Body Structure As It Relates to Biomechanics & Function - By Dr. Billy David Mohess

Structure is of vital importance to any system, whether it is business, government or institutions, nothing succeeds without proper structure.  So too with our bodies, God had designed our bodies with a unique structure.  Human body parts are structured on each other, one part depends on other parts to ensure proper function.

In order for our physical body to operate, biomechanics come in to play.  Biomechanics are the movements of structures as it relates to function, coordinated movement that is controlled by the central nervous system.

The body, complex as it is can be made simple by breaking down the whole into parts.  The body movement exists around the movement of joints.  The biomechanical movement of the joints gives our bodies the tension and is powered by soft tissue.  Joints are bones that articulate together by connective tissue.  This connective tissue is the key to the movement of the joint, as it causes the ranges of motion that one uses for the function of systems.

In the spine there are twenty four vertebrae these are all connected together by joints.    All joint s are connected by tissue between the joints which is known as cartilage, probably the most important aspect of protection for the joint.  These cartilages are cushions and acts as a washer between the joints; these are delicate structure yet strong and steady.  In between these cartilages passes various structure that crisscross the capsule of the joint, structures such as nerves, blood vessels and other supporting tissues.  The blood vessels are what give the joint the fluidity to be able to move effortlessly.

The entire joint is finally held together by soft tissue known as ligaments.  The ligaments are what uphold the integrity of one bone on the other.  Every joint has its ligament that makes the connection from bone to bone.  The ligaments are now responsible for the movement of the joint.  These ligaments are elastic in nature; they stretch to a point that is called a physiological barrier that is to say, a point to where maximum stretchability is achieved.

Due to the elastic nature of the ligament, they allow its full ranges of motion; therefore we can stretch, jump, climb, bend, and exercise.  All of these movements are achieved due to interconnectivity of the joint.  The ligaments are therefore the key to motion in that they allow us to function without restriction.

The final aspect of the joint is the capsule that encases the entire joint.  There is a type of fascia that gives an overall protection of the joint.  Covering this is our macro muscles which of course along with the nerves power the body for movement.

Since we have seen the importance of the ligament as it relates to the other structure of the joint. It must be realized that the integrity of the joint is based on the strength of the ligaments.

The argument now comes into question, what happens if or when there is an injury or weakness to such a ligament?  Let’s take the spine for example, in a vertebral column the entire spine is held together by ligaments, then the specific vertebrae are held together between each one by ligaments.  These protect the integrity of the disc.  When there is injury such as in an accident, the ligaments after the muscle are the first part of the injury.  Our time these ligaments weaken.  We must remember that ligaments are tensile in structure and are designed for maximum stretchability; it will therefore take a long period for the weakness to develop.  It is over a period of time that this ligament that was injured weakens.  While this process is happening, the bones which the ligament holds together one on the other protecting the cartilage begins to compress.

The compression is a result of everyday pressure placed on our system.  Before the injury the ligament was able to hold their structures together.  However as the ligament gets weaker due to injury, they cannot hold bone on bone any more and thus the bones began closing in on each other destroying the cartilage which in turn leads to a myriad of problem in the breakdown of joints system.

In our next installment of this series, we will begin to address the ramifications of the breakdown of the ligaments and all its implications thereof.  Our article will next look at the break down of the structure and how it affects the biomechanics of the body which in turn affects function.

 
Profile of Dr. Billy David Mohess

Dr. Billy Mohess has been practicing chiropractic in Trinidad and Tobago for the past 17 years.   He specializes in rehabilitative therapy for sporting, industrial, vehicular injuries and debilitating conditions for the spine, joints, muscles and nerves.  Dr.  Mohess cumulative studies and experiences are in Chiropractic, Nutrition, Physiotherapy, Medical Lab, Radiology, Biology, Chemistry and Psychology which has helped him put together rehabilitative programs that have had a high success rate.  He takes a holistic approach in pain management focusing on the cause of the pain. He stands by his words which are helping you to “become pain free”.