Areas of the Body that the Spine Controls

The spine is divided into five sections:
(Click on a region to see the areas of the body controlled by that region of the spine.)

Each section is made up of individual bones, called vertebrae. Each vertebra plays a vital role in regulating different parts of the body because of the nerves which exit the spine at that vertebra. See below for a list of each vertebra and the:

  1. body parts it regulates, and
  2. the possible symptoms when that vertebra is misaligned.

Cervical Spine (C1-C7 Vertebrae)

The Cervical spine is made up of 7 vertebrae (known as C1 – C7) that form the neck. The top two bones are known as the Atlas and the Axis. They allow for rotation and tilting of the head.

The C1 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Brain
  • Pituitary gland
  • Inner and middle ear

Possible symptoms of a misaligned C1:

  • Headaches
  • Nervousness
  • Insomnia
  • Head colds
  • High blood pressure
  • Dizziness
  • Chronic tiredness

The C2 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Eyes
  • Sinuses
  • Tongue

Possible symptoms of a misaligned C2:

  • Sinus problems
  • Allergies
  • Earaches
  • Fainting spells

The C3 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Outer ear
  • Teeth
  • Trifacial nerve

Possible symptoms of a misaligned C3:

  • Neuralgia
  • Neuritis

The C4 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Nose
  • Lips

Possible symptoms of a misaligned C4:

  • Hay fever
  • Runny nose
  • Adenoids

The C5 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Neck glands
  • Vocal cords

Possible symptoms of a misaligned C5:

  • Laryngitis
  • Hoarseness
  • Sore throat

The C6 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Neck muscles
  • Shoulders
  • Tonsils

Possible symptoms of a misaligned C6:

  • Stiff neck
  • Upper arm pain
  • Tonsillitis
  • Chronic cough

The C7 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Thyroid gland

Possible symptoms of a misaligned C7:

  • Thyroid conditions
  • Colds
  • Bursitis

Thoracic Spine (T1 – T12 Vertebrae)

The Thoracic spine is made up of 12 vertebrae (known as T1 – T12) to which the ribs attach. Since they support more of the body’s weight, they are larger than the cervical vertebrae.

The T1 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Esophagus
  • Trachea

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T1:

  • Asthma
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain in lower arms and hands

The T2 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Heart

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T2:

  • Functional heart conditions
  • Certain chest conditions

The T3 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Lungs
  • Bronchial tubes

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T3:

  • Bronchitis
  • Congestion
  • Influenza
  • Pneumonia
  • Pleurisy

The T4 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Gallbladder
  • Common bile duct

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T4:

  • Gallbladder conditions
  • Jaundice
  • Shingles

The T5 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Liver
  • Solar plexus

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T5:

  • Liver conditions
  • Fever
  • Blood pressure problems
  • Poor circulation

The T6 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Stomach

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T6:

  • Nervous stomach
  • Indigestions
  • Heartburn
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Gastroesophageal reflux

The T7 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Pancreas
  • Duodenum

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T7:

  • Ulcers
  • Gastritis

The T8 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Spleen

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T8:

  • Lowered resistance

The T9 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Adrenal

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T9:

  • Allergies
  • Hives

The T10 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Kidneys

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T10:

  • Kidney troubles
  • Hardening of the arteries
  • Chronic tiredness
  • Nephritis

The T11 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Kidneys
  • Ureters

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T11:

  • Skin conditions

The T12 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Small intestines

Possible symptoms of a misaligned T12:

  • Rheumatism
  • Gas pains

Lumbar Spine (L1 – L5 Vertebrae)

The Lumbar spine is made up of 5 vertebrae (known as L1 – L5) forming the lower back.

The L1 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Large intestines

Possible symptoms of a misaligned L1:

  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Colitis
  • Dysentery

The L2 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Appendix

Possible symptoms of a misaligned L2:

  • Cramps
  • Difficult breathing

The L3 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Sex organs
  • Bladder
  • Knees

Possible symptoms of a misaligned L3:

  • Menstrual troubles
  • Bladder troubles
  • Knee problems
  • Bed wetting

The L4 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Lower legs
  • Ankles
  • Feet

Possible symptoms of a misaligned L4:

  • Sciatica
  • Lumbago (lower back pain)

The L5 Vertebra: What does it regulate?

  • Lower legs
  • Ankles
  • Feet

Possible symptoms of a misaligned L5:

  • Poor circulation in legs
  • Leg cramps
  • Swollen ankles
  • Weak ankles and aches

Sacrococcygeal (S1 – S5 and Co1 – Co5 Vertebrae)

The Sacrococcygeal is made up of the Sacrum and the Coccyx. The Sacrum is made up of 5 vertebrae (known as S1 – S5) which are fused together and form the base of the spinal column intersecting the pelvis and supporting the upper body (indicated by the lighter yellow portion in the diagram below).  The Coccyx is made up of 5 vertebrae (known as Co1 – Co5) which are fused together and form the tailbone (indicated by the darker yellow portion in the diagram below).

The Sacrococcygeal is the area of the spine that is the easiest to misalign.   From this area exits the Caudia Equina Nerve Roots (called Equina because the exiting nerves should flow like a horse’s mane) that even with mild compression can cause extreme pain or “numb bum” (pain or numbness when seated for long periods of time), or pain that radiates down the legs.

The S1 – S5 and Co1 – Co5 Vertebrae: What do they regulate?

  • Caudia equina nerve roots
  • Pelvic organs
  • Anus
  • Bladder
  • Bowel
  • Sexual organs

Possible symptoms of a misaligned Sacrococcygeal:

  • Caudia equina nerve root compression
  • Bladder pain and dysfunction
  • Bowel dysfunction
  • Sexual dysfunction