The Human Lifeline: The Nervous System

The Nervous System controls everything that we do for survival: walk, talk, breathe, controls all our internal organs, etc. Chiropractors work directly with the nervous system removing any nerve interference coming from any misaligned spinal bones that are putting pressure on the associated nerve roots. When there is no nerve interference on nerve roots, the body can function at full capacity. Today’s blog would give a mini course on the 3 different parts of the nervous system: Central, Peripheral and Autonomic.

The Central Nervous System (CNS)

The CNS is the powerhouse of the nervous system. It consists of both the brain and the spinal cord. The brain sends and receives signals to and from the spinal cord allowing human movement, sensory, reflexes and entire body function. Once signals leave the spinal cord and go out to the body, we are now in the Peripheral Nervous System.

The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The PNS begins once we exit the spinal cord and messages are sent out to the arms and legs for full functioning. The PNS consists of spinal nerves and cranial nerves. We have 12 cranial nerves that have various functions such as sight, smell, hearing, touch and movement of the neck and face. Spinal nerves consist of two different nerves: motor and sensory. Motor nerves allow for human movement while sensory nerves allow for human sensation.

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The ANS controls our internal organ such as the lungs and heart to allow for functions such as breathing, blood circulation, digestion, urination, etc. The ANS has two different responses: Sympathetic and Parasympathetic. These two responses work as a team to regulate organ function and do the opposite. For example: when the heart rate increases, that is a sympathetic response. When the heart decreases, that is a parasympathetic response.

How Can Chiropractors Help?

The better question is “What Can’t Chiropractors Fix? The nervous system controls EVERYTHING that we do! Every chiropractors approach is different, but they all get across the same point. At our office, our job is to get to the root of the problem by getting an accurate health history, thorough examination, high quality x-rays and sitting you down to explain a designed treatment plan that will get you out of pain and give you the health you want. We spend the proper amount of time with each patient to assure we give them the health that they desire. Time is a necessity, but it is well worth the wait! Contact us today!

Science Sources:

Ludwig, Parker E. “Neuroanatomy, Central Nervous System (CNS).” StatPearls. February, 2019.

McCorry, Laurie. “Physiology of the Autonomic Nervous System.” American Journal of Pharmecuetical Education. 2007 Aug 15; 71(4): 78.

Goldstein, B. “Anatomy of the Peripheral Nervous System.” Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 2001 May;12(2):207-36.