What is the spine?
The spine (aka backbone) is a linked column of bones running from the head down to the lower
back. Bone segments form the column. One bone segment is a vertebra, and multiple bone
segments are vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles connect these vertebrae, and a disc separates
most of the vertebrae and acts like a cushion to absorb shock along the spine. Each vertebra is numbered and grouped into 5 regions.
- There are 7 cervical vertebrae in the cervical region.
- There are 12 thoracic vertebrae in the thoracic region.
- There are 5 lumbar vertebrae in the lumbar region.
- There are 5 sacral vertebrae, which are fused as one bone and known as the sacrum, in the sacral region.
- There are 3 to 5 coccygeal vertebrae, which are fused as one bone and known as the coccyx (commonly known as the tailbone), in the coccygeal region.
What does the spinal cord do?
The brain and spinal cord are your body’s central nervous system. The brain is the command center for your body, and the spinal cord is the pathway for messages sent by the brain to the body and from the body to the brain.
The peripheral nervous system is the network of nerves strands that branch off from the left and right sides of the spinal cord through openings between each vertebra on the spinal canal. These nerve pairs spread throughout your body to deliver commands from your brain and spinal cord to and from parts of your body
What is a spinal cord injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is the occurrence of an acute traumatic damage to the spinal cord or nerves roots within the spinal column, that results in temporary or permanent loss of movement (motor function), sensation (sensory function), and bodily systems (autonomic functions).
Higher levels of injuries typically result in a greater loss of function when compared to injuries at lower levels of the spinal cord. For example, people with tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs) have greater loss of function than people with paraplegia (paralysis of both legs).
What causes spinal cord injury?
Vehicle crashes are currently the leading cause of injury, followed by falls, acts of violence (primarily gunshot wounds), and sports/recreation activities.
What are the Locations That Spinal Cord Injuries Can Occur?
While spinal cord injuries can result from damage to any portion of the spinal cord or nerves at its base, these injuries typically are divided into three main areas:
- cervical spinal cord
- thoracic spinal cord
- lumbar spinal cord
The cervical spinal cord consists of a total of eight vertebrae, ranging from the top to bottom as C1-C8. Cervical spine damage, such as a C6 spinal cord injury, may potentially impact everything below the top of the ribcage, therefore resulting in quadriplegia ( paralysis of all four limbs).
The thoracic spinal cord is situated in the middle of the spinal cord and contains 12 vertebrae, numbered T1-T12. This range of the spinal cord, in conjunction with spinal nerves, control the main trunk of the body and aids in coordinating movement in the lower body.
The lumbar spinal cord is the lower region of the spinal cord, where it naturally begins to curve. This area of the spine consists of five vertebrae, numbered L1-L5. This region of the spinal column coordinates sensations in the lower body, including bladder and sexual functions.
The sacral spine, an area of vertebrae and nerves that exists between the bottom of the lumbar spine and the coccyx (tailbone), can undermine sensation in lower regions of the body. This region of the spine does not contain any spinal cord tissue. So while it is possible to injure the vertebrae or nerves, damage cannot be directly inflicted to your spinal cord at this location.
The coccygeal region consists of bones that may be fused together and a single vertebral nerve that is located at the base of the spinal cord.
What is paralysis?
Paralysis is an inability to voluntarily move all or part of your body.
What is tetraplegia?
Tetraplegia (sometimes referred to as quadriplegia) is a term used to describe the inability to voluntarily move the upper and lower parts of the body. The areas of impaired mobility usually include the fingers, hands, arms, chest, legs, feet and toes and may or may not include the head, neck, and shoulders
Traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. An object that penetrates brain tissue, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury.
Physical symptoms
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
- No loss of consciousness, but a state of being dazed, confused or disoriented
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Problems with speech
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sleeping more than usual
- Dizziness or loss of balance
When to see a doctor?
Always see your doctor if you or your child has received a blow to the head or body that concerns you or causes behavioral changes. Seek emergency medical care if there are any signs or symptoms of traumatic brain injury following a recent blow or other traumatic injury to the head.
