Proprioception

Proprioception is your body’s ability to sense where it is in space and adapt to sudden changes in the environment, such as those relating to force, tension, and body position.



Difficulties with proprioception can present as:

• Balance issues, such as having trouble standing on one foot or frequent falls while walking or sitting.
• Uncoordinated movement (ataxia), such as not being able to walk in a straight line, or difficulty reaching for an object.
• The avoidance of certain activities, such as climbing stairs or walking on uneven surfaces because of a fear of falling.

Proprioceptive input can be provided through:

• resistance activities
• weightbearing activities
• moving heavy items 
• provision of deep pressure input

Some ideas to help improve proprioception include:

Tai Chi is a great way to not only improve well-being but also to develop balance and proprioception. The slow, focused movements of Tai Chi practice provide an environment whereby the proprioceptive information being fed back to the brain stimulates an intense, dynamic "listening environment" to further enhance mind / body integration.

• Pushing, pulling and carrying heavy objects
• Throwing and catching a tennis or other ball, perhaps against a wall

• Wearing tight, elastic clothes
• Playing tug of war

• Crawling over an obstacle course (perhaps make one at home with cushions and chairs)
• Raking leaves
• Applying deep pressure from one hand to the other e.g. using the thumb to of one hand to press the palm of the other. This may be particularly helpful before trying to manipulate an instrument or handpiece, for example.

There are ten simple leg exercises to do at home here:

https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness/proprioception-exercises#exercises

Push-ups, whether against a wall or the floor, help improve both shoulder strength and proprioception.