The Human Spine


The spine is literally the supporting structure of the body. It has 
changed little since we decided to stand on our own two feet. The lower 
two vertebrae have grown more solid in time....an improvement 
exclusively found in human beings. 

In profile, the spine is curved in a faint S-shape to help it cope with 
the different kinds of load. It is this natural form that should be 
supported during sedentary work. Any modern office chair can do this but 
there are natural limits to it. We are not designed to sit still like 
that even in the correct position, for long periods of time, will create 
problems. Backaches will remind you when enough is enough. 

The spine is well sprung with resilient discs between the vertebrae and 
luckily, too. Otherwise, just one ordinary step would result in a minor 
concussion. The sacrum and coccyx cannot move but the 24 other vertebrae 
are connected by moveable joints. Together they make a very elastic 
construction. 

A wrong working posture, especially if you bend forward too much, will 
produce an uneven pressure on the discs. When the discs are "squeezed" 
out of shape, the surrounding tissue will compress or stretch. If the 
pressure becomes excessive, you may end up with a slipped disc. The 
outer ring of the disc will rupture so that the soft core will be 
squeezed out and press on the nerves. 



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Listen To Your Muscles


Muscles like to work. They almost never hurt when they are used....only 
when they are abused. 

Pain in neck and shoulders is usually caused by a wrong position with 
the neck bent forward and the shoulders raised. 

When you move, a muscle will alternately tighten and relax. This action 
keeps blood circulating to remove toxines from the muscles and supply it 
with fresh oxygen and nutrients. 

Problems will arise if a muscle is more or less tight all the time as 
when working with a wrong posture. The muscle is unable to get rid of 
toxines and receives no fresh oxygen. What you feel is pain, a warning 
signal, the body's way of protecting the muscles against overload. 

Regular pauses are not a waste of time. They are a must for our 
well-being and even for our working efficiency. Too often many people 
tend to ignore the signals and presevere bravely to the point of risking 
severe muscle aches. 



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