Exercise therapy for the spine

The spine includes the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. It is a highly mobile structure made up of vertebrae and discs, as well as the neural structures of the spinal cord and nerves, the cerebrospinal fluid, the meninges and blood vessels. The vertebrae are connected to one another by ligaments, muscles and joints. This complex organisation leads to complex pathology and vulnerability to diseases, conditions and traumatic injuries. Exercise, or exercise therapy, helps these structures recover after illness and injury, and reduces or prevents re-injury and progression of the disease process.