Providing protection for your spinal column: Extending from the brain and running through the cervical and thoracic spine, your spinal cord encompasses a bundle of nerves. The stacked vertebrae of ...

While muscles and other tissues assist, the lowest portion of the vertebral column—known as the lumbar spine —provides support as you bend, twist, and extend your upper body.

Dr. Ken Thomas, a spinal specialist helping care for Humboldt Broncos player Ryan Straschnitzki who was paralyzed from the chest down in the horrific crash of his team bus in Saskatchewan, says it ...