The terms “mild,” “moderate” and “severe” are used to describe the effect of the injury on brain function. A mild injury to the brain is still a serious injury that requires prompt attention and an accurate diagnosis.
Low Back Pain
Common types include:
- Mechanical pain. By far the most common cause of lower back pain, mechanical pain is pain primarily from the muscles, ligaments, joints or bones in and around the spine. This type of pain tends to be localized to the lower back, buttocks, and sometimes the top of the legs.
- Radicular pain. This type of pain can occur if a spinal nerve root becomes impinged or inflamed. Radicular pain may follow a nerve root pattern or dermatome down into the buttock and/or leg. Its specific sensation is sharp, electric, burning-type pain and can be associated with numbness or weakness. It is typically felt on only one side of the body.
There are many additional sources of pain, including claudication pain (from stenosis) myelopathic pain, neuropathic pain, deformity, tumors, infections, pain from inflammatory conditions and pain that originates from another part of the body and presents in the lower back such as kidney stones. It is also possible for low back pain to develop with no definitive cause. When this happens, the primary focus is on treating the symptoms (rather than the cause of the symptoms) and the patient’s overall health.
If the back pain has any of the following characteristics, it is a good idea to see a physician for an evaluation:
- Back pain that follows a trauma, such as a car accident or fall off a ladder
- The pain is constant and getting worse
- Back pain that continues for more than four to six weeks
- The pain is severe and does not improve after a day or two of typical remedies, such as rest, ice and common pain relievers (such as ibuprofen or Tylenol)
- The pain is worse at night (most common forms of back pain are alleviated by rest)
- Severe pain at night (e.g. pain that wakes one up from deep sleep)
- Abdominal pain that accompanies the back pain
- Numbness or altered sensation in the saddle area (upper inner thighs, groin area, buttock or genital area)
- Neurological problems, such as weakness, numbness or tingling in the leg(s) or arm(s).
Headaches
Tension headaches
If you have a tension headache, you may feel a dull, aching sensation all over your head. It isn’t throbbing. Tenderness or sensitivity around your neck, forehead, scalp, or shoulder muscles also might occur.
Anyone can get a tension headache, and they’re often triggered by stress.
An over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever may be all it takes to relieve your occasional symptoms.
Cluster headache
It is an uncommon condition characterized by short-lived attacks of sudden, severe pain around one of the eyes. The word cluster is used because these headaches typically come in groups or bunches. Episodic cluster headaches are defined as those that occur in periods (clusters) lasting from 7 days to 1 year.
Migraines
Migraine pain is an intense pulsing from deep within your head. This pain can last for days. The headache significantly limits your ability to carry out your daily routine. Migraines are throbbing and usually one-sided. People with migraine headaches are often sensitive to light and sound. Nausea and vomiting also usually occur.
Allergy or sinus headaches
Headaches sometimes happen as a result of an allergic reaction. The pain from these headaches is often focused in your sinus area and in the front of your head.
Migraine headaches are commonly misdiagnosed as sinus headaches. In fact, up to 90 percent of “sinus headaches” are actually migraines. People who have chronic seasonal allergies or sinusitis are susceptible to these kinds of headaches
Hypertension headaches
High blood pressure can cause you to have a headache, and this kind of headache signals an emergency. This occurs when your blood pressure becomes dangerously high.
A hypertension headache will usually occur on both sides of your head and is typically worse with any activity. It often has a pulsating quality. You may also experience changes in vision, numbness or tingling, nosebleeds, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
Post-traumatic headaches
Post-traumatic headaches can develop after any type of head injury. These headaches feel like migraines or tension-type headaches, and usually last up to 6 to 12 months after your injury occurs. They can become chronic.
When to see your doctor?
In most cases, episodic headaches will go away within 48 hours. If you have a headache that lasts more than two days or that increases in intensity, you should see your doctor for assistance.
If you’re getting headaches more than 15 days out of the month over a period of three months, you might have a chronic headache condition. You should see your doctor to find out what’s wrong, even if you’re able to manage the pain with aspirin or ibuprofen.
Headaches can be a symptom of more serious health conditions, and some do require treatment beyond OTC medications and home remedies.