That notion of lengthening your spine, known clinically as “axial elongation,” relieves pressure from the discs in your back that tend to bear all the weight and pressure. As you know, the intervertebral discs are the connective tissue in your spine that help build, support, and absorb shock. When we lengthen our spines, the everyday forces are more evenly distributed, therefore, our backs are better protected from injury and wear and tear.