Somatic Nervous System: How You Move & Feel

Ever stop to think about how you just know your coffee cup is warm before you even take a sip? Or how your fingers type out a message almost on their own? It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it? That seamless connection between sensing the world and acting within it – that’s largely the work of your somatic nervous system. It’s one of those unsung heroes in our bodies, working tirelessly.

You see, your body has this vast network, the peripheral nervous system, that stretches out from your brain and spinal cord. And the somatic nervous system is a key part of that, almost like the body’s telegraph and muscle-control system all rolled into one.

So, What Exactly is the Somatic Nervous System?

Think of your nervous system as having different departments. There’s the autonomic nervous system, which handles all the automatic stuff – your heartbeat, digestion, breathing when you’re not thinking about it. You don’t consciously control that; it just hums along in the background.

Then there’s the somatic nervous system. This is the part you are generally aware of. It’s all about conscious sensations and voluntary movements. It’s the system that lets you feel the sun on your skin and then decide to reach for your sunglasses.

Its Two Big Jobs

Your somatic nervous system is a real multitasker, but it boils down to two main roles:

1. Sensing the World: Imagine all the information coming in from your senses. The prickle of a wool sweater, the scent of baking bread, the sound of a loved one’s voice. Most of this sensory information (except for sight, which has a direct line to the brain) travels through the somatic nervous system to your brain for processing. For sensations below your neck, these signals zip up your spinal cord first.
2. Making You Move: Every time you decide to walk, wave, or wiggle your toes, that’s your brain sending instructions out through the somatic nervous system to your muscles. It’s like the messenger delivering the command: “Okay, muscles, time to contract!”

Now, it gets a little interesting with internal organs. Mostly, the somatic system helps signal pain from an organ, but sometimes in a roundabout way – what we call referred pain. You might have heard of arm pain during a heart attack? That’s an example. It’s like the wiring gets a bit crossed, and the pain signal shows up somewhere nearby instead of right at the source. Weird, right? And while breathing is usually automatic, you can take control of it, thanks to this system.

A Look at the Somatic Nervous System’s Anatomy

Picture an upside-down tree. Your brain is the root ball, your spinal cord the sturdy trunk. The somatic nervous system? Those are the branches and twigs spreading out everywhere, reaching right to the tips of your fingers and toes, just under your skin.

In your head and neck, it uses what we call cranial nerves. There are 12 pairs, and 11 of them are involved with the somatic system, helping with things like taste, smell, and facial movements. Further down, it connects through 31 pairs of spinal nerves, which then branch out even more. Some nerves are purely sensory, sending info to the brain. Others are motor nerves, carrying commands from the brain.

What’s It Made Of?

This intricate network is built from specialized cells:

• Neurons: These are the stars of the show – the actual nerve cells. They’re like tiny electrical and chemical messengers. Each neuron has a main cell body, a long arm called an axon (often coated in a fatty layer called myelin that helps signals travel faster), and branch-like dendrites that receive signals.
• Glial Cells: Think of these as the support crew for the neurons. They protect them, help them develop, keep the chemical balance right, and even make that myelin coating. There are way more glial cells than neurons!
• Nuclei and Ganglia: These are just terms for clusters of nerve cell bodies that work together. For example, ganglia in your ear help with hearing and balance.

When Your Somatic Nervous System Faces Challenges

Because it’s spread throughout your body, the somatic nervous system can be affected by various conditions, often leading to what we call peripheral neuropathy – basically, damage or disease of these outlying nerves. It’s something I discuss with patients quite often in my practice.

