C1, the first cervical vertebra, is commonly called the atlas due to its unique position below the skull. In Greek mythology, Atlas was the titan who held the Earth on his shoulders, just like the atlas holds the skull on top of the neck. • Meridians: liver meridian (yin), gallbladder
Also known as epistropheus, the C2 vertebra forms the pivot upon which the first cervical vertebra (the Atlas), which carries the head, rotates. • Meridians: heart meridian (yin), small Intestine meridian (yang)• Connections: eye, optic nerves, auditory nerves, sinuses, mastoid bones, brain, nasal, palette glands, forehead, tongue, ears• Possible problems:
The third cervical vertebra (C3) is in line with the lower section of the jaw and hyoid bone, which holds the tongue in place. • Meridians: kidney-meridian (yin), bladder meridian (yang)• Connections: kidney, bladder, eye, sinuses, nasal and palette glands, ears, face bones, tooth, trifacial nerve, sinus• Possible problems: pain
The fourth cervical vertebra (C4) controls upward shoulder motion and is one of the nerves that controls your diaphragm (the muscle at the bottom of your rib cage that helps you breathe). • Meridians: spleen meridian (yin), stomach meridian (yang)• Connections: eye, sinuses, nasal and palette Glands, nose, sublingual glands,
The fifth cervical vertebra (C5) controls the deltoid muscles of your shoulders and your biceps. It provides sensation to the upper part of your upper arm down to your elbow. • Meridians: lung meridian (yin), large intestine meridian (yang)• Connections: parotid gland, sublingual glands, sub maxillary glands, throat, vocal cords,
The sixth cervical vertebra (C6) controls the extensor muscles of your wrist and is involved in the control of your biceps. It provides sensation to the thumb side of your forearm and hand. • Connections: parotid gland, acromio-clavicular joint, thyroid, tonsils, neck muscles, parotid, sublingual, shoulder• Possible problems: tonsils, croup,
The seventh cervical vertebra (C7) controls your triceps and wrist extensor muscles. It provides sensation to the back of your arm into your middle finger. • Connections: thyroid gland, shoulder, elbow, starno-clavicular joint, thyroid, lungs• Possible problems: diseases of the thyroid gland, colds, goiter, bursitis in the shoulder/elbow, depression, fear
Also known as the tailbone, the coccyx is a triangular bone that consists of 3 to 5 fused segments, the largest of which articulates with the lowest sacral segment. • Connections: rectum, anus• Possible problems: hemorrhoids, itching of anus, pain on sitting
L1 is the top-most lumbar vertebra of the lower back, level with the ninth rib and pyloris of the stomach. The L1 nerve provides sensation to the groin and genital area and helps move the hips. • Meridians: lung-meridian (yin), large Intestine meridian (yang)• Connections: lung, skin. large intestine, inguinal
The second lumbar vertebra (L2) is the lowest vertebral segment that contains spinal cord tissue. It’s located at the lower curvature of the spine and controls knee and hip movements. • Connections: large intestine, appendix, abdomen, upper leg, skin• Possible problems: problems with appendix, stomach cramps, difficult breathing, hyper-acidity, varicose
The third lumbar vertebra (L3) is positioned in the middle of the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back. Due to it’s location, it’s one of the most common sites of herniated discs and other spinal conditions. • Meridians: kidney meridian (yin), bladder meridian (yang)• Connections: bladder, uterus, prostate, kidney, large
The fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) controls knee and hip movement and is approximately even with the top of the hip bone. Sciatica may occur if this vertebra is damaged. • Connections: sigmoid, muscles of the lower back, sciatic nerve, large intestine, bladder, prostate gland• Possible problems: sciatica, lumbago, back aches,
The fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) is the bottom-most lumbar of the lower back. The L5 nerve controls hip, knee, foot, and toe movements. • Connections: rectum, large Intestine, bladder, lower legs, ankles, feet• Possible problems: circulation problems in the legs and feet, weakness in the legs, ankles, and arches, cold
The first sacral vertebra is called S1, which is the first of the five fused vertebrae that make up the sacrum. The sacrum is a triangular bone located at the base of the spine, between the two hip bones, and forms the back wall of the pelvic cavity. Along with
The second sacral vertebra (S2) is the second bone of the sacrum, counting from the top down. It is one of the five individual vertebrae that fuse together to form the sacrum. The sacrum is a triangular bone located at the base of the spine, between the two hip bones,
