The human spine is a structural marvel, allowing us to stand, bend, twist, and support our body weight.

But despite its strength and flexibility, it remains vulnerable to injury. Whether through sudden trauma or long-term stress, spinal cord injuries can affect mobility, cause chronic pain, and significantly alter someone’s quality of life. Among the many regions of the spine, some are more prone to injury than others.

Understanding which part of the spine gets injured most often helps clarify what causes spinal damage, how it affects the body, and why early diagnosis and treatment matter.

Understanding Spinal Structure

To pinpoint the most commonly injured region of the spine, it helps to review its anatomy. The spine consists of 33 vertebrae divided into five sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccyx.

Each of these sections plays a different role in movement and stability. The cervical spine helps support the head and neck. The thoracic spine protects the chest and anchors the ribs. The lumbar spine bears most of the weight of the body and supports movement in the lower back. The sacral and coccygeal regions form the base of the spine and are fused in adulthood, providing a foundation for the pelvis.

Injuries can occur anywhere along this column, but some areas are clearly more susceptible, especially in high-impact or repetitive-motion situations. The frequency and severity of injury often correlate with the spine’s biomechanical stress points and mobility demands.

Chiropractic care is often sought to relieve pain and improve mobility, especially for spine, neck, and joint conditions. According to a report by Palmer College of Chiropractic:

• 50% of adults in the U.S. have been to a chiropractor as a patient
• 14% of adults say they saw a chiropractor in the last 12 months
• 12% say they saw a chiropractor in the last five years
• 25% say they saw a chiropractor more than five years ago

However, not all experiences with chiropractic adjustments lead to immediate relief. Some patients find that their pain actually worsens after treatment.

A spinal cord injury can be devastating for both the victim and their family members. These injuries can affect mobility and, ultimately, the person’s quality of life. Everything from car accidents to slips and falls can lead to a traumatic spinal cord injury.

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most life-altering injuries a person can suffer. As with any injury, the severity and expected rate of recovery varies widely from person to person, and there are a lot of variables that affect life expectancy in each individual case. Approximately 17,000 new cases of SCI are reported each year in the United States, and the average age at injury is 42 years.

An SCI at any level of the spinal cord can be debilitating and may be either permanent or temporary, but most of those affected will continue to suffer those effects for the rest of their lives.

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most life-altering injuries a person can suffer. What causes most spinal cord injuries? The top causes of spinal cord injury in the U.S. are:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Falls

Other causes of spinal cord injuries will be discussed further below. If you suffered trauma to the spinal cord because of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or wrongful actions, contact Pittman Roberts & Welsh, PLLC to discuss the legal recourse available to you or your loved one.

Injury victims who have been harmed through no fault of their own typically face an uphill battle on their road to recovery. From dealing with medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional anguish, the average injury victim in Mississippi needs a significant helping hand to reach their expected maximum medical improvement.

Maximum medical improvement (MMI) does not necessarily mean that a patient will return to their previous state of health before a serious accident. Many spinal cord injury victims will never reach a point where their condition can be considered comparable to before their injury. A spinal cord injury may affect every facet of a person’s well-being, with one of the biggest concerns often coming down to how a spinal cord injury affects the brain.

Whether considering it from a physical, emotional, or financial stance, seeking medical care is no small undertaking. Patients who require long-term, ongoing treatment for chronic illnesses and injuries understand just how much is at play here. However, one of the biggest barriers often comes down to medical bills.