Take a moment to think about your spine, the part of your body that supports you every day. It is not just a simple pole—it is a living column made of 33 small bones, called vertebrae. Between these bones are soft, jelly-like cushions called discs, and the whole structure is held together by more than 100 muscles and 200 ligaments. This incredible design was created over millions of years to do one main job: keep a two-legged creature balanced while walking long distances, squatting to gather food, and sometimes carrying a child or food back to camp.
Studies of ancient skeletons show that early humans often walked up to 15 kilometres every day. Surprisingly, they had fewer problems like disc collapse or pinched nerves, which are common today. One reason their spines stayed strong is because they moved constantly. Every step, squat, or bend helped pump fluids in and out of the discs, just like squeezing and refilling a sponge. This movement delivered nutrients to the discs and removed waste, keeping the spine healthy and flexible.
In contrast, modern humans often sit for long hours, which means the discs don’t get enough movement. Over time, this can cause back pain, stiffness, and other spine problems. The human spine was built to move, stretch, and carry weight, not to stay still all day. By understanding this, we can take better care of our backs—through walking, stretching, and staying active—to keep our spines strong, just like our ancestors did.