Close your eyes. Do you still know exactly where your arms and legs are?
That’s thanks to proprioception – your body’s ability to sense its position, movement, and force without needing to look.
Nicknamed the “sixth sense,” proprioception is the internal awareness of your body in space. It allows you to walk without staring at your feet, touch your nose with your eyes closed, or stand still without falling over. Sensors in your muscles, joints, and tendons constantly send messages to your brain, helping you maintain posture, balance, and coordination. It’s quite amazing!
What is proprioception?
Proprioceptive input is what fuels your body’s sense of movement and spatial awareness. This input comes from specialised nerve endings that detect stretch and pressure. These signals are processed in the brain, particularly the cerebellum and somatosensory cortex, enabling smooth, coordinated movements.
Children often develop their proprioceptive sense through crawling, jumping, climbing, and exploring. Adults rely on it constantly, often without even realising it.
How neurological conditions can impact proprioception
When something disrupts the way the brain and body communicate, proprioception can be affected.
Some disruptions are temporary – too much alcohol, for example, can cause you to stumble around due to problems with proprioception.
Others are permanent. Several neurological conditions interfere with the processing of sensory input, leading to difficulty with balance, coordination, and body awareness.
Parkinson’s disease and proprioception
In Parkinson’s disease, proprioceptive feedback may become impaired, contributing to slower movement, shuffling gait, and postural instability. This can increase the risk of falls and make everyday tasks more difficult. People with Parkinson’s may feel unsure about where their limbs are, especially while walking or changing direction.
Autism and sensory processing
Autistic children and adults often experience differences in how their nervous system processes sensory input. Some may seek strong proprioceptive input – for example, by jumping, pushing, or hugging tightly. Others may appear clumsy or unsure of their body in space due to under-responsive proprioceptive feedback.
ADHD, brain injury and other neurological challenges
Conditions such as ADHD, brain injury, or developmental delays can also impact proprioception. For example, children with retained primitive reflexes may have an underdeveloped proprioceptive sense, affecting posture, coordination, and classroom performance. Adults recovering from brain injuries might feel disconnected from parts of their body or struggle with everyday tasks like pouring a drink or navigating stairs.
How exercise physiology can support proprioception
Sometimes, proprioception can be improved thanks to neuroplasticity, your brain’s ability to adapt and change in response to new input.
An exercise physiologist trained in neurological rehabilitation can design safe, engaging proprioceptive activities that stimulate the brain and body together.
These might include:
- Balance and coordination drills using wobble boards, balance pads or gym balls
- Strengthening exercises targeting key stabilising muscles
- Dynamic movement patterns that challenge timing and spatial awareness
- Sensory-motor activities that integrate touch, vision, and movement
- Cross-body movements that stimulate both brain hemispheres.
These types of proprioception exercises help encourage the nervous system to create new connections.
Supporting sensory regulation
People with sensory processing challenges often find proprioceptive input calming. That’s why weighted blankets, stress balls, sensory sacks and swings are so popular.
Regular proprioceptive activities, like pushing, pulling, or squeezing, can help to support self-regulation, reduce anxiety, and improve focus.
At Neurofit Brain Centre, our approach uses cutting-edge functional neurology combined with engaging tools like interactive metronome, Neurosage, and laser therapy. Each client’s program is personalised and designed to promote neuroplastic change through movement, rhythm, and sensory input.
Our therapists, including chiropractors, exercise physiologists, and physiotherapists, are trained to create evidence-based programs that feel more like fun than therapy.
If you’ve noticed changes in balance, coordination, or body awareness, we invite you to book an assessment. We’ll guide you through a comprehensive neurological evaluation and recommend a tailored program that supports your goals.
Disclaimer
All information is general and not intended as a substitute for professional advice.
References
- Physiopedia, Proprioception, https://www.physio-pedia.com/Proprioception, [Accessed 22 October 2025]
- Healthline, What is proprioception and why is it so important? https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/proprioception, [Accessed 22 October 2025]
- Vinding, M.C., Tsitsi, P., Piitulainen, H. et al. Attenuated beta rebound to proprioceptive afferent feedback in Parkinson’s disease. Sci Rep 9, 2604 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-39204-3, [Accessed 22 October 2025]
- Neurodivergent Insights, Proprioception inputs, https://neurodivergentinsights.com/proprioception-inputs/, [Accessed 22 October 2025]
