Proprioception / Balance

It is amazing how the body is designed! There are loads of reflexes and autonomic reactions that take place without thought processing. These reflex reactions keep us balanced and stable. For example, close your eyes and think of the angle at which your elbow is bent. Even with your eyes closed you should have an idea of how bent your  elbow is. Disruption in this type of sensation, amongst other factors, contributes to our sensation of imbalance. Neurologic disorders including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cerebellar atrophy and stroke are some conditions that can affect the body’s natural ability to sense the position of our joints. Physiotherapy can help address these conditions through exercising, stretching and retraining the body.