The human back consists, conditionally, of two large parts: supporting and motor. Let's talk more about each of them. Consider in general what is the back, the spine, their functions and features.
Structure
The supporting part of the back consists of a spine and limbs attached to it from two sides - arms and legs. One end of the spinal column is attached to the skull and goes inside. The second end ends with the tailbone.
Hands and feet are not attached to the spine directly, but with the help of "auxiliary" ligaments, cartilage and bones - scapular, sacral, and pelvic. It was not by chance that nature gave us these "additional" parts. They, as well as two bends on our spine, play the role of depreciation.
Imagine that nature has decided to arrange our body differently, and the limbs of arms and legs are directly attached to the spinal column. At the first attempt to lift something with one hand, not even very heavy, a person will get a dislocation of the cervical spine.
Why are we arranged this way
The structure of the human back is well thought out. It is the bones and ligaments that provide a safe and competent distribution of weight and load on the entire spine. And thanks to them, additional space appears where the kidneys, lungs (upper lobes), ovaries and uterus are located in women, the rectum.
The pelvic bones absorb shock during walking, running and jumping. And the limbs of the legs play the role of a lever that evenly and smoothly distributes the load on the entire spinal column.
When we carry two bags of 10 kg each, it seems to us that the whole weight that falls on our spine is 20 kg. However, the load on the back is much more severe. Indeed, in addition to these two bags, there is also the weight of our body, clothes (possibly decent in weight - winter, for example) and the weight of the bags themselves. Yes, plus the constant change in gravity when riding on an escalator, for example, balancing on corners, shaking when walking. Having calculated the load that falls on the spine, we can say for sure that this is not 20 kg. This is a weight that exceeds this figure by at least three times.
Why do the spine bend
The back of a person has not perfectly even outlines. The spine has two bends.
Bending in the neck area damps residual vibrations during body movement. If this bend were not there, our brain would suffer first of all. He is extremely sensitive to any movements and shaking. Of course, from the inside it is fixed with special ligaments, similar to ridges, which hold it in place and prevent it from shaking when walking and jumping. But the bend in the cervical spine serves as an additional shock absorber. It softens and redistributes the load and unnecessary waves in this place.
Bending around the lower back is also a shock absorber. Absolutely all the loads that our body experiences when lifting weights pass through the lower back. Here they soften.
Conductive spinal function
The anatomy of the back is such that the spinal column is needed not only to support the vertical position of the body and redistribute the load. He has another important function - conductive.
Inside the spine, like a tube, passes the spinal cord. It is reliably protected from injuries and bumps by cartilage and vertebral tissues. Mental functions on it are not carried out.
The spinal cord consists of a huge number of white and gray neurons. White signals are transmitted to the brain from nerve endings about pain, damage to an organ or tissue. By grays, slowly, signals that are of secondary importance and meaning go to the brain: about filling the stomach, organs of the excretory system.
The spinal cord can be called the "main cable" of the human body. It is through it that the brain receives thousands of signals every day from all organs that are outside the skull.
Propulsion system
For any movement, whether it is a jump, step or turn of the neck, our muscles need an impulse, an order from the brain. Without this, movement is not possible. That is why in people with serious spinal injuries, there are disturbances in the movement of the limbs, loss of control over the muscles of the legs, arms, pulmonary diaphragm, pelvis. All this is very interconnected.
Without an impulse, even with healthy and developed muscles, neither our body nor limbs will move. Muscles, in turn, after receiving an impulse from the brain, carry out very complex work at the anatomical level: they begin to contract and set in motion, flexion, extension of our limbs. Flexion occurs in a strictly defined amplitude, which is determined by the anatomical structure of the joints.
Components of the dorsal regions
Let's talk about this in more detail:
- Vertebral - located above the spinal column, begins at the base of the skull and ends with the tailbone.
- Scapular - located perpendicular to the spinal column, located directly above the shoulder blades.
- Subscapularis - located to the left and right of the spinal column, located under the shoulder blades.
- Sacral - located in the sacral region, perpendicular to the spinal column.
- Lumbar - is located parallel to the sacrum, above the lower back.
