{"id":31148,"date":"2023-12-06T11:56:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-06T19:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/?p=31148"},"modified":"2023-12-08T08:44:30","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T16:44:30","slug":"proprioception-training-an-integral-aspect-of-joint-replacement-fitness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medfitnetwork.org\/public\/all-mfn\/proprioception-training-an-integral-aspect-of-joint-replacement-fitness\/","title":{"rendered":"Proprioception Training: An integral aspect of joint replacement fitness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Proprioception refers to the conscious and unconscious perception of postural balance, muscles sense, and joint position and stability<\/span>. Basically, it is your sense of where you are in time and space for movement. We have found over the years that the best way to explain proprioception to clients comes from Dr. Eric Cobb at Z-Health Performance Solutions:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cProprioception is the body\u2019s 3D map of itself in time and space. AKA our movement and awareness map\u201d.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The detail and definition of this \u201cproprioceptive map\u201d comes from several specialized mechanoreceptors (i.e. nerve endings) in the muscles, tendons, joint capsules, fascia, and skin. As fitness trainers as we are usually taught about muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs when we learn about flexibility training, but there is a lot more to proprioceptive input. You are affecting the proprioceptive input to the brain when you use a neoprene knee sleeve (pressure), kinesiology tape (skin stretch), heat or ice packs (temperature), TENS units (electric), etc. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why understanding and training proprioception is important for joint replacement clients<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Several conditions can alter proprioception, thus \u201cclouding\u201d the map and degrading movement sense and capability, including pain, trauma, effusion, and fatigue<\/span>. A joint replacement client also likely had poor motor control of the joint in the first place that resulted in compensatory movement patterns and overuse injury over time. Complicating the matter further, although it may have been necessary, the surgery itself is an \u201cinsult\u201d to the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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To move a joint well, you must be able to feel the joint and surrounding tissue well. An extreme example of what can happen without the sense of touch or joint position is the story of Ian Waterman. A rare neurological illness resulted in his losing all touch and joint position sensation, effectively paralyzing him from the neck down even though the motor control area of his brain and the descending pathways to send movement information to his musculature were fine!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Varied stimulus drives improved mapping<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We can improve proprioception in several ways<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n