When Mother Nature created the spine, she devised a structure like no other: a stable infrastructure that provides support for the core of the body while at the same time a dynamic machine that facilitates movement and transmits information so that we can grasp, run, walk, ski, dance and do myriad other things.
Stabilizing and dynamic, the spinal column simultaneously provides structural support of the bodywhile allowing the body to twist, turn and bend.
At the same time, the bony structure of the spinal column protects the spinal cord, which transmits nerve impulses from the brain to the muscles of the body.
The human spine is unique.
Its design enables people to stand upright.
Other than the primates, which need to lean on their hands in order to walk, no other mammal on earth has the ability to stand upright when moving.
A normal, healthy spine looks like an "S:and is made up of bony vertebrae and gelatinous intervertebral discs.
Running through the central vertebral canal of the spine is the main wiring of the central nervous system- the spinal cord - that allows information to be transmitted from all over the body to the brain, the body's incredible information processing unit, and from the brain outward through the sensory and motor nervous systems.
Radiating from the spinal cord are smaller nerve roots and nerve paths that transmit electrical impulses - information - to the organs, limbs, muscles and all of the other parts of the human body.
These smaller nerves exit the vertical vertebral canal through smaller horizontal canals called the foramen that run between the vertebrae.
The 33 levels of bone- or vertebrae - that make up the bony structure of the spine are classified into three sections main sections: the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions.
These 33 vertebrae protect 31 pairs of nerves exiting the spinal cord through the formainal canals, delivering messages to hands and feet and every part of the body in between.
Seven vertebrae comprise the cervical region of the spine.
The top vertebra supports and balances the skull, while the other six provide flexibility to the neck, protecting the spinal cord as it joins the brain.
Twelve more vertebrae make up the thoracic region, which is the area from the bottom of the neck to the last rib.
The thoracic vertebrae connect to, and support, the ribs.
Five more vertebrae create the lumbar region, supporting most of the body's weight.
They also help the upper and lower portions of the body to work in tandem.
Understandably, this area of the spine is often the part that gives people the most trouble.
The last five vertebrae are fused into one structure called the sacrum which is joined into two large bones of the pelvis called the ilia.
That area is also called the sacroiliac joint.
The 33 vertebrae of the spine are separated by shock absorbers called intervertebral discs.
These discs, comprised primarily of water and collagen, have two main portions - the outermost fibrous ring or the annulus fibrosus and the innermost gelatinous core or the nucleus pulposus.
Along the back of the vertebrae, which are stacked upon one another, runs the spinal canal or vertebral foramen, providing protection for the nerves transmitting impulses from the brain to the muscles, bones, joints and organs of the body and which allows each one to have control of its specific function.
Further protecting the spinal canal are bony protuberances called spinous and transverse processes.
The spinous processes are the little nubby bones you feel as you run your fingers along your spine.
They act as levers for the muscles that keep us upright and muscles that help us to move.
The transverse processes are located on either side of the spinous processes in each vertebra and are places where muscles attach.
Most often these components are healthy and work well together to create ease of movement without pain.
Most healthy, back pain-free people hardly notice when their vertebrae, discs or foramen are doing their jobs.
But when there is a problem, the pain is often severe and chronic.
And the problems are varied: Vertebrae can be damaged from osteoporosis or by compression, discs can rupture or bulge, foramen can shrink and impinge on nerves.
People in their 20's and 30's often develop back problems as a result of injuries.
Many of them are hurt while playing sports or in traffic accidents.
But, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers suffer injuries to their backs each year.
Herniated or ruptured discs are often the result of workplace, sports or traffic accidents.
But most common back problems are associated with aging.
And a great percentage of the population ignores the small changes that hinder the smooth operation of the spine.
The changes associated with aging are not immediate but rather occur over time.
Generally, they are not even noticed as the body adjusts to accommodate them.
The most common cause of back pain and loss of ambulation that we've seen over the years is spinal stenosis.
Stenosis generally starts as early as 30 - depending upon genetics, physical demands of jobs and other daily activity - and is usually diagnosed when a person approaches 50.
It can come about as the bony vertebrae develop spurs that narrow the openings of the foramen.
The spurs and the narrowed foramen can impinge on the nerves, resulting in sustained compression.
That creates an aching pain that can endure for years, and which, ultimately, can only be relieved through surgery.
And if the pain is ignored, the problem can progress to weakness and numbness.
Patients lose mobility and have to depend on canes or crutches or even wheelchairs.
But, the pain can be relieved.
And, while the surgery relieves the pain by freeing the nerves, it also helps to restore mobility - if the patient has sought help soon enough.
Many of the problems can be fixed.
Surgery, such as The Bonati Procedures(sm), an innovative range of advanced spine surgeries developed and perfected by The Bonati Institute(sm), can fix problems such as spinal stenosis by freeing the nerves that become constricted by bone spurs and osteoarthritis.
It can deaden nerves that transmit the excruciating pain that accompanies facet inflammation.
The procedures employ the smallest incision possible to correct problems of the lumbar, cervical and thoracic spine with patented instrumentation and methods.
The Bonati Procedures are performed sequentially as outpatient surgeries with the patient under local anesthesia and alert and able to communicate with the surgeon throughout the procedure.
The result of this approach is far less trauma to the muscles and tissues, minimal blood loss and faster recovery.
The Bonati Procedures are performed only at The Bonati Institute in Hudson, Florida.
Mother Nature created a body that under ideal circumstances works well for about 50 years.
But technology has given us the opportunity to almost double our life expectancy.
