You’ve probably heard the saying “Put your back into it.” It’s good advice because your back provides your body with strength and functionality. But be careful not to push your back too hard—your spine is incredibly important. The spine is arguably one of the most fascinating parts of the human body, and taking good care of it is crucial. While spine specialists can help if you have issues, it’s better to avoid situations that could harm you in the first place. Here are some interesting facts about your spine:

As you grow, your body naturally loses a few vertebrae. It might seem like magic, but it isn’t. When you’re born, you have 33 vertebrae. By the time you’re an adult, you only have 26. This happens because different vertebrae fuse together to form your tailbone and the back of your pelvis.

Your spine is a complex structure, which explains why only specialists should treat back problems. It consists of numerous parts: 120 muscles, 220 ligaments, and 100 joints, all working together to support and move your body.

Interestingly, you get taller in space. As an astronaut, you could grow up to 2 inches taller while in the absence of gravity because the cartilage in your spine expands. When you return to Earth, you’ll eventually shrink back to your normal height. On the ground, gravity compresses our spines, making us slightly shorter after the age of 40, in addition to other factors like osteoporosis. But cheer up—you’re a bit taller in the morning than at night!

Back injuries are the second most common cause of pain in adults, right after headaches. They are also the leading reason people miss work due to disability. That’s why it’s so important to be cautious when lifting items and to take time for proper stretching. The spine is both fascinating and incredibly important, so everyone should do their best to take proper care of their backs.