The spinal cord is enclosed within vertebral canal which is formed by alignment of vertebrae.

The spinal cord is enclosed within vertebral canal which is formed by alignment of vertebrae. Acharya sushruta describes anatomy of spinal column as follows.
Prushte trimshat - The number of back bones are 30 (Cervical-7, Thoracic – 12, Lumbar- 5, vertebrae fused in sacrum -5, coccyx –1 ). While describing the joints in spinal column it has been said as “ Chaturvimshatihi prishta vamshe “. This means there are 24 joints in spinal column.Maamsaanyatra nibaddhani siraabhihi snaayubhistatha. Asthinyaalambanam kritwaa The ligaments and tendons hold the bones and muscles together.

Causes for back ache. Bones and thighs are mainly occupied by Vata. Vata controls and directs the body movements.

Back pain occurs when vata in this region gets aggravated due to unwise physical activities (mithya yoga of karma), exaggerated physical activities (Ati yoga of karma ) or less physical activities (hina yoga of karma).

1. Back ache usually arises from spasm of muscles that support our spine. The muscles supporting spine go into spasm when we lift things unwisely, bending over too sharply, sitting in a unsuitable chair, etc.
These type of movements are called as “Mithyaa yoga of karma or action” in ayurveda.

By Dr.Savitha SuriIntroduction