Understanding the Body’s Communication System
We talk a lot about “nerve health,” but what does that actually mean?
Your nervous system is your body’s communication network. Every second of every day, your brain, spinal cord, and nerves are sending messages back and forth, helping you move, feel, react, and respond to what’s happening around you.
You usually don’t notice any of this communication happening. You simply reach for your coffee, feel the temperature of the shower, take a walk, or adjust your balance when you step off a curb. Behind each of those seemingly simple actions is a nervous system working constantly to keep your body connected and responsive.
Your Body’s Communication Network
The nervous system can be thought of in two main parts. Your central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, while your peripheral nervous system includes the nerves that branch out from the spinal cord and travel throughout the rest of the body.
Together, they allow information to travel in both directions.
When you touch something hot, sensory nerves carry that information toward your brain and spinal cord. Your nervous system processes the message and sends instructions back to the muscles that help you pull your hand away.
That exchange happens incredibly quickly, and similar communication is taking place throughout your body all day long.
Your Nerves Do More Than Help You Feel
We often think about nerves in terms of sensation, especially when someone experiences numbness or tingling. But sensation is only part of their job.
Your nerves also play an important role in:
- Movement: Carrying signals from the brain to the muscles so you can walk, lift, reach, and move.
- Sensation: Helping you detect touch, pressure, temperature, pain, and changes in your environment.
- Balance and coordination: Giving your brain information about where your body is in space and helping your movements stay coordinated.
- Automatic functions: Supporting processes your body handles without you consciously thinking about them, including heart rate, digestion, and other internal functions.
Even a simple walk around the neighborhood requires your nervous system to coordinate sensation, muscle activity, balance, and movement with every step.
What Happens When Nerve Communication Is Disrupted?
When a nerve isn’t functioning as it should, the messages traveling between the brain and body may be affected.
Depending on the nerve and what is causing the problem, someone might notice sensations such as tingling, numbness, burning, unusual sensitivity, weakness, or changes in balance and coordination.
Occasional symptoms can happen for plenty of reasons. We’ve probably all experienced the temporary pins-and-needles feeling that comes from sitting in an awkward position for too long. But symptoms that are persistent, recurring, or worsening are worth paying attention to.
Rather than simply ignoring those signals, it can be helpful to think of them as information your body is giving you.
Supporting Your Nervous System
There isn’t one single habit that determines nerve health. Like most things in the body, the nervous system benefits from taking care of your overall health.
Regular movement helps keep the body active and supports healthy circulation. A balanced diet provides nutrients the nervous system needs to function normally. Quality sleep gives the brain and body time to recover. Managing stress, staying hydrated, and addressing musculoskeletal issues can all be pieces of the bigger picture as well.
Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine, movement, and nervous system. Depending on an individual’s needs, care may include chiropractic adjustments, exercises, lifestyle recommendations, and other supportive therapies.
Keep Moving, One Step at a Time
This month at Back in Balance, we’re putting a little extra attention on nerve health and the many ways our nervous system helps us experience and move through the world.
It’s also one of the reasons we’re walking our way across Western North Carolina together with our 500-mile office challenge. Every walk counts, whether it’s a long hike, a loop around the neighborhood, or a few extra minutes of movement during your day.
If you’ve been experiencing persistent numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, or changes in the way you move or feel, bring it up at your next visit. We’re always happy to talk through what you’re noticing and help determine what your next steps may be.