Because of they way your spine is designed, abnormal spinal function can rub, pinch, irritate, or choke the delicate tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots. While commonly associated with spinal problems, the pinched nerve (compressive lesion) is actually quite rare. Researchers suggest that only 10% to 15% of spinal-related problems are caused by direct pressure of bone on nerve tissue! Sometimes, this problem can result in numbness, burning, or a "pins and needles" feeling. More frequently, nerves are irritated (facilitative lesion) by improperly functioning spinal structures. This is caused when nerve tissue is stretched, twisted, or irritated by malfunctioning spinal curves. Nervous system impairment can affect the tissues, organs, and systems of the body, increasing the susceptibility of disease and ill health.    · Introduction  · Spinal Kinesiopathology  · Neuropathophysiology  · Myopathology  · Histopathology  · Pathophysiology     · REFERENCES · Cailliet, Rene, M.D., Pain: Mechanisms and Management, F.A. Davis Co., 1977. Cyraix, J., M.D., Orthopedic Medicine, Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Lesions, Baillere Tindell, Vol. 1, 1984. Gray, H. 1827-1861, Grays Anatomy, Edited by Peter L. Williams, 37th Edition, Churchill-Livingstone, 1989, Reprinted 1993. Hochschuler, S., M.D., Texas Back Institute, Back in Shape, Houghton Mifflin Company, 1991. Jackson, R., M.D., The Cervical Syndrome, Charles C. Thomas Co., 1977. Kellet, J., Acute Soft Tissue Injuries: A Review of the Literature, Medicine, Science of Sports and Exercise, American College of Sports Medicine, Volume 18, No. 5:489-500, 1986. Kirkaldy-Willis, W., M.D., Burton Charles, M.D., Managing Low Back Pain, 3rd edition, 1993. Leach, R., D.C., The Chiropractic Theories, 2nd Edition, Williams and Wilkins, 1986. Lewit, Karl, MUDr., Doc. Dsc, Manipulative Therapy in Rehabilitation of the Motor System, Butterworth, 1987. Roy, S., M.D., Irwin, R., M.D., Sports Medicine: Prevent, Evaluate, Management, and Rehabilitation, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1983. Schafer, D.C., Faye, D.C., Motion Palpation and Chiropractic Technique, 2nd edition, Motion Palpation Institute, 1990. © 1999 Back Talk Systems, Inc.