked on top of each other. These bones are connected by joints and ligaments, and the entire spine is surrounded by muscles. While the spine may seem relatively simple in structure, it performs four key functions:
1) The spine supports the weight of the upper body and allows us to stand upright.
2) The spine protects the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that runs from the brain to the rest of the body.
3) The spine provides flexibility and movement, allowing us to bend, twist, and turn.
4) The spine helps to absorb shock, protecting the vertebrae from impact.
Without a healthy spinal cord, our bodies would not be able to function properly. That is why it is important to take care of our spinal cord and seek medical help if we experience any pain or injury.