Modern medical advances also make it possible for patients to not only arm themselves with knowledge of back pain treatments, but to realize the possibility of living a life free of back pain.
Stabilizing and dynamic, the spinal column simultaneously provides structural support of the bodywhile allowing the body to twist, turn and bend.
At the same time, the bony structure of the spinal column protects the spinal cord, which transmits nerve impulses from the brain to the muscles of the body.
The human spine is unique.
Its design enables people to stand upright.
Other than the primates, which need to lean on their hands in order to walk, no other mammal on earth has the ability to stand upright when moving.
A normal, healthy spine looks like an "S:and is made up of bony vertebrae and gelatinous intervertebral discs.
Running through the central vertebral canal of the spine is the main wiring of the central nervous system- the spinal cord - that allows information to be transmitted from all over the body to the brain, the body's incredible information processing unit, and from the brain outward through the sensory and motor nervous systems.
Radiating from the spinal cord are smaller nerve roots and nerve paths that transmit electrical impulses - information - to the organs, limbs, muscles and all of the other parts of the human body.
These smaller nerves exit the vertical vertebral canal through smaller horizontal canals called the foramen that run between the vertebrae.
The 33 levels of bone- or vertebrae - that make up the bony structure of the spine are classified into three sections main sections: the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions.
These 33 vertebrae protect 31 pairs of nerves exiting the spinal cord through the formainal canals, delivering messages to hands and feet and every part of the body in between.
Seven vertebrae comprise the cervical region of the spine.
The top vertebra supports and balances the skull, while the other six provide flexibility to the neck, protecting the spinal cord as it joins the brain.
Twelve more vertebrae make up the thoracic region, which is the area from the bottom of the neck to the last rib.
The thoracic vertebrae connect to, and support, the ribs.
Five more vertebrae create the lumbar region, supporting most of the body's weight.
They also help the upper and lower portions of the body to work in tandem.
Understandably, this area of the spine is often the part that gives people the most trouble.
The last five vertebrae are fused into one structure called the sacrum which is joined into two large bones of the pelvis called the ilia.
That area is also called the sacroiliac joint.
The 33 vertebrae of the spine are separated by shock absorbers called intervertebral discs.
These discs, comprised primarily of water and collagen, have two main portions - the outermost fibrous ring or the annulus fibrosus and the innermost gelatinous core or the nucleus pulposus.
Along the back of the vertebrae, which are stacked upon one another, runs the spinal canal or vertebral foramen, providing protection for the nerves transmitting impulses from the brain to the muscles, bones, joints and organs of the body and which allows each one to have control of its specific function.
Further protecting the spinal canal are bony protuberances called spinous and transverse processes.
The spinous processes are the little nubby bones you feel as you run your fingers along your spine.
They act as levers for the muscles that keep us upright and muscles that help us to move.
The transverse processes are located on either side of the spinous processes in each vertebra and are places where muscles attach.
Most often these components are healthy and work well together to create ease of movement without pain.
Most healthy, back pain-free people hardly notice when their vertebrae, discs or foramen are doing their jobs.
But when there is a problem, the pain is often severe and chronic.
And the problems are varied: Vertebrae can be damaged from osteoporosis or by compression, discs can rupture or bulge, foramen can shrink and impinge on nerves.
People in their 20's and 30's often develop back problems as a result of injuries.
Many of them are hurt while playing sports or in traffic accidents.
But, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers suffer injuries to their backs each year.
Herniated or ruptured discs are often the result of workplace, sports or traffic accidents.
But most common back problems are associated with aging.
And a great percentage of the population ignores the small changes that hinder the smooth operation of the spine.
The changes associated with aging are not immediate but rather occur over time.
Generally, they are not even noticed as the body adjusts to accommodate them.
The most common cause of back pain and loss of ambulation that we've seen over the years is spinal stenosis.
Stenosis generally starts as early as 30 - depending upon genetics, physical demands of jobs and other daily activity - and is usually diagnosed when a person approaches 50.
It can come about as the bony vertebrae develop spurs that narrow the openings of the foramen.
The spurs and the narrowed foramen can impinge on the nerves, resulting in sustained compression.
That creates an aching pain that can endure for years, and which, ultimately, can only be relieved through surgery.
And if the pain is ignored, the problem can progress to weakness and numbness.
Patients lose mobility and have to depend on canes or crutches or even wheelchairs.
But, the pain can be relieved.
And, while the surgery relieves the pain by freeing the nerves, it also helps to restore mobility - if the patient has sought help soon enough.
Many of the problems can be fixed.
Surgery, such as The Bonati Procedures(sm), an innovative range of advanced spine surgeries developed and perfected by The Bonati Institute(sm), can fix problems such as spinal stenosis by freeing the nerves that become constricted by bone spurs and osteoarthritis.
It can deaden nerves that transmit the excruciating pain that accompanies facet inflammation.
The procedures employ the smallest incision possible to correct problems of the lumbar, cervical and thoracic spine with patented instrumentation and methods.
The Bonati Procedures are performed sequentially as outpatient surgeries with the patient under local anesthesia and alert and able to communicate with the surgeon throughout the procedure.
The result of this approach is far less trauma to the muscles and tissues, minimal blood loss and faster recovery.
The Bonati Procedures are performed only at The Bonati Institute in Hudson, Florida.
Mother Nature created a body that under ideal circumstances works well for about 50 years.
But technology has given us the opportunity to almost double our life expectancy.
Modern medical advances also make it possible for patients to not only arm themselves with knowledge of back pain treatments, but to realize the possibility of living a life free of back pain.
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