The two main categories of back muscles
According to studies, these are:
- Superficial - muscles that are located outside the bones and line the surface of the ribs, collarbones, skulls.
- Deep - are a complex multilayer structure that is involved in maintaining the human body in an upright position. Their location affects different parts of the back, from the skull to the tailbone.
Let's consider each category in more detail. Find out the functions of each subcategory.
Superficial muscles
In turn, they are divided into the following:
- Trapezoid - starts at the base of the skull, attached by the heads to the scapular bones and clavicle. Performs the function of convergence of the shoulder blades with the spine. In addition, the trapezius muscle of the back also controls the tilt of the head back and the extension of the cervical spine. Her anatomy is very interesting.
- The widest - the basis for it is six lower, seventh cervical and all lumbar vertebrae. It has an additional point of attachment in the region of a small convexity of the shoulder. Its function is to move the shoulder.
- The large rhomboid muscle is attached to the first to fifth vertebra of the thoracic region and at the lower edge of the scapula. Its function is the movement of the scapula.
- Small rhomboid muscle - is attached to the first and second vertebra of the neck and the edge of the scapula. It plays a role in the performance of rotary movements by the scapula.
- The muscle that raises the scapula is attached to the first or fourth vertebrae of the neck and upper part of the scapula. It plays a role in moving up and down.
- Upper posterior dentate muscle - attached to the sixth-seventh cervical and first to second thoracic vertebrae. Its function is to raise the ribs and ensure the inspiration process.
- Lower posterior dentate muscle - is attached to the last vertebrae of the chest, the first and second lumbar vertebrae and to the bottom of the last ribs. Its function is to help ensure exhalation.
Deep muscles
Among them are noted such:
- The head muscle of the head - is attached to the vertebra of the neck and partially on the vertebrae of the thoracic region. Its function is to provide turns, tilts back of the head and neck.
- Belt muscle of the neck - attached to the vertebrae of the neck and chest. It provides turns of the cervical spine, extension of the spinal column in the cervical region.
- The muscle that straightens the spine is attached to the sacrum, thoracic region and lumbar region. As the name of the muscle implies, its main function is to maintain the spine in an upright position.
- Transverse-spinous - attached to the transverse and upper vertebrae. Its function is to extend the spinal column and provide body turns.
- The interspinous is a small muscle that is located next to the spine. Participates in the process of extension of the spine.
- The transverse - is attached to the transverse and upper vertebrae. Participates in flexion and extension of the spine.
Oblique muscles
They have very important functions - they provide the correct physiological position of the internal organs, support them in their place. Participate in the formation of proper posture.
They are located in the abdomen and abdominal area, and go on the back.
Striated muscle
They are the basis of the human body. Named so not by chance. Under the microscope, they look like transverse stripes. In another they are also called skeletal muscles.
Their main feature and difference from other muscle groups is the ability to control them with the help of consciousness and complete control over the contraction process.
As you can see, the structure of the human back is quite complex and thoughtful. So that the back does not cause inconvenience and is always in good shape, you need to do exercises, develop a muscle frame, pay attention to proper posture not only during walking, but also during sleep.
How to sleep
From an improper and uncomfortable position of the body during sleep, your health worsens, your appearance, bags under the eyes may appear. Here are some recommendations for a healthy holiday:
- It is best to sleep on your back. In this position, the organs and tissues of the body are well supplied with oxygen, the body is resting. Sleep in this position is useful for varicose veins, heart and vascular diseases. The only thing you need to pay attention to is the pillow - it should not be too high. The chin should not touch the chest. Otherwise, the vertebral artery will be squeezed, which threatens to impair blood flow. And this, in turn, affects the complexion, heart function and overall well-being. It is contraindicated to sleep on your back, even with a low or orthopedic pillow, for pregnant women, as well as for people who snore or are prone to nighttime respiratory arrest.
- Sleeping on one side is also useful provided that the position of the body changes from time to time. From a long sleep, stones can appear on one side in the kidneys. Previously, in ancient China, with problems with the stomach, pancreas and heart, sleep was prescribed on the left side, and with depression and frequent nervous breakdowns - on the right. It is worth noting that sleeping on your side is better without bending your legs strongly - this is harmful to the spine. And sleep on the side with a pillow between the legs or a special orthopedic separator, on the contrary, unloads the spine and hip joints.
