The logic and principles of health III –
Therapeutic approaches for the spine

The practical application of the threefold nature of the physical body can be extremely useful for the healthy functioning of the musculoskeletal system. In anthroposophy, Rudolf Steiner speaks of the head pole, which represents, with the nervous-sensory system, the upper reality of human existence, then of the middle in the so-called rhythmic system, which, through respiration and cardiovascular function, is mainly localised in the chest area and lastly of the metabolic-limb system, that shows its particular aptitude when the will life is developed. These are three large systems that interact with one another and influence the most varied conditions of health and illness.

The spine can also be divided into three different sections. The lowest section with the sacrum and the lumbar spine is the stable, strong base, the middle in the thoracic spine is a very flexible, dynamic entity and lastly the cervical spine, with its more finely articulated vertebrae, forms the upper, very sensitive pole. In most restrictions affecting the spine, the middle has too little flexibility, while the lower back is often weakened and the cervical spine with the shoulder girdle tends towards chronic, unpleasant tension. Yoga practitioners often seek relief from back pain through relaxation techniques. However, if the tension in the upper neck area is a result of a weakness in the middle or the lower back, the many relaxation techniques only make a small contribution to healing. Practitioners need to build up a specific activity, usually starting from the middle of the spine, in order to effectively counteract the many tensions and the associated, unphysiological conditions in the body.

For all afflictions related to the spine, although not only for these, but for all other states of weakness, exhaustion and nervous overstimulation, it is beneficial if practitioners start by becoming sufficiently conscious of the threefold articulation of above, middle and below. The process of becoming aware is a first step to healing. It leads to a meaningfully chosen activation of unused potential that ought to exist in the spine in a first instance and furthermore gives an order in the way the body as a whole is organised.

If one only focuses on relaxing the upper spine, when it has become tense and painful, the possibilities that the thoracic spine and a stabilised lumbar spine can offer are overlooked. In the case of a weakened lower back, the upper dimension, which is as if weighed down by depressive feelings or appears endlessly exhausted by intellectual overstimulation, is often ignored. The step of becoming conscious that the three sections of the spine work together in a balancing and mutually complementary way, very often does not happen, which is why many people practise yoga positions and yet are unable to remedy their back problems.

According to a careful consideration of the threefold nature of the spine, with all back problems the middle region should be observed more closely. The thoracic spine can have a balancing effect on both the cervical spine and the lumbar spine. As this region is less affected by herniated discs and pain than its upper and lower neighbours, its importance is often overlooked. However, it is precisely on these areas of the middle that the greatest attention should be focussed, and the approach to building a growing dynamic-strength in this area happens through both flexibility as well as dynamic stability.

This middle of the spine is easiest to locate if those practising pay attention to the 9^th, 10^th and 11^th and possibly the 12^th thoracic vertebrae. This is around the level of the stomach, liver, as well as the kidneys. The upper region with the head, neck and shoulders should become increasingly light and relaxed through natural awareness. Practitioners leave the lower region with the sacrum and lumbar vertebrae as far as possible in a natural state of gatheredness and calm. Under no circumstances should the exercises be directed too much towards the lumbar region if it is weakened by herniated discs or nerve irritation. The middle with its dynamic, ascending activity provides a relief below and an increasing freedom above, which ultimately leads totally naturally to a better relaxation.

For the next consideration, various exercises, as they are carried out in the threefold articulation, in the sense of activating the potential of the middle, will be presented.