Spine Education

Nerve roots in the thoracic vertebrae affect these parts of the body:

T1 – head, neck, heart, thyroid, esophagus, trachea, hands, elbows
T2 – head, neck, heart, lungs, upper arms
T3 – head, neck, heart, lungs, chest, upper arms
T4 – head, neck, heart, lungs, gallbladder, upper arms
T5 – head, neck, heart, liver, esophagus, blood circulation, upper arms
T6 – esophagus, stomach, spleen, pancreas, duodenum, mid-back
T7 – stomach, spleen, pancreas, duodenum, liver, gallbladder, mid-back
T8 – stomach, spleen, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, adrenal glands, mid-back
T9 – stomach, spleen, pancreas, adrenal glands, gallbladder, reproductive organs, liver, small intestine
T10 – stomach, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, reproductive organs, appendix, large intestine, legs
T11 – kidneys, reproductive organs, legs, small intestine, large intestine, bladder, adrenal glands, ileocecal valve
T12 – kidneys, reproductive organs, legs, small intestine, large intestine, bladder, upper and lower back, ileocecal valve

Possible Symptoms & Conditions:

• Mid-back Pain
• Respiratory Problems – bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, congestion, difficulty breathing
• Gallbladder Conditions
• Heart Conditions
• Bladder Problems
• Digestive Problems – ulcers, gastritis, stomach problems

Nerve roots in the lumbar vertebrae affect these parts of the body:

L1 – abdomen, reproductive organs, legs, feet, large intestine, bladder
L2 – reproductive organs, legs, feet, large intestine, bladder, appendix, abdomen
L3 – reproductive organs, bladder, prostate, large intestine, legs, feet
L4 – buttocks, legs, feet, prostate, muscles of the lower back
L5 – buttocks, legs, feet, toes, prostate

Possible Symptoms & Conditions:

• Pain / Numbness / Tingling / Stiffness – ankle, calf, foot, knee, legs, lower back
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Gas pain
• Irritable Bowel
• Colitis
• Bladder Problems
• Menstrual Problems

Nerve roots in the sacral region affect these parts of the body:

Sacrum – buttocks, legs, feet, bladder, prostate, reproductive organs, anus

Possible Symptoms & Conditions:

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Bladder Problems
• Menstrual Problems
• Lower Back Pain
• Sciatica
• Pain/Numbness/Tingling/Stiffness – buttocks, hip, legs

Nerve roots in the coccygeal region affect these parts of the body:

Coccyx – anus, rectum

Possible Symptoms & Conditions:

• Rectal Problems