Time to Bone Up! 10 Interesting Bone Facts About Our Skeletal System


Posted by Dr. Scott Wilson | 14-Aug-2019

When it comes to our health, the skeletal system isn’t something we think much about. But bones are a crucial part of the human body — the same way that wood and bricks are to a house. A strong skeletal system gives you the power and stability you need to do a number of tasks, everything from running a marathon to giving birth. 

At Physiomed, we’re always giving bones the attention they deserve. After all, strong bones are key to a long life and continued mobility — especially during old age. But it’s occurred to us that many of our patients don’t know much about their skeletal system, even though it’s the foundation to good health. That’s why we’ve dedicated an entire blog post to some fun facts about your bones. 

 

1. You have more than 200 bones in your body.

206 to be exact. Each bone plays a very unique role, allowing the mechanics of your body to work properly. They’re also dependent on one other. So if one of these bones is broken or fractured, the bones around it won’t function correctly. 

 

2. The body has two types of bones. 

We usually imagine our bones to be made of hard, dense material. But in reality, only one type of bone is like this. It’s known as cortical bone, and is primarily found in the ‘structure’ bones. The second type is the trabecular bone, which is spongy and soft. It’s often found inside the larger bones, as well as the pelvis, ribs and skull. 

 

3. Bones are filled with a spongy material. 

You’ve heard of bone marrow, right? This spongy substance is found inside large bones, such as your hips, femur and pelvis. Bone marrow stores stem cells, which are responsible for producing crucial blood, brain and heart cells. 

 

4. A newborn has 300 bones.

Earlier we told you that humans have 206 bones. But it’s not that bones disappear as we grow older. Instead, they fuse together. There are good reasons why nature doesn’t allow certain bones to fuse during the baby stage. An example of this is the skull. A newborn’s cranium bones aren’t fused so the skull can be soft and moldable, allowing the baby to pass through the birth canal. Another example is the leg and arm bones. These bones don’t fuse until the baby is much older, allowing for reduced injury when he or she falls over. 

 

5. Babies don’t have kneecaps.

Ever wonder why babies can crawl around without seemingly hurting their knees? It’s because they don’t have kneecaps. Also known as the patella, kneecaps don’t actually appear until 2-6 years of age. 

 

6. More than half your bones are in your hands and feet. 

You’d think most of your bones are located somewhere in your torso and legs. But your hands and feet actually contain many of them. One hand alone has 27 bones. 

 

7. Your teeth are stronger than your bones. 

Hard to believe those pearly little whites are so tough, but it’s true. Bones are strong, but teeth are even stronger. The enamel on your teeth, which are also considered part of the skeletal system, can endure more wear-and-tear than any other bone in your body. 

 

8. Bones have the ability to heal naturally 

Many people believe that a cast is what fixes a broken bone, but that’s not true. When you break a bone, the body will immediately work to heal it. It’ll do this by producing new bone cells — without external interference. A cast or brace just ensures the bone heals straight. 

 

9. You can eat your way to stronger bones with the right diet. 

Certain foods are very effective for increasing bone strength. A calcium-rich diet with lots of dairy, broccoli, salmon and beans are excellent for building stronger bones. Couple this with regular weight-bearing exercise, and you’re almost guaranteed strong bones into old age. 

 

10. Evel Knievel holds the record for most bones broken.

American stunt performer Evel Knievel probably knows a lot about bones — considering he’s broken so many of them. According to the Guinness Book of World Records: By the end of 1975, this world-renowned daredevil had suffered a total of 433 fractures! 

Healthy bones are the key to a long and active life. Physiomed can help you maintain a strong skeletal system through customized treatment programs. A nutritious diet and prescribed exercise are key to promoting excellent bone health. Whether you suffer from osteoporosis or need rehab for a broken leg, the healthcare professionals at Physiomed can help. 
For more information on bone health or to book an assessment, contact us here.


Dr. Scott Wilson

Dr. Scott Wilson is the Founder & Chairman of Physiomed; one of Canada’s largest franchised networks of inter-disciplinary healthcare clinics. A graduate of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Dr. Wilson founded Physiomed in 1994 and has since grown Physiomed to over 30 clinics in Southern Ontario and British Columbia. With hundreds of practitioners from over a dozen disciplines, Dr. Wilson and Physiomed have helped over 100,000 Canadians with physiotherapy, chiropractic, massage therapy, orthotic therapy, compression therapy and clinical conditioning as part of a program of rehabilitation and health optimization. In addition to helping patients improve their physical and mental well-being, Dr. Wilson has also mentored hundreds of practitioners to provide better care while enjoying more fulfilling careers. He is also a keynote speaker on many health related topics including how physiotherapy, chiropractic and health & wellness treatment can help with stress, weight loss, and unlocking the true potential within to achieve lasting physical well-being.

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