The spine is a long set of bones, also known as vertebrae. These bones link together from the base of your brain down to your lower back or tailbone. The spine is also made up of muscle, tissue, and ligaments that help to physically support your body. Inside this linked set of bones, there is also a spinal cord. This cord holds many nerves that carry messages to and from the brain to the rest of the body. These messages help control how we work; our movement, feeling or sensation, breathing, bladder and bowel function.