The back's system of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves work together to bear the weight of your body and the loads you carry. The structure of the back provides considerable strength and flexibility, but because the spine is so central to the body's movements, even small amounts of damage can often cause pain.

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The spine consists of 33 bony segments, the vertebrae. Between these lie the discs: tough, spongy cushions that act as shock absorbers for the vertebrae and give the spine flexibility. Strong elastic ligaments hold the vertebrae and disc firmly together in a column. Muscles are attached to the vertebrae by fibrous connections called tendons. The complex layers of back muscles contract to move your back and upper body.

The spine also protects the spinal cord, which runs down through a canal formed by the vertebrae. Nerves from the spinal cord branch out and leave the spine through spaces between the vertebrae at the levels of the discs.

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