Do you ever experience back pain? If you’re curious about back pain, this article is for you!
The spine has many joints called vertebrae. Between each vertebrae are discs that act as cushions, and there are also ligaments and muscles that help support and stabilize your spine.
When these structures become damaged or worn out from overuse, they may put pressure on your spinal cord or nerve roots. This causes pain and discomfort in your back because those nerves are sending messages about what’s happening to your body to other parts of your body like your legs and arms
Read on to find out some facts about your back!
1) Back pain is actually quite common
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: “About 4.0 million Australians (16% of the total population) have back problems, based on self-reported data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2017–18 National Health Survey (NHS).”
Back pain affects many people at some point in their lives, and it is one of the leading causes of missed work days and doctor visits, as well as emergency room visits.
This is why regular visits to your chiropractor are so important for keeping your spine and neck in alignment.
2) What do humans and giraffes have in common?
Here’s a spinal cord fact that could help you win a bet at your next family or high school reunion. What is it that giraffes and humans have in common?
According to the Cleveland Zoological Society, their necks each have seven cervical vertebrae. A giraffe would seem to have far more, but they don’t.
In fact, the majority of other mammals have only seven vertebrae. How is this possible? A giraffe’s neck vertebrae can be up to 10 inches long!
3) Not all causes of back pain will need surgery
It’s worth noting that not all back pain or injuries need surgery. Many back pain issues do not require invasive treatment or pain medication.
Even if your back pain is chronic, your chiropractor might be able to address it with a variety of holistic, non-invasive treatment options like chiropractic massages and chiropractic care.
One of the most important parts of your body is your spine and the nerves that run through it. Regular chiropractic care or checkups for your spine and joints are just as important as other yearly health practices like flu vaccinations and mammograms.
At times, people choose to go to their chiropractors for regular checkups just to make sure their musculoskeletal system has no issues.
4) Surgery can be performed by robots
With all of the advances in medicine, it was only a matter of time before robots performed surgeries!
The Virginia Spine Institute was the first to perform a robotic-assisted surgery. Robotic devices provide greater control and precision, allowing patients to achieve better results. The use of robots may also enable a less invasive approach to surgery. Amazing!
Wrap up
There are many fascinating facts about the back – how humans are like giraffes or how robots can perform surgeries. How many people in the world experience back pain at one point or another. It can be acute or chronic.
If you have experienced back pain before, you may choose to consult your doctor or chiropractor.
