Orthopedics Physical Therapy An Overview of Proprioception By Laura Inverarity, DO Laura Inverarity, DO Laura Inverarity, PT, DO, is a current board-certified anesthesiologist and former physical therapist. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 22, 2022 Medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD Medically reviewed by Oluseun Olufade, MD LinkedIn Twitter Oluseun Olufade, MD, is a board-certified orthopedist. He teaches as an Assistant Professor of Orthopedics at Emory School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Proprioception is a medical term that describes the ability to sense the orientation of your body in your environment. It allows you to move quickly and freely without having to consciously think about where you are in space or in your environment. Proprioception is a constant feedback loop within your nervous system, telling your brain what position you are in and what forces are acting upon your body at any given point in time. Don Mason / Getty Images The way we can tell that an arm is raised above our head, even when our eyes are closed, is an example of proprioception. Other examples may include your ability to sense the surface you are standing upon, even when you are not looking at the surface. If you are walking along the sidewalk and then turn to walk upon a grassy surface, your body knows how to adjust to the change in surface because of proprioception. Anatomy of the Proprioception System Proprioception comes from sensory nerve endings that provide our brain with the information of the limb position. There are specialized nerves in your muscles and joints that communicate with your brain and tell it what position your joint is in and how much stretch or strain is on the muscles surrounding a joint. The nerves surround each muscle bundle, creating a system of communication with your brain about what is happening to the muscles and joints of your body. What Happens When Proprioception Is Impaired? If you have poor proprioception after an injury or surgery, you may not even notice. But sometimes, impaired proprioception results in difficulty with basic functional mobility. When walking on unsteady surfaces, you may feel like you are about to lose your balance. If your proprioception is really off, you may even fall. Upper extremity injuries may also result in loss of proprioception. You may have difficulty reaching properly, and you may have problems with fine motor tasks that require precision of movement. Improving Proprioception Many people perform balance and proprioception exercises after an injury or illness. After a total knee replacement, your physical therapist may work with you to help you regain your sense of your knee's position. He or she may have you perform balance exercises. These may include: The T-stance balance exercise Single leg stance BOSU steps BAPS board Upper-extremity functional practice and movement Progression of proprioception exercises can be done by altering the surface you are standing upon. Try standing on a pillow or piece of foam. Standing with your eyes closed, thus eliminating your visual system, can also challenge your proprioception. When you visit a physical therapist, he or she may assess your balance and proprioception and prescribe exercises to help improve your proprioception. These exercises may challenge your balance, creating situations where you feel unsteady. This unsteadiness is necessary; it helps to improve your balance and proprioception. Understanding how proprioception affects your balance and your ability to navigate through your environment may be a key component to your successful rehabilitation after an injury. A Word From Verywell Proprioception is a complex series of muscle and nerve communications that tell your brain where your body is in space. If you have been injured, your proprioception system may become impaired, leading to an altered ability to function properly. Working with your physical therapist can help improve your proprioception and your overall functional mobility. Frequently Asked Questions How is proprioception tested? There are a few ways proprioception is tested. A common one is called the Romberg test: A person stands upright with their feet together and their eyes closed for 30 seconds. If they lose their balance, proprioception may be an issue. Other tests may be performed by doctors or physical therapists using special equipment. Is it possible to improve proprioception? Yes, it is possible to improve proprioception. One systematic review of 51 studies found that proprioception training resulted in an average improvement of 52% over starting levels. Some single studies reviewed resulted in improvements as high as 80%. What types of exercise help improve proprioception? Balance exercises like the T-stance balance exercise, single leg stance, BOSU ball, and standing BAPS board can help improve proprioception. Certain physical activities can also help improve proprioception, including yoga, tai chi, or exercising with a slackline or balance ball. Learn More: Advanced Balance Exercises What are some reasons a person may not have good proprioception? Age, injury, and certain neurological conditions may lead to reduced proprioception. Drugs and alcohol also temporarily affect proprioception.Those who are recovering from an injury may lose the sense of the injured area of their body. Proprioception will return gradually during the recovery process. 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Han J, Waddington G, Adams R, Anson J, Liu Y. Assessing proprioception: A critical review of methods. J Sport Health Sci. 5(1):80–90. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2014.10.004 Aman JE, Elangovan N, Yeh IL, Konczak J. The effectiveness of proprioceptive training for improving motor function: a systematic review. Front Hum Neurosci. 8:1075. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.01075 Khasnis A, Gokula RM. Romberg's test. J Postgrad Med. 49(2):169-72. PMID: 12867698 Han J, Waddington G, Adams R, Anson J, Liu Y. Assessing proprioception: A critical review of methods. J Sport Health Sci. 5(1):80-90. doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2014.10.004 Aman JE, Elangovan N, Yeh IL, Konczak J. The effectiveness of proprioceptive training for improving motor function: a systematic review. Front Hum Neurosci. 2015;8:1075. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.01075 By Laura Inverarity, DO Laura Inverarity, PT, DO, is a current board-certified anesthesiologist and former physical therapist. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit