What Is The Central Nervous System?

The central nervous system is your body's control center — it is made up of your brain and spinal cord, and it runs almost everything your body does. CNS stands for central nervous system, and you will see it written as the medical abbreviation CNS on imaging reports, referral notes, and accident-injury paperwork. Because the spinal cord travels through the spine, spinal health and nervous system health are closely linked, which is why chiropractic care can play a supporting role in keeping your CNS working the way it should. In this article we cover the central nervous system definition, its parts, what it controls, what happens when it is damaged, and how chiropractic treatment fits in.

For over 48 years, Arrowhead Clinic has been a trusted name in chiropractic care for car accident injuries and pain management, with 18 clinics throughout Georgia and South Carolina providing same-day treatment for auto accident injury victims. We are open 6 days a week, and your first consultation is free.

The nervous system image above shows the central nervous system labeled in blue and the peripheral nerves in gray. If a picture of the nervous system tells you more than a paragraph does, that nervous system diagram labeled at the top is the short version of everything below.

What Does CNS Stand For, and What Does CNS Mean?

If you have searched "what is CNS" or "what is the CNS," the answer is the same: CNS stands for central nervous system. When a doctor writes "CNS" in your chart, that is the CNS medical abbreviation for the brain and spinal cord together — nothing more complicated than that.

People search this a dozen ways — "CNS meaning medical," "CNS stands for medical," "what does CNS stand for in medical terms" — and the answer is the same every time.

A few definitions people search for, in plain language:

• Central nervous system definition: the brain and spinal cord, which take in information, process it, and send instructions back out to the body.
• CNS definition (clinical): the part of the nervous system enclosed and protected by the skull and the vertebrae.
• CNS psychology definition: the same two structures, described in terms of how they drive thought, sensation, emotion, and behavior.
• CNS meaning, in everyday terms: your body's command center and switchboard, wired to everything else. That is the central nervous system meaning most people are after.

The rest of your nerve system — every nerve that branches out beyond the brain and spinal cord — is called the peripheral nervous system. Together, the two make up the whole human nervous system.

What Are the Parts of the Central Nervous System?

The central nervous system has two parts: the brain and the spinal cord.

The central nervous system consists of two organs: the brain and the spinal cord. That is what makes up the central nervous system — everything else is peripheral. So if you are asking what is the central nervous system made up of, or what comprises the central nervous system, the central nervous system is made up of those two central nervous system parts and nothing more.

In CNS anatomy, the human central nervous system is also the only nerve tissue in the body that gets its own bone protection along its entire length. Searches like "central system," "body nervous system," "CNS system," "CNS nervous system," and "CNS central nervous system" all point to these same two organs.

The brain. Traditional central nervous system anatomy divides the brain into three main parts:

• Cerebrum: The largest part of the brain, responsible for higher cognitive functions, sensory processing, and voluntary movement control.
• Cerebellum: Coordinates muscle movements, maintains balance, and plays a role in motor learning.
• Brainstem: Connects the brain to the spinal cord and regulates important functions such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Some anatomy guides count 5 parts of the brain instead of three, adding the diencephalon (thalamus and hypothalamus) and the limbic system. And if you have searched for the "7 main parts of the CNS," that phrasing usually covers the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, diencephalon, spinal cord, meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid.

The spinal cord. The spinal cord is a long, thin bundle of nervous tissue that extends from the brainstem to the lower back. It serves as a conduit for signals between the brain and the rest of the body. When people describe the central nervous system brain and spinal cord pairing as a single unit, this is why — the central nervous system spinal cord pathway is the only route most signals have.

The cells. CNS neurons and neurotransmitters are the basic functional units of the system. Neurons transmit electrical and chemical signals, while neurotransmitters facilitate communication between neurons.

Where is the central nervous system located? The CNS location is entirely along the midline of your body: the brain sits inside the skull, and the spinal cord runs down the spinal canal formed by your vertebrae. That protected position is the reason the central nervous system is composed of the only nerve tissue in the body that gets its own bony armor.

So, to answer the questions people search most often — what structures make up the central nervous system, what organs make up the central nervous system, and what are the components of the central nervous system — the answer to all three is the same two: brain and spinal cord.

What Does the Central Nervous System Do?

What does the CNS do, in one sentence? It takes in information, works out what it means, and sends back a response. Central nervous system function comes down to those three jobs, which is also the answer to "what are the 3 main functions of the nervous system" and to "what are the three main functions of the nervous system":

• Take in information from your senses and from inside your body.
• Process and integrate it in the brain and spinal cord.
• Send instructions back out to your muscles, organs, and glands.

Those 3 functions of the nervous system — input, integration, output — are the main function of the nervous system as a whole, and the CNS is where step two happens. So what is the primary function of the nervous system? Coordination. And the function of the central nervous system specifically is the processing step in the middle — that is the whole function of the CNS in a phrase, and the function of central nervous system tissue at every level.

Whether you search "nervous system main function," "major functions of the nervous system," or "what are the main functions of the nervous system," those three steps are the answer.

What is the central nervous system responsible for day to day? The functions of the central nervous system include:

• Sensory perception
• Movement and coordination
• Cognition, memory, and learning
• Emotion and mood
• Autonomic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion
• Reflexes, some of which the spinal cord handles without involving the brain at all

How does the central nervous system work? Or, put the way most people search it, how does the CNS work in practice? A sensory nerve picks up a signal — heat, pressure, stretch, pain — and carries it to the spinal cord. The signal travels up to the brain, which interprets it and decides on a response. The response travels back down the spinal cord and out to the muscle or organ that needs to act. All of that happens in a fraction of a second, thousands of times a day.

That signaling loop is also what the central nervous system controls without you noticing. What does the central nervous system control on autopilot? Your heartbeat, your breathing rate, your digestion, and your balance.

What Is the Difference Between the Central and Peripheral Nervous System?

The central nervous system is the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is every nerve outside them.

The central vs peripheral nervous system distinction — peripheral vs central nervous system, asked the other way round — is simply one of location:

In a CNS vs PNS comparison, the peripheral side is where most chiropractic complaints actually start. Human nerves exiting between the vertebrae can be compressed or irritated by a misaligned joint, disc, or swollen tissue — and that pressure is felt in an arm or a leg even though the problem sits at the spine.

What Are the Most Common Central Nervous System Disorders?

The most common central nervous system disorders are Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury.

Several central nervous system diseases and injuries can affect how the brain and spinal cord function. Common CNS disease categories include:

Neurodegenerative diseases

• Alzheimer's disease: A progressive disorder that causes memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes.
• Parkinson's disease: A disorder that affects movement, causing tremors, stiffness, and balance problems.

Autoimmune disorders

• Multiple sclerosis: A condition in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerve fibers, leading to vision problems, muscle weakness, and coordination issues.

Injuries

• Traumatic brain injury: Damage to the brain caused by a sudden, external force, resulting in cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms.
• Spinal cord injury: Damage to the spinal cord that can cause paralysis, sensory loss, and other neurological deficits.

In our clinics, car accidents are the most common cause we see behind new nerve symptoms — and the ones patients most often wait too long to have looked at. Car accidents, falls, and sports collisions are among the most common causes of the last two, which is why an accident-injury exam should always include a neurological screen and not just a look at soft tissue.

What Happens If the Central Nervous System Is Damaged?

Because the CNS controls so much, the effects of damage depend entirely on where the damage sits. Common CNS symptoms and warning signs of a damaged central nervous system include:

• Numbness, tingling, or a pins-and-needles feeling in the arms, hands, legs, or feet
• Muscle weakness, dropping things, or a leg that gives way
• Loss of balance, dizziness, or vertigo
• Changes in vision, speech, or swallowing
• Persistent headaches after a head impact
• Confusion, memory trouble, or personality changes
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

The last one, along with sudden severe weakness in both legs or a severe headache unlike any you have had before, is an emergency. Go to an emergency room rather than a chiropractor for those CNS effects.

CNS tissue also heals differently from the rest of the body — nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord regenerate poorly, which is why prevention and early evaluation after an accident matter so much.

How Does Chiropractic Care Support the Central Nervous System?

Chiropractic care supports the central nervous system indirectly — by relieving mechanical pressure and inflammation around the spinal nerves, so signals travel between the brain and body without interference.

To be clear about what it cannot do: a chiropractic adjustment does not repair damaged brain or spinal cord tissue, and no honest chiropractor will tell you otherwise. What it can address is the mechanical side — joints, discs, and soft tissue pressing on nerves.

Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. Chiropractors use various techniques, such as spinal adjustments, to correct misalignments (subluxations) in the spine that can interfere with proper nervous system function.

Chiropractic adjustments may influence the CNS in several ways:

• Reducing inflammation: Misalignments in the spine can cause inflammation, which can irritate nearby nerves. Chiropractic adjustments help reduce inflammation, allowing the nervous system to function more effectively.
• Improving nerve function: Subluxations can compress or irritate spinal nerves, leading to decreased nerve function. Chiropractic adjustments can alleviate this pressure, allowing nerves to function optimally.
• Enhancing brain-body communication: By correcting spinal misalignments, chiropractic care can improve the flow of information between the brain and the body, leading to better overall function and health.

Chiropractic care can also help improve blood circulation throughout the body. How Chiropractors Help Blood Circulation explains the techniques chiropractors use to promote better blood flow, which is essential for maintaining a healthy CNS.

Can a Chiropractor Help With a Pinched Nerve?

Yes. In many cases a chiropractor can relieve a pinched nerve by taking pressure off the nerve root at the spine.

In our clinics, a pinched nerve is one of the most common reasons people book an appointment, and it is a good example of the CNS and peripheral nerves working together. A nerve root leaves the spinal cord, passes between two vertebrae, and gets compressed by a misaligned joint, a bulging disc, or inflamed tissue. The pinch is at the spine; the symptom shows up down the arm or leg.

