The Spinal Engine

This book deals with the human spine with particular emphasis on the lumbar spine. Human gait is traditionally believed to be the exclusive function of the legs. The book presents arguments and data that challenge that belief. It proposes that the spine is the primary engine that makes us move. This engine, inherited from our fish ancestors, was never transferred to any extremities during our long evolutionary journey. From the theoretical and clinical analysis of the normal function of the spine, one can describe the changes that degrade its function. This forces us to define normality in terms of functionality, rather than anatomical perfection. A procedure for the objective measure of spinal function is proposed, and it’s clinical use discussed. The theory of the spinal engine positions the vertebrates as benefitting from the earth gravitational field for their activities, and resolves many apparent contradictions in the experimental data collected by many scientific peers. This book deals with the human spine with particular emphasis on the lumbar spine. It reviews the existing biomechanical theories on the function of the spine, analyzing their limitations, and showing in what way they could be improved. The human gait is traditionally believed to be the exclusive function of the legs. The book presents arguments and data that challenge that belief. It proposes that the spine is the primary engine that makes us move. This engine, inherited from our fish ancestors, was never transferred to any extremities during our long evolutionary journey. From the theoretical and clinical analysis of the normal function of the spine, one can describe the changes that degrade its function and appreciate the reasons for observed modifications, such as facet arthropathy. This forces us to define normality in terms of functionality, rather than anatomical perfection. From there, a procedure for the objective measure of spinal function is proposed, and its use in the assessment of rehabilitation discussed. Indeed, the ultimate test of this theory rests with the ability to help the injured. The theory of the spinal engine positions the vertebrates as benefitting from the earth gravitational field for their activities, and resolves many apparent contradictions in the experimental data collected by many scientific peers. read an excerpt