Human Muscles and Spine Research

The human muscular system is integral to maintaining spinal integrity and, by extension, supporting the health and wellness of an individual, regardless of age. Muscles in the human body essentially control all movement, though they are controlled themselves by the nervous system, and the spine is critical to a wide range of bodily movements. The following, brief inquiry explores the functions of the muscular system as they relate to the maintenance and jeopardization of spinal integrity.

Brief Overview of the Human Muscular System

Essentially the contractile tissues affecting the movement of and within the body, muscles are classified according to their specific function and structure ("Muscle"). In most animals including human beings, muscles can be striated, smooth, or cardiac. Striated muscles, or skeletal muscles, appear to be striped when viewed under a microscope, with most beings having control over these types of muscles. Smooth muscles, conversely, are not generally controlled voluntarily, as they are regulated by the autonomic nervous system ("Muscle"); these muscles are not striated and line blood vessels, digestive and genital tracts, and hair follicles. The speed of contraction in smooth muscles is slower than that of skeletal muscles, though they can be contracted longer. Finally, cardiac muscles are striated in appearance like skeletal muscles but are involuntarily controlled. Cardiac muscles are only found in the heart, and the rate of contractions is regulated by the autonomic nervous system ("Muscle").

With respect to spinal integrity, the skeletal muscles are of the utmost importance since they can be controlled. Attached to the skeleton by tendons that generally act as flexors and extensors, such as the flexor of the biceps and the extensors of the triceps, skeletal muscles provide the strength, balance, and posture for the body to move ("Muscle"). When there is little attention afforded to proper alignment of the spine and its surrounding skeletal muscles, however, a range of issues can arise including back pain, swelling, and other injuries.

Spinal Integrity, Movement, and the Muscular System

Much of human movement is believed to be intuitive, and there is little to no emphasis on movement education during elementary school (Oliver 24). Human beings learn how to move by modeling their parents, through genetically inherited restrictions and limitations, and through experience (Oliver 24). Postural habits that are poor can jeopardize spinal integrity for a lifetime, and many of these are formed during an individual's early years or because of a sedentary lifestyle (Oliver 24).

Intentional, muscular balance that emphasizes proper alignment of the spine can be invaluable to promoting the long-term health and wellness of the individual. The balance of the core, stabilizing muscles, including the psoas and the abdominals, demands that they be both strengthened as well as lengthened; the balance is then between power and flexibility (Oliver 25). In her article entitled "Alignment in Early Movement Education," Oliver writes "in the upright bipedal position, gravitational forces are imposed upon every joint... Gravity pulls the hip toward flexion, adduction, and inward rotation, which requires a constant state of contraction by the hip extensors, abductors, and external rotators. Finally, the spine is pulled toward flexion and must be balanced by spinal extension" (25). The efficiency of the human machine, however, demands an accurate sense of proper skeletal muscle alignment that erodes over time and with poor postural habits.

Ideally, the muscular system can align with a minimal degree of purposeful, muscular recruitment, as this essentially frees up more energy for more complex movements (Oliver 26). However, the muscular intuition of a human being is not necessarily dependable, as there is a subjective perception of what is comfortable and what is not, with positions perceived as comfortable, such as seated with a rounded, kyphotic spine not necessarily beneficial. Habits and environmental conditions such as a sedentary professional world render one accustomed to an incorrect position even though it creates bodily stress (Oliver 26).

When there is a muscular imbalance, such as little strength or flexibility or too much of one or the other, in an individual's spine, more energy is required to complete what should be fairly effortless activities such as standing or bending forward (Oliver 26). The rest of the bodily system then is forced to compensate for the lack of spinal integrity and this compromises joints, other muscles, and alternative aspects of the human machine. Overall, function is lessened considerably by a lack of spinal integrity.

Recommendations and Conclusions

The key to promoting spinal integrity with respect to the muscular system is to essentially educate the muscles that promote proper alignment. Just as the muscles learn poor habits, they can learn beneficial habits. Oliver writes in her aforementioned article that "alignment should be addressed as a skill like any other. The work can be as simple or sophisticated as specific learning environments enable. A logical place to start is with the point of contact with the earth" (26). When feet are improperly aligned, such as by contracting the ankle muscles when standing, complex postural problems such as chronic pronation result; thinking of the foot as a tripod of sorts, with the big toe, little toe, and heel the points of contact during standing movements, can autocorrect a range of postural problems related to standing, lifting, and other movements unrelated to the seated position. For postural problems emerging from the sedentary lifestyle, cultivating abdominal strengths and awareness of the psoas muscle is critical to combating kyphosis. Studies suggest that spinal integrity may be the foremost influence on healthy movement, and the muscular system is intimately related to spinal integrity (Granata, Slota, and Wilson 81).

Works Cited

"Muscle." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. 2009.

Granata, Kevin P., Greg P. Slota, and Sara E. Wilson. "Influence of Fatigue in Neuromuscular Control of Spinal Stability." Human Factors 46.1 (2004): 81-91.