The most "wrong" dream
The most harmful dream is sleep on the stomach. In this position, the head and neck are turned to the side, the vertebral arteries are squeezed, the blood flow is disturbed. The muscles of the neck and shoulders are in tension. This position of the body is useful only for flatulence (it is not by chance that babies are laid on the tummy). It is also useful to lie on the stomach for women after childbirth. In this position, contraction of the uterus and bowel function improves.
Signs that our body sends us
Almost every person at least once in his life has encountered problems associated with his back. Sometimes these problems are the result of neglecting simple rules, uncomfortable sleep, poor posture. Let's talk about some of them:
- Back pain between the shoulder blades. The reasons can be different: from hard and hard work to an uncomfortable body position during rest. People who often sit a lot (working at a computer, in the office) can also be disturbed by back pain between the shoulder blades. The causes of this ailment can be hidden in a variety of diseases: in ischemic disease, premenstrual syndrome, osteochondrosis, curvature of the spine, exacerbations of peptic ulcer, excessive stress and fatigue.
- Lower back pain. It occurs with radiculitis, lumbago (lumbago), with sciatica (pinched and squeezed nerve).
- Pain in the sacrum. It happens with osteochondrosis, parametritis and some gynecological problems, displacement of the fifth vertebra, injuries, infections, hernias, hemorrhoids, menstruation. Also observed during pregnancy.
- Coccyx pain. This happens with osteochondrosis, pinching of the roots of the nerves from a long stay in a sitting position, after childbirth, after falling (with a fracture or bruise), during pregnancy, with pinching of the sciatic nerve, coccygeal cyst, some gynecological diseases and neurology.
- Pain in the cervical spine is observed with osteochondrosis, polymyalgia rheumatism, spondylitis, thyroiditis.
What is spinal kyphosis
Kyphosis is a deflection of the spine, in other words, it’s the humpbacked back of a person. There are many reasons for this phenomenon: hormonal imbalance, myogelosis, osteochondrosis, trauma, fractures, atrophy of bone tissue, menopause. Often the hump appears due to the stoop of the back. The spine becomes accustomed to this situation, and the hump gradually grows. This problem is often resolved through exercise or surgery.
You can still list for a very long time. It is important to understand that with any discomfort in the body, you do not need to look for an answer and treatment on the Internet. A person with a sore back should see a doctor. Only in this way, and not with the help of a computer and the Internet, it is possible to solve the problem.
Gymnastics and relaxation techniques
The back of a person needs rest. Muscles that are stressed and spasmed not only hurt, but also bend the spine. The vertebrae are displaced, pinching the neurons that exit the spinal cord. And this, in turn, can cause pain and backache anywhere. Pain in the chest and heart area may even appear.
The neck muscles, which are in constant tension (resulting in a spasm), can negatively affect vision, optic nerves and blood flow to the head.
Many of our problems and ailments arise due to the fact that our back has "forgotten how to relax." The situation can be corrected. One has only to start doing gymnastics, monitor posture and, possibly, change something in your lifestyle.
Exercises to Relax Your Back Muscles
Here are some of them:
- Preparation. As in any gymnastics, before moving on to the exercises themselves, you need to do a warm-up: lie on the floor or on a not too soft sofa. Tighten your knees to your chest. Swing so from side to side. Relax and repeat several times.
- Get up straight. Legs together, hands on the belt. Alternately raise one or the other shoulder.
- Get on all fours. Bend your back like a cat. Relax. Repeat several times.
- The same thing, just standing. Bend your back back.
- From the supine position, make a boat with your feet. Hands under the hips.
- It’s the same, only now the hands are involved, the legs are resting. Hands should be locked in a “lock” behind your back, try to raise your shoulders and head as high as possible from the floor. Arms, head and shoulders to pull back to the feet.
- Lie on your back. Bend your legs at the knees, pull to the chin. Put your arms around your legs, bend your head to your knees. Repeat several times.
- It is also useful to hang from the bar from time to time.
If you have problems with your back, it would be nice to visit a chiropractor, do a course of massages and do physical therapy. And remember, everything needs to be treated on time.