Move your spine

Move your spine, your discs will thank you for it!

Your spine is made up of 33 vertebrae. In between these vertebrae are intervertebral discs (IVD) that allow our spine to bend and rotate. Without them our spine would be like a broomstick. They also act like shock absorbers when we are walking, running, and jumping.

Like everything in our body, IVD’s grow with us and age with us. If they become injured, they will heal. IVD’s rely on glucose and oxygen to help them grow, repair, and stay strong. Glucose is used to create energy which is used along with oxygen to build the disc material. However, IVD’s do not have a direct blood supply to deliver glucose and oxygen like the rest of our body does. IVD’s must get their nutrients from the vertebrae above and below them.

One-way IVD’s get nutrients is via movement of the spine. Movement of your spine pumps fluid with nutrients into the disc. Disruptions in nutrient transport may advance degenerative disk disease. Good posture and spinal movement help your discs grow, repair, and stay healthy.

Can you think of a way to maintain great posture and spinal mobility?