Oliver, Suzanne. "Alignment in Early Movement Education Remembering What We Know: Awareness of Proper Alignment Can Improve Students' Movement Skills and Lessen the Risk of Injury." JOPERD--The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance 80.3 (2009): 24-41.

The human digestive system is a complex union of a range of organs that promote the assimilation of ingested food and regulate the elimination of waste products ("Digestive"). Most animals have a digestive system that centrally embodies the gastrointestinal tract that extends from mouth to anus. The digestive system essentially converts food into a usable form that can be distributed and utilized by the other bodily systems, in particular the circulatory system ("Digestive"). A range of issues can impede the optimal functioning of the digestive system, however, birthing significant problems and barricading the health and wellness of the individual. In the twenty-first century, stress is a considerable problem for an unfortunate number of individuals, and the digestive system can manifest stress in the form of ulcers. The following inquiry (written in the form of academic research) explores the functioning of the digestive system as it relates to the formation of stomach ulcers.

Brief Overview of the Human Digestive System

Digestion begins as soon as food is placed into the mouth where it is chewed, reducing it to a finer texture and becoming moist through the saliva ("Digestive"). During mastication, starch begins to be converted into simple sugars as well via the salivary amylase enzyme. After the food is swallowed, it passes through the pharynx and down through the esophagus to the stomach ("Digestive"). Cells within the stomach then secrete digestive enzymes which further break down the food. Concurrently, the stomach churns and mixes the food while the pepsin enzyme acts on the food's proteins. Additional enzymes work on fats and sugars, before the food is passed on again to the duodenum, or the initial section of the small intestine ("Digestive").

Enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver then act on the food in order to break down the fats, starches, carbohydrates, and proteins ("Digestive"). The food is absorbed into the circulatory and lymphatic systems through the villi, or tiny tubes in the intestinal wall. Material that has not yet been digested that passes into the large intestine where the water is absorbed and the solid material is excreted through the anus ("Digestive").

The Digestive System and Ulcers

Peptic ulcers are small lesions in the stomach lining or small intestine that can cause excruciating pain if not treated (Fenner 20). Though an overwhelming number of ulcer sufferers are men, at approximately seventy percent, women and children can suffer from peptic ulcers as well. Millions of Americans suffer from ulcers annually, and they can be life-threatening in rare cases (Fenner 20).

Pepsin, the aforementioned enzyme used to digest food in the stomach, is secreted, ideally, only when it has food upon which to act. When pepsin is either over-secreted or the stomach lining can no longer withstand erosion from the enzyme, the lining is damaged by the corrosive nature of pepsin (Fenner 20). Classified as either duodenal or stomach according to the place of formation, ulcers are more frequently problematic in smokers and alcoholics. Additionally, aspirin is strongly linked to the development of ulcers, as are drugs for arthritis.

Stress is a salient contributor to ulcers' development as well, though there is no definitive correlation between a particular personality type or working environment and the development of ulcers (Fenner 20). Studies have, however, linked stressful events with the development of peptic ulcers. After the ulcer is developed, certain foods can exacerbate ulcer pain.

Some foods such as soda, beer, and coffee stimulate the production of stomach acid and also travel rapidly through an empty stomach; these can be somewhat buffered by drinking milk but not entirely. The most frequent recommendations for ulcer sufferers are to eat frequently in order to keep the stomach acid from acting on the stomach lining, and avoid foods that stimulate acid production. Ulcers can heal with time, but can also lead to internal bleeding in ten to twenty percent of ulcer patients.

Usually, the first warning sign of a bleeding ulcer is dark, tar-like stool. There may also be vomiting of blood, faintness, or sudden collapse due to anemia. In five percent of patients, the ulcer will eat all the way through the stomach wall, allowing digested food and bacteria to spill onto the abdominal cavity and cause infection. Surgery is almost always mandated in these severe cases, and, in the absence of treating, they can prove fatal.

Ulcer Prevention and Conclusions

Animal fats, stress, and acidic drinks are known contributors to the formation of ulcers (Modeland 15). Alcoholism, smoking, and family history of ulcers are also significant supporters of the condition that also prevent treatment efficacy. The overall maintenance of digestive health is paramount in preventing the formation of ulcers as well as supporting the overall well-being of the individual. Nutritional knowledge has come a long way during the twentieth century, and much is now known regarding how poor eating practices can foster a myriad of health issues.

In supporting human health and wellness, the digestive system is integral to all other bodily systems. Stomach ulcers can be detrimental to one's health, and they are relatively difficult to heal. Most often, ulcers begin silently and with little pain, only to develop into a serious problem. By cultivating healthy eating practices, preferably at an early age, and decreasing overall levels of stress through medication or yoga, an individual can counter ulcers before they develop.

Works Cited

"Digestive System." The Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed. Questia. Web Research.
Fenner, Louise. "When Digestive Juices Corrode, You've Got an Ulcer." FDA Consumer July-Aug. 1984: 20-31.
Modeland, Vern. "Ulcers: Screaming or Silent, Watch Them with Care." FDA Consumer June 1989: 14-21.