Subluxations in which part of the spine can trigger stomach troubles:
- cervical
- thoracic
- lumbar
- sacral
Answer: Thoracic
The spine has 12 nerve roots (T1-T12) on each side of the spine that emerge from the thoracic vertebrae. Each nerve originates from below each corresponding thoracic vertebrae. Branches exit the spine where they control motor and sensory functions of organs and glands in the head, neck, thorax and abdomen.
Each thoracic nerve root exits the spinal canal through a bony hole, an intervertebral foramen. This bony hole is formed by two adjacent vertebrae, and its size and shape can slightly shift as the vertebrae move.
The motor and sensory functions provided by a thoracic nerve root are determined by its vertebral level. While these functions can slightly vary from person to person, they typically are as follows:
- T1 and T2 feed into nerves that go into the top of the chest, arm and hand.
- T3, T4, and T5 feed into the chest wall and aid in breathing.
- T6, T7, and T8 can feed into the chest and/or down into the abdomen.
- T9, T10, T11, and T12 can feed into the abdomen and/or lower in the back.
How Thoracic Nerves Can Become Painful
If any of the thoracic nerves become inflamed, such as from a thoracic herniated disc or a narrowing of the foramen, thoracic radiculopathy can develop. Symptoms of pain, tingling, numbness, and/or weakness radiating along the nerve root.
Chiropractic adjustments alleviate thoracic nerve root pain and symptoms and maintain a healthy spine!