What is kinaesthetic sense? |

The kinaesthetic sense, also called kinaesthesia or proprioception, is one of the senses our body uses to keep track of our movements. The term kinaesthesia means "sense of movement," and refers to the information our brain receives when our muscles are stimulated through movement.

One way to help understand our sense of kinaesthesia is to try and isolate it from other senses we rely on. If you close your eyes and wave your hand, do...

The kinaesthetic sense, also called kinaesthesia or proprioception, is one of the senses our body uses to keep track of our movements. The term kinaesthesia means "sense of movement," and refers to the information our brain receives when our muscles are stimulated through movement.

One way to help understand our sense of kinaesthesia is to try and isolate it from other senses we rely on. If you close your eyes and wave your hand, do you still know where your hand is in relation to the rest of your body? If you plug your ears and tap your toe, do you still know that your foot is moving? 

People with certain conditions like Ehler's-Danlos Syndrome may suffer difficulties in their sense of kinaesthesia. Depending on the nature of the condition, the muscles may not "communicate" effectively with each other, or the brain may have trouble interpreting the message it receives from the muscles. Sometimes people who have no medical conditions experience mix-ups with their sense of kinaestheia! Have you ever tried to take a sip from a straw but missed your mouth? Though it makes us feel silly, it's not at all uncommon for signals from our muscles to get mixed up on their way to the brain.

The sense of kinaesthesia is very important to athletes and dancers, as well as people who may have one of their other senses damaged. Many people who are visually impaired rely on their sense of kinaesthesia and spatial awareness of their surroundings in order to navigate their daily lives.