What is Proprioception?

Proprioception is our sense of body awareness.

It allows us to know where our body parts are positioned without
looking at them.

It's what we feel when we contract and stretch our muscles and when we squeeze or experience deep pressure.

What does undersensitivity look like?

If you're under-sensitive to it you may:
- lack awareness of your body's position so may bump into and lean against things

- use too much or too little pressure - such as when writing or break and drop objects

- you might like rough rigorous activities and like tight clothing and spaces so as to feel your boundaries

- you might have difficulty sleeping and sitting still

- you might have difficulty sitting still and physically stim and

move around a lot

- love biting or hard and chewy foods

- have anxiety in open spaces so like to stay close to the walls

There are many things that can help such as:

- Movement like sport, exercise and movement breaks or alternate desks and chairs

- Stretch and resistant things such as yoga, weights, chew and resistance stim toys

- Deep pressure like hugs, massages and vibration, weighted objects and tight clothing and spaces

If you're oversensitive to it you may:

- be very aware of your body

- feel slight movements and your muscles

- mistake tension for pain

- avoid movement like sports and exercise

- avoid physical contact like hugs

- move slowly and carefully to avoid contact with objects

- dislike heavy clothing, blankets, and bags

- feel claustrophobic and so feel anxiety in tight spaces or crowds

There are many things that can help such as:

- fixed chairs and tables can avoid small muscular movements

- light clothing can help avoid the sensation of weight

- avoiding crowds and tight spaces

- having light pressure on the skin

- replacing and pleasant sensations with nicer ones