Some common culprits include:

• Type 2 diabetes: This is a big one. Over time, high blood sugar can damage these nerves, especially in the legs and feet. It’s a primary reason we stress good blood sugar control.
• Autoimmune conditions: Things like Guillain-Barré syndrome, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves.
• Infections: Viruses like HIV or shingles, and bacteria like the one causing Lyme disease, can all impact nerve health. Shingles, for instance, can leave behind some really persistent nerve pain.
• Injuries (Trauma): A bad fall or accident can directly damage nerves. Sometimes, even just swelling from an injury can press on nerves, leading to problems like carpal tunnel syndrome (in the wrist) or sciatica (pain down the leg).
• Medications & Toxins: Certain chemotherapy drugs or even some antibiotics can have side effects that harm nerves. Exposure to heavy metals like lead or mercury is also a known risk.
• Tumors: Both cancerous (malignant) and non-cancerous (benign) growths can press on or interfere with nerve function.
• Genetic conditions: Some people are born with conditions that predispose them to nerve issues.
• Hansen’s disease (leprosy): While rare in many parts of the world, it can cause significant nerve damage.

Listening to Your Body: Signs of Trouble

Symptoms really depend on whether motor nerves (controlling muscles) or sensory nerves (carrying sensation) are affected.

If motor nerves are unhappy, you might notice:

• Muscle cramps, spasms, or twitches
• Muscle weakness or shrinking (wasting)
• Loss of fine motor control

If sensory nerves are the issue, symptoms can include:

• Numbness or tingling: That “pins and needles” feeling, like a limb has “fallen asleep.” We call this paresthesia.
• Loss of sensation: You might not feel touch, temperature, or vibration as well. This can make it hard to tell if bathwater is too hot or to handle small objects. It can also affect balance.
• Neuropathic pain: This is a tricky one. It’s pain that comes from the nerves themselves, not from an actual injury happening at that moment. People often describe it as a burning, sharp, or shooting pain. It can be quite severe.

Figuring Out What’s Going On: Diagnosis

If you’re experiencing symptoms like these, the first step is usually a good neurological exam. We’ll have you do some simple movements, test your reflexes and sensation. This helps us start to pinpoint where the problem might be.

From there, we might suggest other tests:

• Blood tests: These can check for diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, immune issues, or toxins.
• Nerve conduction studies (like an electromyogram or EMG): These measure how well electrical signals are traveling through your nerves.
• Imaging scans: An MRI can show us if a tumor or something like a slipped disc is pressing on a nerve.
• Genetic testing: If we suspect an inherited condition.
• An EEG (electroencephalogram) might be used to check brain activity if the issue is thought to originate there.

How We Can Help: Treatments for Somatic Nervous System Issues

Treatment really depends on what’s causing the problem. Often, if we can treat the underlying condition – like getting diabetes under control – the nerve symptoms can improve.

Here are some common approaches we might discuss:

1. Medications: There are drugs to help with neuropathic pain, muscle spasms, and other symptoms.
2. Physical therapy: This can be incredibly helpful for improving strength, balance, and managing pain. It can also help you adapt to any long-term changes.
3. Managing the cause: If it’s diabetes, tight blood sugar control is key. If it’s a vitamin deficiency, supplements might be needed.
4. Procedures:

1. Complementary therapies: Some patients find relief with acupuncture. It’s not for everyone, but it’s an option we can explore.
2. Assistive devices: Things like braces, canes, or special footwear can make a big difference in daily life if movement or balance is affected.

We’ll always talk through all the options available for you or your loved one.

Take-Home Message: Caring for Your Somatic Nervous System

Your somatic nervous system is a remarkable network. Here are a few key things to remember:

• It’s your body’s system for conscious sensation and voluntary movement.
• Damage to these nerves (peripheral neuropathy) can cause symptoms like pain, numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness.
• Conditions like diabetes, injuries, and certain infections are common causes of somatic nervous system problems.
• Many issues are treatable, especially if caught early.
• A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet and managing chronic conditions, goes a long way in protecting your nerve health.

It’s easy to take for granted the ability to feel a gentle breeze or to walk across a room. But this system is working hard for you every moment. If you notice any persistent or worrying changes in your sensations or muscle control, please don’t hesitate to chat with us.

You’re not alone in figuring these things out.