Proprioception is a medical term that describes the ability to sense the orientation of your body in your environment. This allows you to move quickly and freely without worrying about where you are in space or your surroundings. Proprioception is a constant feedback loop in your nervous system that tells your brain where you are and what forces are acting on your body at any given moment .

The way we can say that the hand is raised above our head even when our eyes are closed is an example of proprioception. Other examples may include your ability to feel the surface you are standing on even when you are not looking at the surface. If you walk down the sidewalk and then turn to walk on the grass, your body knows how to adapt to the surface change through proprioception.

Anatomy of the proprioception system

Proprioception comes from sensory nerve endings that provide our brain with information about the position of the limbs. Your muscles and joints have specialized nerves that communicate with your brain and tell it where your joint is and how much the muscles around it stretch or stretch. Nerves surround each bundle of muscles, creating a communication system with your brain about what is happening to the muscles and joints in your body.

What happens when proprioception is affected?

If you have poor proprioception after injury or surgery, you may not even realize it. But sometimes impaired proprioception leads to difficulties with basic functional mobility. When walking on an unstable surface, you may feel like you are about to lose your balance. If your proprioception really isn't working, you might even fall off .

Upper extremity injuries can also lead to loss of proprioception. You may have trouble performing the correct movement and may have trouble with fine motor skills that require precise movement.

Improving proprioception

Many people do balance and proprioception exercises after injury or illness. After a complete knee replacement, your physical therapist can work with you to help you regain a sense of knee position. They may ask you to do balance exercises. They may include :

• T-posture balance exercise
• Stand on one leg
• BOSU steps
• BAPS board
• functional practice and movement of the upper extremities

You can progress in proprioception exercises by changing the surface you are standing on. Try standing on a pillow or a piece of foam. Standing with your eyes closed and thus getting rid of the visual system can also challenge your proprioception.

When you see a physical therapist, he or she can assess your balance and proprioception and prescribe exercises to help improve your proprioception. These exercises can upset your balance and create situations in which you feel unsafe. This imbalance is necessary; helps improve your balance and proprioception.

Understanding how proprioception affects your balance and your ability to navigate your environment can be a key component of your successful trauma rehabilitation.

Get the word of drug information

Proprioception is a complex series of nerve and muscle communications that tell your brain where your body is in space. If you are injured, your proprioceptive system can be compromised, causing a change in your ability to function normally. Working with your physical therapist can help you improve your proprioception and overall functional mobility.