Spinal Anatomy
In order to comprehend the concepts presented in this
book it is essential to acquire a clear understanding
of the vertebral column's basic anatomy. Since this book
is not intended to be an all-encompassing re-creation
of the great anatomical textbooks, I have chosen to limit
discussion to only those anatomical terms and features
that have a direct bearing upon the understanding of
The O'Connor Technique (tm).
Directional
Terminology
The following terms are frequently used in medical terminology
to describe anatomical directions. They can be used to
describe the entire body or any of its parts. One should
have a familiarity with them in order to fully understand
the concepts, positions, and movements described throughout
the book:
Structural
Anatomy
The spinal column has classically been divided into several
structurally and functionally distinct sections, the cervical
spine, the thoracic spine, the lumbar spine and the sacral
spine.
Functional
Anatomy
The nucleus pulposus in combination with the annulus fibrosus
affords shock absorbency function to the disc and allows
the functional disc unit its dynamic flexibility.
Pathological
Anatomy
These discs, being unique structures, break in a unique,
pressure-induced, manner by herniating. When a disc is
said to "herniate", that technically
means that a portion of the nucleus pulposus or other
disc material has pushed through an anatomical structure
meant to otherwise contain it.
Disc Hydraulics
/ Mechanics
Since the majority of back pain emanates from problems
related to the intervertebral disc, a discussion that
is centered around the inter-relationships of anatomy,
physiology, and mechanics is most pertinent.
Disc
Herniation Pathology
As these forces act upon the posterior elements of the
fibro-cartilaginous laminations, the individual fibers
are caused to deform and bow posteriorly outward.
Compression
Forces
It is important to fully understand the compressive forces
acting upon the disc. Here, visualize, again, the two
vertebral bodies separated by a balloon filled with water
to reproduce the disc unit, illustrating the hydraulic
and mechanical forces.
Correlation
of Mechanical Anatomy with Disc Pain
Pain is an extremely interesting phenomenon, it can protect
and teach while at the same time can intimidate and destroy
nearly all enjoyment of life.
Traction Forces
Another means of differentiating whether the source of
pain originates in a disc or from some other source is
that TRACTION can transiently relieve disc pain.
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