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Back Pain: A Problem of Evolution
21 March 2002
Source: Greg Blain - N.D. Naturopath
Man's physical structure reflects similarities and changes that have occurred through evolution. From an anthropological perspective there is a common belief amongst doctors and students of anatomy that man's back problems started when he began walking upright on two legs. Our earliest primordial ancestors moved about on all fours.
Man is a vertebrate ie. he has a backbone. Most animals, which are classed as vertebrates walk on four legs, or like the apes, support their movement using their arms and legs.
In the course of standing erect, the spine once functioning as a beam ( horizontal plane), now had to adapt itself to the disadvantages of becoming a pillar ( vertical plane), in which the spinal discs were now detrimentally placed.
Thus the function of the spinal column, and of weight bearing, and body balance changed entirely. The spine now had to support and balance the whole weight of the head and the upper body, with the lower regions of the spine having to bear a greater weight than before. This in turn, placed a greater strain on the discs and muscular and nervous systems. The discs in acting as shock absorbers, were now more vulnerable if the body suffered any stress, trauma or injury. The body had to constantly battle against the forces of gravity with the inadequacy of only two supports.
A posture variation, which has come with man's ability to stand erect, is 'Sitting.' Without the aid of the arms or external supports, sitting erect placed a tremendous new strain on the lower back region. University studies have shown that the discs in the lumbar-sacral region, the major site of back pain, are subjected to greater pressure when a person is sitting than when he or she is standing.
This may explain why so many people in sedentary jobs suffer with back ailments. Today, we sit more and walk less. Recreation for far too many of us is to sit in front of a computer or television set, or to sit in a car or a plane for long periods of time.
THE EVOLUTION OF MAN into the world of advanced technology HAS CERTAINLY BECOME A PAIN IN THE BACK.
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