Questions and Answers About Chiropractic: How many joints are in your spine?
Chiropractors adjust the spine to correct vertebral subluxations – but do you have any idea how complex your spinal column is?
Your spine contains 24 vertebrae (spinal bones) that are connected by 23 discs. These discs act as shock absorbers, give the spine its curve, strengthen it and increase its flexibility.
Each vertebra has four posterior (back facing) joint surfaces that connect it to the other vertebrae, PLUS each vertebra connects with the discs above and below. In addition, many vertebra have joints that connect your spine to your ribs, sacrum, skull and other structures.
In all your spine has 364 joints! About one for every day in a year. Coincidence? Maybe there’s a joint that resonates with every day! That’s a stretch, but you never know.
All those joints work together to support your weight and permit you to move in lots of different directions, and to get into all kinds of weird positions. Is it any wonder that chiropractors are so busy keeping this structure in alignment with all its parts balanced with gravity? Stop by and we’ll make sure everything is in order. (1)
- Cramer G, Darby S. Clinical Anatomy of The Spine, Spinal Cord, and ANS (3rd Edition). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Mosby. 2014;Appendix I:638-642.