Understanding Your Back

Your spine supports your entire body, allowing you to bend and move freely. Your spine enables you to walk, run and jump while holding you upright. It is very important to keep your spine in good health.

The spine contains 24 small bones called vertebrae. These bones are stacked one on top of the other in a column, which forms the spine. Each vertebra is shaped like a flattened disc with a hole on one side of it. Running through this hole is the spinal cord. The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry signals from your brain to the rest of your body. The spine protects your spinal cord from injury.