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• Nerve Roots in the Spine

Nerve Roots in the Spine

Thenerve roots in the spine play a vital role in carrying sensory information from your body to your brain, while transmitting motor impulses from your brain to your body. They’re the first messengers in the elaborate neural network that makes up your peripheral nervous system.

Let’s take a look at specific nerve roots and from which parts of the body they send and receive sensory and motor information. Think about the location of the various regions of the body that correspond to each nerve root so that you can gain a better understanding of how the spinal nerve roots function:

• C7 – relays information to and from your middle finger
• T6 – relays information to and from lower part of your sternum, or breastbone
• T10 – relays information to and from your stomach
• T12 – relays information to and from your lower stomach
• L1-L5 – relays information to and from your legs
• S3-S5 – relays information to and from the perineum, or genitals

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One anterior and one posterior root form pairs through the entire length of the spinal column, for a total of 31 levels of nerve roots in the spine. Due to spinal disorders, spine injuries, spinal tumors, birth defects, or through the normal aging process, nerve root structures may become the source of pain in any part of your body if spinal tissues compress or “pinch” the nerve. Tingling, numbness, pain, weakness – all these symptoms are signs of neural compression.

If you are suffering from compression of nerve roots in the spine, first talk to your doctor about managing the pain. He or she may suggest conservative treatment options, such as pain medication, steroid injections, or massage. However, these therapies may not prove effective for every individual. If your spine pain becomes chronic, meaning that it lasts for three or more months despite treatment, contact Laser Spine Institute (LSI) to learn about minimally invasive, endoscopic spine procedures. Our outpatient procedures are a welcome alternative to the risks and lengthy recovery periods of traditional surgery. Contact LSI today for a review your MRI or CT scan, completely free of charge.

Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.