Table of contents:
- Why is the spinal cord different from other body systems?
- The way the spinal cord protects against injury
- How does the spinal cord work with the muscles of the body?
- How to care for the spinal cord so that injury does not occur
- 1. Don't sit too long
- 2. Wear comfortable and well-fitting shoes
- 3. Lifting items with your arms and hands
One of the nerves that most influence the transmission of signals in your brain is the spinal cord. Well, because it is protected by the spine, it is called the spinal cord. Actually, what is the spinal cord and why does it affect your brain so much?
Why is the spinal cord different from other body systems?
The spinal cord is a part of the central nervous system that has a vital role for the movement and core of your thoughts. Starting from walking, talking, to breathing. Therefore, if this nerve gets injured, it can have a sizable impact on your body.
Similar to the brain, the spinal cord is also covered with three layers of the meninges. Well, the spinal cord and meninges run through the center of the spine and consist of 26 individual vertebrae (vertebrae).
These vertebrae are separated by discs made of cartilage. This cartilage or cartilage acts as a pillow to reduce the force generated when you jump or walk.
The way the spinal cord protects against injury
Well, because these nerves are very important for your body, of course they have a protective layer that is strong enough than other systems.
First of all, the injury does not immediately damage this nerve because there are bones of the skull and spine that protect it. Both function to block a hard impact so that injury does not occur. The fluid that is under the bone also acts as an absorber for shock power.
However, this defense tool also backfired on the network. This is because when the impact succeeds in injuring the spinal cord, the soft tissue of the brain and nerves will swell. This can be stressful because there is no more space.
The swelling can actually make the injury and bone infection worse. Therefore, if you have a spinal cord injury, please go directly to the nearest hospital.
How does the spinal cord work with the muscles of the body?
This type of central nerve is indeed connected by all tissues in the body, including muscle tissue. That's because your mind sends commands to move to your central nervous system (CNS). From the CNS, it is then channeled through the somatic parts to the nerves which are responsible for controlling movement.
When the message arrives, acetylcholine is released from the nerve endings and stimulates the muscle fiber membrane so that it contracts. Even though it looks fast, it turns out that this process takes about 1 millisecond.
How to care for the spinal cord so that injury does not occur
First of all, start paying attention to your lifestyle. Whether your daily activities really affect your spine or not. Here are some tips for preventing injury to your spinal cord.
1. Don't sit too long
Avoid sitting for too long so that your back and spine do not get too much pressure. This is because the discs in your spine receive three times as much weight when sitting.
The problem is, when people have been sitting for too long, they tend to bend over and lower their heads. This can cause the discs in the lumbar spine to become tense.
Therefore, try to stand up and stretch for at least a few minutes after sitting for 30-60 minutes.
2. Wear comfortable and well-fitting shoes
Why, why does the choice of shoes affect the health of your spine?
The answer is that good posture of your legs can maintain the condition of the spine. Your feet are the foundation to support the body as a whole and support the body by properly aligning your back according to your spine.
Make sure that you are using shoes that are not too loose and narrow and have support soles for the heels. This aims to prevent excessive supination and pronation.
3. Lifting items with your arms and hands
Try not to carry heavy objects on your back. This turns out to have an impact on the discs in your spine to become tense.
- Try not to bend your body forward when lifting the object.
- Try to bend your knees when picking up the object and lift it with your leg or arm.
- Avoid twisting your back or carrying the weight over your shoulders.
So, those are the facts about the spinal cord. Apart from being a fairly important tissue in your body, you can also treat the spinal cord by keeping the spine from getting injured.
