A damping element includes: two spring elements which are coaxial with or parallel to a longitudinal axis and two axially end-side connectors, where the first spring element exhibits a spring rate F, the second spring element exhibits a spring rate f, and the spring rates F and f are different. A device stabilizing adjacent vertebrae, including N pedicle screws or hooks, where N is greater than or equal to 3 and where each pedicle screw or pedicle hook includes a receiving device receiving a longitudinal affixation device and where an element acting as a spring is inserted between two adjacent pedicle screws or pedicle hooks.