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The Nervous System is a complex combination of the Brain, The Spinal Cord and the Sensory Organs throughout the body. The Brain and Spinal Cord make the sub-group of ‘Central Nervous System’ and oversees controlling the body automatically and manually, following extremely fast information-processing and decision-making. The other sub-group, of Sensory Organs and Sensory Nerves, is called the ‘Peripheral Nervous System’ and is tasked with transferring information to and from the CNS in fractions of a second.
One of the most important organs within us is our Brain. Sitting inside the Cranial Cavity, and weighing approximately just 3 pounds, it controls the vast majority of automatic and manual responses. The Brain contains roughly 100 billion neurons, which all play a part in processing information, and converting that into actions such as regulating respiration (your breathing), heart rate, blood pressure and digestion.
The Spinal Cord is almost an extension of the Brain. Starting at the base of the Brain, specifically the Medulla Oblongata, it continues the full length of the Spine before ‘splitting’ (for a lack of better explanation) into a bundle of nerves called the Cauda Equina. The most significant fact concerning the Spinal Cord is its vitality in reflexes. When you accidentally place your hand on a hot surface, the sensory information does not travel the full route to the Brain. Instead, it travels to the Spinal Cord before being processed at an extremely high rate, significantly reducing the response time, forcing your hand off of the surface before more serious damage is done.
Specialized Sensory Nerves can only transfer information one way, either to the CNS or away from the CNS. Those transferring information to the CNS are called ‘Afferent Nerves’. Those transferring information from the CNS are called ‘Efferent Nerves’. There are also nerves, however, which can transfer information to AND from the CNS, in this case they include different types of Axons, easily named Afferent and Efferent Axons.
Unfortunately, there are times when the Nervous System is damaged and cannot be helped (at the moment anyway, hopefully with the development of science we will discover cures). Problems caused by a gradual destruction of the Nervous System include; Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and other alternative Peripheral Neuropathies.
Carpal Tunnel is the most well-known, albeit less severe, neuropathy which can affect the majority of the general population. Carpal Tunnel presents as an ache or pain in the fingers, hand or lower arm, which can impact strength and/or grip strength. Simply explained, this injury is caused by excessive or constant pressure of the nerves which travel the length of the arm. Carpal Tunnel can improve on it’s own, but simple measures like wearing a Wrist Splint, cutting down on activities which compress of vibrate the hand, and, in some cases, painkillers can also improve the condition.
If you still require help with Carpal Tunnel, or would simply like more information concerning the Nervous System and it’s complications, please do get in touch.
Dominic
Dominic.sportstherapist@gmail.com
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