A method for distracting two tissue surfaces away from one another within a spine. In one embodiment, the method involves the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of biocompatible and generally rectangular spinal inserts having a generally planar top surface having a leading edge and a trailing edge, a generally planar bottom surface disposed generally parallel to the top surface and including a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a beveled surface extending from at least one of the leading edge of the planar top surface and the leading edge of the planar bottom surface; and (b) successively introducing into a spine the plurality of spinal inserts such that the generally planar top and bottom surfaces are generally parallel to the two tissue surfaces, wherein the beveled surface are configured to allow a currently inserted spinal insert to be positioned at least one of above and below a previously introduced spinal insert to distract the two tissue surfaces.