Dr. Anders Cohen on Spinal Anatomy
Dr. Anders Cohen, Chief of Neurosurgery at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, believes that learning how the spine works is the best way to understand and prevent complications that can arise from spinal disorders.
The main function of the spine or vertebral column is to protect the spinal cord, which is responsible for transmitting neural signals between the brain and different parts of the body. The vertebrae also supports the body, whether it is stationary or in motion. In between each bone in the vertebrae are intervertebral discs made of flexible fibers. These act as joints and shock absorbers for the spine, so that the vertebral bones would not grind against each other.
As people age, the bones in their spine become brittle and the intervertebral discs may lose some of their flexibility. This is the reason why supporting the back through fitness and good posture is very important. Dr. Anders Cohen recommends including spine-strengthening exercises to one’s workout routine.