Questions we get asked most often:

• Can a chiropractor fix a pinched nerve? In many cases, yes. Adjustments, traction, and soft-tissue work aim to take pressure off the nerve root so the irritation settles. A chiropractor for a pinched nerve in the neck, or a chiropractor for pinched nerve pain in the lower back, will start with an exam and imaging before adjusting anything. A pinched nerve in the neck often refers pain into the shoulder and hand; a pinched nerve in the lower back refers it down the leg.
• Can a chiropractor make a pinched nerve worse? It is uncommon when the problem is diagnosed properly first. That is exactly why an exam comes before treatment — some cases need a medical referral rather than an adjustment.
• Can a chiropractor help with sciatic nerve pain? Sciatica is nerve pain that runs from the lower back down the leg, usually from compression at the lumbar spine. A sciatic nerve chiropractor treats the source of the compression rather than masking the pain.
• Can a chiropractor help with nerve pain generally? Often, when the pain traces back to a spinal source. Nerve pain caused by disease, diabetes, or injury to the nerve itself is outside what an adjustment can reach, and we will say so and refer you.
• What about the vagus nerve? "Vagus nerve chiropractor" is a common search, so it is worth answering plainly. The vagus nerve runs from the brainstem down through the neck and into the chest and abdomen. A chiropractor working on the upper cervical spine is working right alongside it, which is why some patients report changes in digestion or sleep after care.

If you are searching for a pinched nerve chiropractor near me, a sciatic nerve chiropractor near me, or a chiropractor for nerve pain anywhere in Georgia, Arrowhead Clinic has 18 clinics with same-day and walk-in appointments.

Should You See a Chiropractor, a Neurologist, or Go to the ER?

Go to the emergency room for sudden or severe symptoms. See a neurologist for progressive neurological disease. See a chiropractor for mechanical spine and nerve-pressure pain.

Use this as a rough guide:

• Emergency room, now: loss of bladder or bowel control, sudden weakness in both legs, a severe headache unlike any you have had, loss of consciousness after a head impact, or trouble speaking or seeing.
• Neurologist: symptoms that are getting steadily worse over weeks or months, tremors, progressive memory loss, or a suspected condition such as multiple sclerosis.
• Chiropractor: neck or back pain, a pinched nerve, sciatica, numbness or tingling in an arm or leg, headaches tied to neck tension, or stiffness and pain after a car accident.

If you are not sure which category you fall into, start with a free consultation. Part of that visit is working out whether chiropractic care is the right treatment for what you are dealing with.

What Conditions Related to the Central Nervous System Can a Chiropractor Help With?

Chiropractic care can be beneficial for managing several conditions tied to nervous system function:

• Headaches and migraines: Chiropractic adjustments can help alleviate tension in the neck and upper back, which can contribute to headaches and migraines.
• Chronic pain: Chiropractors can help manage chronic pain conditions, such as low back pain, by addressing spinal misalignments and promoting proper nervous system function. How Can A Chiropractor Fix Low Back Pain provides insight into how chiropractic care can treat this common condition.
• Vertigo and dizziness: Misalignments in the upper cervical spine can contribute to vertigo and dizziness. Chiropractic adjustments can help restore proper alignment and alleviate these symptoms.
• Numbness and tingling sensations: Compression or irritation of spinal nerves can cause numbness and tingling in the extremities. Chiropractic care can help relieve this pressure and restore proper nerve function.
• Whiplash and post-accident nerve pain: Rear-end collisions strain the neck and the nerve roots that exit it, often with symptoms that surface days later.

How Do You Heal the Central Nervous System?

There is no single treatment that heals the central nervous system, but sleep, nutrition, regular movement, stress reduction, and relieving pressure on the nerves all support recovery.

There is no single switch for healing the central nervous system, but several habits genuinely support recovery and long-term CNS health:

• Nutrition: A balanced diet rich in brain-healthy nutrients — omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and B vitamins — supports optimal CNS function.
• Exercise: Regular physical activity improves brain health by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and supporting the growth of new brain cells.
• Sleep: Adequate sleep is essential, as it allows the brain to rest, repair, and consolidate memories.
• Stress management: Chronic stress has a negative impact on the CNS. Meditation, deep breathing, and yoga help calm the autonomic nervous system.
• Posture and spinal care: Staying active and maintaining good posture reduces the mechanical stress that leads to nerve irritation in the first place.

Tips For A Healthy Spine offers advice on maintaining spinal health through lifestyle changes, ergonomics, and exercise.

How Common Are Central Nervous System Disorders?

According to the World Health Organization, neurological disorders affect up to 1 billion people worldwide. In the United States, the annual cost of treating neurological disorders has been estimated at over $800 billion.

What Do People Ask Most About the Central Nervous System?

What Should You Remember About the Central Nervous System?