How Does The Proprioceptive System Work?

What’s inside this article: An in-depth yet easy-to-understand explanation of what the proprioceptive system is and how it works. Includes signs of sensory processing challenges and strategies for managing sensory processing differences.

The proprioceptive system is one of the sensory systems that help your body understand where it is in space. 

It involves receptors in your muscles, joints, and tendons, which sense the position and movement of your body parts. This system enables you to know the position of your limbs without looking at them, allowing for coordination and balance. 

Try this: 

First, close your eyes and stretch your arms out straight in front of you. Then, attempt to touch your two index fingers together. You should be able to do this on your first or second try. This is your proprioceptive system at work.

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This post is part of a 10-part series on the sensory systems. Each part will contain a table of contents to help you easily navigate through the entire series.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction – The Sensory Spectrum
2. The Tactile System
3. The Auditory System
4. The Visual System
5. Proprioception
6. Vestibular System
7. Interoception
8. The Olfactory System
9. The Oral-Motor System
10. Bilateral Coordination

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Did you know: Approximately 70% to 90% of children with autism have sensory processing issues. These challenges can manifest in various ways, including hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity to sensory stimuli, and they can significantly impact daily functioning and behavior.

It’s a critical area of focus for both understanding and supporting individuals with autism. That’s why were taking a deeper look into the proprioceptive system and how sensory processing challenges relating to this system may manifest.

How Does The Proprioceptive System Work?

Proprioception is guided by receptors in the body, which are inside the skin, muscles, joints, and tendons. These receptors then connect with the brain through the nervous system.

So, even without sight, a person knows what his or her body is doing. That’s why you were able to touch your index fingers together when you closed your eyes in the exercise above and the reason why you can walk in the dark even though you can’t see your feet.

It plays a crucial role in everyday activities, motor control, and maintaining posture.

Proprioceptors

There are three types of sensory receptors that sense proprioceptive input, these are called proprioceptors.

They are:

1. Muscle spindles
2. Golgi tendon organs and
3. Joint kinesthetic receptors.

Muscle Spindles

Located within our muscles, these receptors are stimulated by stretch. 

Muscle spindles respond to changes in muscle length and velocity (the speed the muscle is moving) and transmit this information to the brain through the central nervous system, following a neural pathway. 

Golgi Tendon Organs

Golgi Tendon Organs or GTO for short are sensory receptors inside the tendons, along with both muscle fibers, and together, they attach muscles to bones.

These proprioceptive input receptors sense tension. 

Joint Kinesthetic Receptors

Joint kinesthetic receptors are located in the joints, where bone connects to bone.

They can sense the movements of our joints. So, when we move, they send a message to the brain that tells us what position our limbs are in.

Signs of Sensory Processing Challenges Related to The Proprioceptive System

Children with sensory processing challenges related to the proprioceptive system might display signs that are sometimes mistaken for misbehavior.

For example, they might be hyperactive, too rough, or frequently invade personal space.

These behaviors are often misunderstood as willful misbehavior, attention-seeking, or a lack of discipline, while in reality, they might be the child’s way of coping with sensory processing challenges.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver observing some of the behaviors listed below, it’s important to recognize these signs and understand that they may stem from sensory processing issues, not intentional misbehavior.

Addressing these challenges often requires a tailored approach that may involve occupational therapy and sensory integration strategies, however, some activity ideas you can try are included in this article.

Sensory Discrimination or Perception Issues

Discrimination and perception issues occur when the brain is struggling to interpret and give meaning to sensory input.

This may look like:

• Unable to touch their finger to their nose on the first try
• Feeding difficulties. Most commonly, misses mouth when self-feeding.
• Looks at feet while walking because they stumble if they don’t.
• Can’t color inside the lines at an age where that skill would be expected
• Often misses when attempting to kick or catch a ball
• If you ask them where a specific body part is, they can’t point to it unless they can see it as well.

Modulation Issues

This occurs when the brain over- or under-responds to sensory input.

This may look like:

Over-Responsive (Proprioceptive Defensiveness/Avoidance)

• Prefers to sit still
• Avoids touching others
• Dislikes sports and active activities
• Uncoordinated
• Trouble walking up and down the stairs
• Unable to climb structures at the playground. For example, ladders, steps, ropes, etc.
• When writing with a pencil on paper, it is so light that it can barely be read
• Poor posture
• Low energy

Under-Responsive (Proprioceptive Input Seeking)

• Constantly moving, unable to sit still
• Rough – for example, bumps into other people, walls, accidentally hurts others when playing as if they “don’t know their own strength”
• Aggressive behavior. For example, hits, kicks, bites, pushes tables, etc.
• Walks loudly or “thumps”
• Enjoys deep pressure massage 
• Enjoys lots of movements, For example, jumping, swinging, running, etc.
• High energy
• Chews on clothing and objects
• Likes to “hide” under blankets, inside clothing, under tables, etc.

Swinging on your belly, like in the picture, is a sign of proprioceptive input seeking. This kind of activity stimulates all the different types of proprioceptors at the same time.

As you can see, this provides deep pressure to the stomach and sides, stretching up to the upper and lower joints, and tension from moving in a swinging motion.

Praxis Issues

Praxis issues are related to planning and executing motor movements that the body has not done before. 

This may look like:

• When learning new skills/movements, your child may struggle with postural problems, fluidity of movement, and control of movement.
• Poor athletic performance
• Requires extra time to learn and practice new movements
• Struggles to position the body correctly when learning new activities

Strategies for Managing Proprioceptive Processing Differences

There are tons of resources on the blog that include proprioceptive input activities and these are among the most popular posts I have written.

Check some of them out here:

• Proprioceptive Input Activities for Sensory Seekers
• Animal Themed 7 Minute HIIT
• Morning Workout for Children
• Low-Prep Outdoor Sensory Play Ideas
• Sensory Diet Activities

For Over-Responsiveness:

• Both over- and under-responsive children benefit from additional proprioceptive input, but respect your child’s preferences. If they ask you to stop an activity, stop right away. Focus on calming activities versus active ones.
• Weighted blankets, lap pads, weighted vests, ankle weights, etc can help build proprioceptive awareness
• Deep pressure massage
• Allow extra time for learning new movements, and teach in a 1:1 environment

For Under-Responsiveness

• Heavy work activities – pushing, pulling, lifting, tug-o-war
• Stretching activities – Yoga, animal movements, Simon Says
• Movement activities – Keep active – trampolines, running, playground, sports, etc.
• Deep pressure – weighted blankets, resistance tunnels, deep pressure massage, bear hugs

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The proprioceptive system is a critical component of sensory processing, providing the sense of body position and movement in space.

Recognizing signs of proprioceptive processing challenges in kids is crucial, as they can often be misinterpreted as misbehavior. Addressing these challenges through tailored strategies can significantly improve behavior and enhance well-being for kids experiencing proprioceptive processing differences.

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