Spine

33 vertebrae

How does the spine work?

A stack of vertebrae and cushioning discs that protects the spinal cord and lets you bend and twist.

Back pain

Most acute low back pain improves within weeks. Staying gently active usually helps more than bed rest.

When to get help

Back pain with numbness in the groin, loss of bladder control, leg weakness, or fever needs urgent care.

Evidence & sources

• For acute low back pain, staying active is generally recommended over bed rest. Evidence: strong. Known: Consistent across clinical guidelines. Unknown: Best exercise type varies. Source: NIH NINDS, Low Back Pain (Current revision).

Connected topics

• Bone Tissue
• Nerve Signaling
• Cartilage
• Strength Training
• Walking
• Nervous System

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General education only, not medical advice. Drafted Oct 2026 · pending qualified expert review.