Proprioception, also known as kinesthesia, is the sense of self-movement, force, and body position. It is mediated by proprioceptors, which are mechanosensory neurons located within muscles, tendons, and joints. Proprioception is what allows someone to learn to walk in complete darkness without losing balance. During the learning of any new skill, sport, or art, it is usually necessary to become familiar with some proprioceptive tasks specific to that activity. Without the appropriate integration of proprioceptive input, an artist would not be able to brush paint onto a canvas without looking at the hand as it moved the brush over the canvas.
Proprioception is critical for meaningful interactions with our surrounding environment. It helps with the planning of movements, sport performance, playing a musical instrument, and ultimately helps us avoid an injury. Proprioception allows automaticity in everyday movements, such as taking steps without the need to look at your feet and the ability to navigate rooms while in the dark.
Proprioception results from sensory receptors in the nervous system and body, with most of these receptors located in muscles, joints, and tendons. When you move, the receptors send detailed messages to your brain about your positions and actions. Your brain processes these messages and works with your vision, nervous system, and vestibular system to create your perception of where your body is and how you’re moving.
Proprioception is what allows you to walk without consciously thinking about where to place your foot next and lets you touch your elbow with your eyes closed. Proprioception, a sense vital for rapid and proper body coordination, can be permanently lost or impaired as a result of genetic conditions, disease, viral infections, and injuries. For instance, patients with joint hypermobility or Ehlers–Danlos syndromes, genetic conditions that result in weak connective tissue throughout the body, have chronic impairments to proprioception.
Certain conditions can make proprioception difficult, and you may have these symptoms if you have a proprioception disorder: falling when you walk across uneven surfaces, difficulty with fine motor tasks, clumsiness, and poor spatial awareness. Proprioceptive input is also one of the main regulators in the body, which means it helps to calm an active nervous system and can help to organize a child if they feel overstimulated by an environment. Proprioceptive input can enhance attention and focus and can be an effective strategy to regulate and prepare a child for activities throughout the day.
