Why Again Should I Avoid Bending and Twisting?

Why Again Should I Avoid Bending and Twisting?

 

 

Unless you live under a rock, everyone has heard not to bend and twist, especially when attempting to lift something off the ground.  But why?  What really happens to our backs that makes this such a "no-no?"  Here is a quick explanation. 

 

Below is a picture of our intervertebral disc...

If you look carefully at the annulus fibrosis, you can see that the fibers run in oblique angles, alternating directions with each layer.  Half of the fibers resist rotation to the right, while the other half resist rotation left.  All of the fibers resist flexion and extension.  But when you combine flexion with rotation to one side or the other side, only half of the annulus fibers provide protection of the nucleus, while the other half does not.  Doing this motion enough times will very likely cause a bulge or herniation of the nucleus pulposus.