0208 9776396
Kingston & Teddington Osteopathy
Kingston & Teddington Osteopathy
Kind regards,
Proprioception comes from a part of our Central Nervous System called the Spinothalamic Tract.
We have a constant feedback loop from eyes, ears, feet and the whole body to our Central Nervous System so that we can move our body appropriately for the situation/environment that we are in.
Propriocpetion allows you to move without consciously thinking about where you are placing your feet. If you close your eyes and touch your elbow or nose, you are using Proprioception.
There are various things that can cause problems with proprioception. Brain injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy and stroke are just a few.
However, if we explore the effect of ageing on the central nervous system, there is evidence that proprioception is negatively impacted by age. There is an increased risk of falling and stumbling as we don’t get our clues from the environment fast enough in the feedback loop mentioned above.
The very good news however, is that it is physically possible to slow down this degenerative process and keep our proprioceptive abilities as we age.
Exercises for stability, balance and co-ordination stimulate the Central Nervous System and this keeps neural pathways active. By doing simple exercises you can keep your proprioception working.
Here are some basic ideas to try:
– Try Standing on One Leg. With feet hip width apart, shift your weight onto one foot and then gently lift the other foot off the floor. If you feel wobbly, place finger tips on the wall or kitchen counter until you feel confident.
– Standing on One Leg and Swing the Leg. Once you are standing on one leg, try swinging the raised leg gently back, forwards and out to the side.
– Sit to Stand with Arms Crossed. Sit on a chair, cross your arms over your chest and then engage your core muscles and gluteal muscles and stand up.
– Try Closing Your Eyes. Practice closing your eyes and touching your nose, elbow, knees and if you can reach, your toes. Start by doing this sitting down so that you don’t fall over.
You can also improve proprioception by attending Tai Chi, Pilates or Yoga classes. Any exercise with mindfulness and awareness of your body as you move will help.
When you attend your next appointment at Kingston & Teddington Osteopathy, ask your Osteopath for more information and they can advise on the best course of action for you personally.
If you need our help and would like to book an appointment, Please Call: 02089776396
If you have aches and pains, don’t wait, just call the clinic and come in and we will be able to diagnose the problem.
You can email info@osteopathuk.co.uk or call 02089776396
| Click the link for our website: http://www.osteopathuk.co.uk/ |
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us for any reason, we are here to help and welcome any feedback. Click here for more information.