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This is a soft , gelatinous, mucoid material at birth. It lies almost in the centre of the intervertebral joint. But as age advances, the anterior part of the body of the vertebra grows much faster than the posterior part. Hence it ultimately lies strictly behind the centre. It forms a cushion between the vertebrae. There is a resultant compression which exerts evenly distributed hydrostatic pressure. The pressure within the nucleus is considerable.

The disc can be damaged by direct or indirect trauma. If the disc is healthy, it would need to be hit by a considerable force to be damaged. Even an impact enough to damage the body of a vertebra is not sufficient to damage a healthy disc. It has been calculated that a normal adult disc can withstand a compression force of 545 kg per square inch before rupturing , while less than 450 kg of pressure is enough to damage the vertebral body. In normal weight bearing, when a person is standing or sitting, the compression force is 45 kg.

Continue reading Osteopathy: Nucleus Pulposus

The spine is not straight. If it is viewed from a side, four curves can be seen:
The cervical curve which is convex forward.
The thoracic curve which is convex forward. The upper part may have a slight lateral curvature directed towards the right side in a right-handed person and the left side in a left-handed person.

The lumbar curve is convex forward. It is more pronounced in females than males. It extends from the lower thoracic vertebra to the lumbo-sacral angle.It is larger than the upper two.

Continue reading Osteopathy: Curves of the Spine, Intervertebral Joints and Intervertebral Discs

It is very important to know the structure and functions of the spine before we begin to understand the cause of pain and what actually happens during manipulation. We must be familiar with the preventive methods and precautions we should take after the pain has gone so that we may not suffer from it again.

Understanding and becoming familiar with the anatomy or the structure of the human body is imperative to understand pathology or the disease process. Then only can we think of a remedy or treatment. Let us examine what our aim in manipulation is, and how these measures help to keep us healthy. Somebody has compared the human spine to a sitar and an osteopath to the maestro who plays the sitar. To learn the sitar, to master it, to produce new ragas, calls for a deep understanding and years of devoted practice.

Continue reading Osteopathy: Understanding the Spine

From a strictly anatomical point of view the posterior joints of the spine are the true joints of the spine. The extent and the variety of movements depends on the shape and direction of the facet joints. They determine the extent of movement and direction of a particular segment. These facet joints are covered by a dense articular capsule which is quite elastic. thin and loose. They are attached just beyond the margins of the articular facets, and are larger and looser in the cervical than in the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Continue reading Osteopathy: Posterior Joints

The spine consists of a series of joints which are united from the second cervical to the first sacral by a number of ligaments. The vertebral bodies are united by anterior and posterior ligaments, and the posterior series of facet joints and neural arches are united by the ligamentum flavum. The function of these and other ligaments is to hold the bone together and yet allow some calculated movements.

The ligaments are elastic structures with an elastic limit. They remain healthy with intermittent stretching. Ligaments can be torn in two ways: sudden force and uninterrupted prolonged moderate stretching. This is why intermitted traction is more physiological than continuous sustained traction.

Continue reading Osteopathy: Ligaments

While selecting a bed due importance should be given to posture and spinal anatomy. Most people are not aware of these considerations. In fact, with affluence and luxurious living, things are changing for the worse rather than the better. Cotton mattresses are being replaced by foam mattresses. The thickness and number of pillows used by an individual are increasing. Springs are often added beneath these foam mattresses. A comfortable bed is considered to be one into which you sink in. Is that correct? Very definitely not!

Continue reading Osteopathy: Selecting the Right Bed for Correct Posture

‘My bed is so cosy, nice and soft,. When I sleep I sink into it, I am in adreamland and I feel wonderful and so fresh in the morning. I love my bed, it is so dear to me.’ ‘Disgusting!’ said the osteopath.

‘I have never played any game in my life. When I was young I entertained myself with novels and movies, or kept myself busy with my course books; I was a bookworm. When I got married, I hardly had my chance to participate in games. My house is well equipped with modern gadgets and amenities so that I hardly exert myself physically.’ ‘Frustrating!’ said the osteopath.

Continue reading Osteopathy: Adopting the Correct Posture

Muscles

There are quite a few muscles which act on the spine and help in its different movements. There are short muscles which act directly and long muscles which act indirectly and aid in the movements of the spine. They help to steady the spine. They produce extension, lateral bending and rotation.

Continue reading Osteopathy: Muscles and Inter-vertebral Foramen

The intervertebral joints of the spine can be hypomobile (less mobile) or hypermobile (more mobile). A hypermobile joint with elongated weak ligaments is more vulnerable to disc lesion. Hypermobility leads to impaired nutrition, and then degeneration and softening of the disc. In this case, as the supporting ligaments of the annulus fibrosus are weak, herniation of the disc is inevitable. Hypermobility also leads to injury and tearing of the ligaments, and when there is a prolapsed disc, it takes much longer to heal, as giving support and rest to these joints is difficult.

Continue reading Osteopathy: Mobility of the Spine for Correct Posture

Susceptibility of the Spine to Pain

Why is the spine so susceptible to pain? The answer lies in man’s acquisition of an erect posture. During the process of evolution, man became a biped from a quadruped. When walking on four feet, the spine was supported by the two hands and feet. It never had to bear the flexion strain as it had no need to bend forward, being supported by the feet.

When man assumed an erect posture, the compression and flexion strains were added to the spine, for which it was not designed. Worst of all, each pair of nerves emerged from the weakest portion of the spine–that is, the intervertebral joints. Moreover each joint contained a disc (except the two uppermost) – a ring of fibro-cartilage with a pulpy centre, and a nucleus pulposus, adding further to the spinal weakness.

Continue reading Osteopathy: Susceptibility of the Spine to Pain and Osteopathic Lesion