Anatomy of Your Spine

Your  spine is made up of 24 vertebrae and sacrum. There are 7 cervical (neck), 12 thoracic (midback – your ribs are attached to them), and 5 lumbar (low back) vertebrae. Between each set of vertebrae is an intervertebral disc (IVD) which acts like a cushion.  Your nerves exit between each set of vertebrae through a foramina (hole or opening). When your vertebrae are misaligned, they can put pressure on the nerves as they exit.