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Nerve Root

The spinal cord is a long cable of nerves that extends from the brain to the upper waist area. At every level of the spinal cord, nerves branch off in pairs and travel to various parts of the body. Each point at which nerves branch off the spinal cord is called a nerve root.
There are 31 nerve root pairs that extend off the spinal cord, providing the brain with a communication highway to the rest of the body. This network of nerves makes many things possible such as organ function, the sense of touch, and the ability to move.
While each nerve root is essential for proper bodily function, nerve roots also can be a source of pain and disability. For example, a nerve root can become irritated or impinged as a result of spinal stenosis (an abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal), and this is one of the most common causes of back pain and neck pain.
The pain associated with a nerve root impingement is known as radicular pain. As mentioned previously, one of the most common causes of these impingements is a narrowing of the spinal column called spinal stenosis. Many conditions can cause the spinal column to be too narrow and constricting, such as:
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Facet disease, or osteoarthritis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Bone spurs
- Genetic spinal deformities
- Fractures of the vertebrae
Most cases of spinal stenosis can be treated non-surgically with physical therapy and medication. Sometimes, though, spinal stenosis surgery becomes necessary to help patients regain normal day-to-day function. Fortunately, the surgeons at Laser Spine Institute (LSI) use a variety of minimally invasive, outpatient procedures to create more space for a nerve root to exit the spinal cord, thereby alleviating the pain.
Contact Laser Spine Institute for a free review of your MRI or CT scan and to learn how you can rediscover a life without pain.
Please note: Laser Spine Institute currently does not perform endoscopic procedures on the thoracic spine.




