Pinnacle Guru · Published archive
Proprioceptive sensitivity
Published
Proprioception is the sense that lets us perceive the location movement and action of parts of the body. It encompasses a complex of sensations including perception of joint position and movement, muscle force, and effort.
Most vertebrates possess three basic types of proprioceptors: muscle spindles which are embedded in skeletal muscles. Golgi tendon organs which lie at the interface of muscles tendons and joint receptors which are low threshold mechanoreceptors embedded in joint capsules.
Children who have difficulties with processing proprioceptive information and are hypersensitive are often classed as sensory seeking.These children are often very active having difficulty being still. Often children who are oversensitive will excessively climb and have little sense of danger.
Those with proprioceptive hyposensitivity have difficulty knowing where their bodies are in space and are often unaware of their own body sensations. For example they do not feel hunger. Children with hypoproprioceptive system appear floppy often lean against people, furniture and walls.
CAUSES: Disturbances in the proprioceptive system may be because of damage to sensory receptors. the nerve pathways in which sensory information is relayed to the brain.
Proprioceptive function seemed to mature at three to four years of age.
SYMPTOMS :
• Anxiety and fear
• Restlessness
• Irritability and anger
• Overexcitement
• Muscle tension
• Increased heart rate
• Rapid breathing
• Excessive sweating
Signs Balance issues such as having trouble standing on one foot or frequent falls while walking or sitting. Uncoordinated movement such as not being able to walk in a straight line. clumsiness such as dropping or bumping into things.
• poor postural control such as slouching or having to place extra weight on a table for balance while sitting
• Trouble recognizing your own strength such as pressing on a pen too hard when writing or not being able to gauge the force needed to pick something up
• Avoiding certain movements or activities such as climbing stairs or walking on uneven surfaces because of a fear of falling
CONDITIONS :
• Brain injuries
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Multiple sclerosis
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Joint injuries
• Parkinson's disease
• Huntington disease
DIAGNOSIS : Romberg test This is the most commonly used diagnostic test for proprioceptive abnormalities
• Field sobriety test
• Thumb finding test
• Sequential finger touching
• Distal proprioception test
TREATMENT- physical therapy which can be catered to any underlying injury or condition and involves activities to improve motor skills, strength and balance
occupational therapy to learn how to manage daily tasks while living with proprioception dysfunction
somatosensory stimulation training such as vibration therapy
exercises such as balance exercises
tai chi which improves lower limb proprioception according to recent research yoga which improves balance and muscle strength.
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