The brain and spinal cord are essential to every function that our bodies carry out, whether they are conscious or unconscious. Our spine carries the messages from our brain to every part of our bodies, executing commands and controlling everything from our movement, to our breathing, and our digestion.
Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries. According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, approximately 18, 000 people per year suffer a spinal cord injury in the United States. The most common causes of injury include: Motor vehicle accidents: Most spinal cord injuries occur as a result of a motorcycle or car accident.