Neurology and Chiropractic

There is a deep relationship with Chiropractic and Neurology (the nervous system) – and it is honestly quite amazing. I am hoping this read will give you a crash course on the nervous system and insight into how your #awesome chiropractor is affecting it! First, there are three main types of nerve fibers in the human body: sensory fibers, motor fibers, and autonomic fibers. Each type of nerve fiber plays a specific role in the proper functioning of the nervous system.

Sensory fibers are responsible for transmitting sensory (aka: “feeling”) information from the body to the brain. This includes information about touch, temperature, pain, and other sensations. Sensory fibers are divided into two main categories: afferent fibers, which carry sensory information to the brain (“feeling” fibers), and efferent fibers, which carry sensory information away from the brain – usually to cause an “effect” somewhere in the body. (This is pictured in the infographic above, provided by Osmosis.org) Afferent fibers are further divided into three subcategories: somatic afferents, which transmit signals from the skin and skeletal muscles; visceral afferents, which transmit “function” signals from internal organs; and proprioceptive afferents, which transmit “location” signals from joints and muscles.

Motor fibers are responsible for transmitting motor (aka: “movement”) signals from the brain to the muscles. These signals tell the muscles to contract, allowing us to move our bodies. Motor fibers are also divided into two main categories: somatic motor fibers, which control the voluntary movement of the skeletal muscles, and autonomic motor fibers, which control the involuntary movement of the smooth muscles and glands – like your heart muscles and skin! Autonomic motor fibers are further divided into two subcategories: sympathetic motor fibers, which increase heart rate and respiration rate during stressful situations; and parasympathetic motor fibers, which decrease heart rate and respiration rate during relaxing situations.

Autonomic fibers are responsible for transmitting signals that control the body’s involuntary (aka: “automatic”) functions, such as the heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure. The autonomic nervous system is divided into two main branches: the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS), which controls the body’s fight-or-flight response; and the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS), which controls the body’s rest-and-digest response. The SNS is responsible for increasing heart rate and respiration rate during stressful situations; while the PNS is responsible for decreasing heart rate and respiration rate during relaxing situations.

Overall, the different types of nerve fibers play a vital role in the functioning of the entire nervous system on a daily basis. They allow us to sense and respond in a variety of ways by sending signals between our environment to our brains and bodies. Without them we would be unable to interact with our environment in any meaningful way. Your chiropractor works to find areas within your spine that are affecting your nervous system, via segmental dysfunction or interference. Once the area is adjusted it can start to express its fullest capacity and heal! Now share this post with someone who would think this is AWESOME!