Proprioception: Your Brains Internal GPS System

What is Proprioception? The Hidden Sense That Guides Your Movements

Vision. Hearing. Smell. Taste. Touch. And then there's proprioception. Wait, what's that? It’s the uncelebrated sense, one that most of us don’t even think about—until it’s gone. Yet, it’s one of the most essential sensory systems that shape how we move through life.

Think about it: Have you ever tried to close your eyes and touch your nose? Even without seeing your hand, you just *know* where it is. That’s proprioception at work, an incredible system within the brain and body that lets you sense where every part of your body is, even when you can’t see it.

Without it, basic actions like walking, running, or simply reaching for a cup become an impossible task.

How Proprioception Shapes Coordination and Balance

Proprioception, the sense that allows us to feel and locate our body parts, was a groundbreaking discovery in neuroscience.

Pioneered by the likes of Claude Bernard, Sir Charles Bell, and Nobel Prize winner Sir Charles Sherrington, it’s the brain’s internal GPS.

But how often do we think about it? Probably never. Yet, the lack of proprioception reveals just how much we rely on it.

When proprioception is lost—whether due to injury, disease, or other causes—it’s not just inconvenient. It changes everything.  Imagine not knowing where your limbs are or how to move them without intense focus.

For individuals like Ian Waterman, who lost proprioception due to an autoimmune response to a viral infection, this becomes their reality.

He had to relearn how to walk, talk, and even sit up, all while relying heavily on his vision and conscious thought to move. His recovery was groundbreaking but still imperfect. He can walk, but every action requires intense focus.

The Brain’s Predictive Power: Why We Move Without Thinking

It’s not just a minor inconvenience—it’s a complete overhaul of how the brain functions. When proprioception is lost, the brain struggles to predict the state of the body in real time.

We move not just by feeling the world around us, but by predicting how our bodies are situated and how they will move next. Without proprioception, these predictions fail, and we’re forced to rely on slower, more taxing methods like vision or cognitive effort to function.

How Proprioception Shapes Precision in Movement

But here’s the catch: while we take proprioception for granted, it's vital for coordination, balance, and precision in movement. It lets you reach for that cup of coffee without looking at your hand, relying instead on an unconscious process that anticipates your body’s position.

Without proprioception, every movement requires full attention—something Ian and others have had to deal with every single day since they lost it. For them, moving becomes a slow, exhausting process.

The Importance of Proprioception in Applied Neurology

This raises a crucial point for applied neurology: proprioception is not only about physical movement. It's deeply connected to how our brains process and predict movement.

And when this process is disrupted, it can have profound effects on the body, from the simplest of actions to complex coordination in sports or daily life.

Proprioception is a core part of our brain’s predictive power, guiding us to act before we even fully process the movement.

Next Level Neuro’s Approach: Unlocking the Brain’s Full Potential

This is why Next Level Neuro’s approach to brain health and neurology is so in the moment with the current up-to-date science.

We don’t just look at the brain in isolation. We look at how its systems, like proprioception, work together to create movement, coordination, and health.

Applied neurology, as we teach it, helps people understand and enhance these processes, helping you gain more control over your body and your movements—even if you’re dealing with something like proprioceptive loss.

Imagine unlocking the brain’s full potential, tapping into a deeper understanding of how you move, feel, and even predict future actions.

This is where Next Level Neuro’s mentorship program comes in. We give you the tools to understand the complexities of your own brain, empowering you to unlock new levels of performance, pain management, and cognitive function.

Why Settle for Managing Symptoms? Understand the Root Causes

So why settle for just managing symptoms when you can understand the root causes and work to enhance your body’s natural capabilities?

Whether you're a coach, trainer, or health professional, Next Level Neuro’s insights into applied neurology can change the way you approach wellness, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement.

This isn’t just about getting better—this is about *understanding* your brain’s incredible ability to adapt, learn, and thrive. And that’s the real power of neuroplasticity at work.

Join us at Next Level Neuro to start your journey of neurological mastery and unlock your full potential.