Objective To investigate the pathological mechanism of spinal injury by axial compression experiment on animal spine, so as to provide references for the treatment, prevention and research of spinal injury. Methods The biomechanical study of rabbit spine segments was performed by axial segment compression experiment. The compression process was recorded and strain analysis was performed by digital image correlation (DIC) technology. Results From the top to the bottom of the spine, the ultimate load and bearing capacity of the segment increased continuously; the average limit load of the corresponding single vertebral body was significantly larger than the segment; the strain of the intervertebral disc in the horizontal and vertical directions was significantly larger than that of the upper and lower vertebral bodies. Conclusions In the process of spine compression, the bearing capacity of the intervertebral disc should be taken into account and the injury of spinal segments is mainly manifested as abnormality of the intervertebral disc. The research findings contribute to the prevention and treatment of spinal compression fractures, as well as the design of related therapeutic instruments and assistive devices.