The ability to balance is a result of adequate proprioception. Proprioception, also called kinesthesia, is the term often used to describe the physiological processes within the sensorimotor system, which include the body’s ability to sense its position and movements in space, body balance, and muscle reflex activity. Proprioception allows us to move freely and maintain balance without having to consciously think about our environment at all times.
Many factors can affect proprioception. Temporary damage can result from excessive alcohol consumption. Injuries or medical conditions that affect the muscles, nerves, and brain can cause long-term or permanent impairment of proprioception. Thus, an injury (e.g., fracture) that requires immobilization of one or more joints and subsequent hypomobility for a certain period of time reduces proprioception for a short or longer period of time.
Also, damage to the central nervous system, such as after a stroke, greatly affects proprioception and consequently the patient’s movement, posture, balance, and gait. Even age-related changes (e.g., muscle and joint degeneration) can affect proprioception.
Other conditions that can cause proprioception deficit are:
- fractures, sprains, ligament injuries or ruptures
- arthroplasty or ligamentoplasty surgeries
- herniated disc and spinal surgeries
- arthritis
- stroke
- multiple sclerosis
- ALS ( amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
- Parkinson’s disease
- diabetes
- peripheral neuropathy
Symptoms of proprioception disorder
Abnormal proprioception causes symptoms that can affect even the simplest activities such as:
- balance problems, such as difficulty standing on one leg or frequent falls while walking or sitting
- uncoordinated movements, such as not being able to walk in a straight line
- clumsiness, such as falling or bumping into things
- poor postural control, such as slouching or needing to place extra weight on a table for balance while sitting
- having difficulty recognizing your strength, such as pressing too hard on a pen when writing or not being able to gauge the force required to lift something
- avoiding certain movements or activities, such as climbing stairs or walking on uneven surfaces due to fear of falling
The selection of appropriate therapeutic exercises by a physiotherapist to restore proprioception depends on the cause of the disorder and should be part of the overall treatment for that cause. Typically, the physiotherapeutic approach includes manual therapy techniques, somatosensory stimulation exercises (such as vibration therapy – Neurac technique), strengthening exercises and balance exercises.
Proprioception exercises are often used as a preventive measure to avoid injuries due to falls in the elderly.
