There are four natural curves in the spinal column. The
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral curvature. The curves,
along with the intervertebral disks, help to absorb and
distribute stresses that occur from everyday activities such as
walking or from more intense activities such as running and
jumping. |Review Date: 9/17/2009| Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.., and C. Benjamin Ma, MD,
Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder
Service, UCSF Dept of Orthopaedic Surgery. The information
provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency
or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A
licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis
and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for
all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for
information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those
other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or
distribution of the information contained herei