Located below the S2, The S3 vertebra is the third of five fused vertebrae that make up the sacrum. The sacrum is a triangular bone located at the base of the spine, between the two hip bones, and forms the back wall of the pelvic cavity. The S3 vertebra plays
The S4 vertebra, also known as the fourth sacral vertebra, is one of the five fused vertebrae that make up the sacrum in the human spine. The sacrum is located at the base of the spine, between the two pelvic bones, and forms part of the pelvis. Located below the
The S5 vertebra, also known as the fifth sacral vertebra, is located in the sacrum region below the S4 vertebra and above the coccyx (tailbone). The sacrum is a large triangular-shaped bone at the base of the spine that connects to the pelvis. The S5 vertebra plays an important role
TH1 is the top-most thoracic vertebra of the upper back, below the seventh cervical vertebra (C7). TH1 nerves affect the chest, shoulders, arms, and hands. • Connections: shoulder, arms from the elbows down (including hands, wrists, and fingers), esophagus and traches, neck, lower arms, fingers, parathyroid, carotid, lungs, heart, pulmonary•
TH10 is the tenth thoracic vertebra of the upper back. TH10 nerves affect the abdominal and back muscles, help with balance & posture, and help you cough. • Meridians: kidney meridian (yin), bladder meridian (yang)• Connections: kidney, bladder, bones, small Intestine• Possible problems: kidney problems, nephritis, hardening of the arteries,
TH11 is the eleventh thoracic vertebra of the upper back. TH11 nerves affect the abdominal and back muscles, help with balance & posture, and help you cough. • Meridians: kidney meridian (yin), bladder meridian (yang)• Connections: skin, kidney, urinary tract• Possible problems: auto-intoxication (needs more water, does not drink enough),
TH12 is the twelfth thoracic vertebra of the upper back, above the first lumbar vertebra (L1). TH12 nerves affect the abdominal and back muscles, help with balance & posture, and help you cough. • Meridians: heart meridian (yin), small Intestine meridian (yang)• Connections: heart, small intestine, lymph circulation, ovary, kidney•
TH2 is the second thoracic vertebra of the upper back. TH2 nerves affect the chest, arms, and hands. • Meridians: heart meridian (yin), small Intestine meridian (yang)• Connections: blood vessel, chest, lungs, parotid, carotid• Possible problems: coronary arteries, disruption in thymus, fears, chest pain, functional heart conditions and certain chest
TH3 is the third thoracic vertebra of the upper back. TH3 nerves help control your lungs, diaphragm, and rib cage. • Meridians: lung meridian (yin), large Intestine meridian (yang)• Connections: lung, bronchial tubes, pleura, skin, breast, chest, mammary gland, pulmonary, carotid, lungs, heart, stomach• Possible problems: bronchitis, influenza, grippe, pleurisy,
TH4 is the fourth thoracic vertebra of the upper back. TH4 nerves help control your lungs, diaphragm, and rib cage. • Meridians: liver meridian (yin), gallbladder meridian (yang)• Connections: gallbladder, common duct• Possible problems: gallbladder conditions, jaundice, shingles
TH5 is the fifth thoracic vertebra of the upper back. TH5 nerves help control your lungs, diaphragm, and rib cage. • Meridians: liver meridian (yin), gallbladder meridian (yang)• Connections: liver, blood/circulatory system, immune system, tendons, ligaments, stomach, solar plexus• Possible problems: disruption in liver, low blood pressure, anemia, fatigue, shingles,
TH6 is the sixth thoracic vertebra of the upper back. TH6 nerves affect the abdominal and back muscles, help with balance & posture, and help you cough. • Meridians: spleen meridian (yin), stomach meridian (yang)• Connections: stomach, muscles, pancreas, pancreas• Possible problems: diabetes, digestive problems, too much HCl = ulcer,
TH7 is the seventh thoracic vertebra of the upper back. TH7 nerves affect the abdominal and back muscles, help with balance & posture, and help you cough. • Meridians: spleen meridian (yin), stomach meridian (yang)• Connections: duodenum, pancreas, stomach, spleen• Possible problems: duodenal ulcers, stomach/pancreas/muscle discomfort, diabetes, hiccups, ulcers, gastritis,
TH8 is the eighth thoracic vertebra of the upper back. TH8 nerves affect the abdominal and back muscles, help with balance & posture, and help you cough. • Meridians: spleen meridian (yin), stomach meridian (yang)• Connections: spleen, stomach, blood, muscles, liver• Possible problems: spleen problems, stomach troubles, hiccoughs, weakness In
TH9 is the ninth thoracic vertebra of the upper back. TH9 nerves affect the abdominal and back muscles, help with balance & posture, and help you cough. • Meridians: kidney meridian (yin), bladder meridian (yang)• Connections: kidney, bladder, adrenal gland, adrenal and supra-renal glands.• Possible problems: allergies, hives, nettle rash