Whether you need to get in a two point or perform a plie, the lumbar spine must be able to stabilize, flex, extend, rotate and sidebend to allow your legs and pelvis to do their job. These questions and more will be answered in the next page. Vertebrae form mobile segments and are difficult to immobilize. The lumbar body is the largest and movement occurs in all directions. The disc sits between the two vertebrae and moves forward with backward bending and backward with forward bending.
Most herniations occur to the back and side because daily activities require bending forward.
There is less support to the segment in this area. The overall structural stability of the lumbar vertebrae is good. Vertebrae are connected to one another by ligaments and muscles. The segment receives its nutrition through pumping muscles. Standing or sitting for long periods starves the segment of its blood flow and nutrition.