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Parasympathetic Nervous System

The parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) are the two subsystems that make up the autonomic nervous system. These systems basically control the reflexive, involuntary actions of your body such as pupil dilation, heart rate, digestion, saliva production, blood vessel size, sweating, and other involuntary actions of the body’s organs.

The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system work in conjunction with each other to help the body respond to various situations. While the sympathetic nervous system is devoted to quick response stress signals – such as responding to life-or-death situations – the parasympathetic nervous system deals with less immediate situations such as digestion and eye tearing. Distinguishing the sympathetic nervous system from the parasympathetic nervous systems is easy if you think of them in this way:

• Parasympathetic – “rest and digest” or “the brake” when situations are normal and calm
• Sympathetic – “fight or flight” or “the accelerator” when situations are stressful

The parasympathetic nervous system resides in the brain and sacrum – specifically the S-2, S-3, and S-4 vertebrae – at the end of the spine. Problems with the parasympathetic nervous system are serious and can result in the following symptoms:

• Digestive difficulty
• Inability to breathe properly
• Heightened or lowered blood pressure
• Heart problems

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Spinal conditions such as foraminal stenosis, spinal stenosis, bulging discs, herniated discs, and spinal arthritis can cause dysfunction that seems to affect the body’s entire nervous system. At first, a physician may recommend conservative treatments to reduce strain on nerve tissue, such as physical therapy, pain medication, or anti-inflammatory medications.

Laser Spine Institute (LSI) provides a more effective and long-lasting alternative to these traditional treatments. Our award-winning surgeons can help you rediscover a life without pain by using minimally-invasive, endoscopic procedures to release spinal nerves from entrapment. Contact LSI today to learn more about conditions affecting the spinal nerves, and for a free review of your MRI or CT scan.

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