Proprioception training is an integral part of most rehabilitation protocols in animal physiotherapy. This is carried out in animals with neurological and orthopaedic diseases, but also in the training of geriatric animals, young animals in their locomotor development and also in canine athletes.
The term proprioception is derived from the Latin words proprius, meaning something proper, and capere, meaning to perceive. Therefore, proprioception is the perception of one's own position in space when standing and when moving, including the position of the limbs in relation to each other and to the body as a whole. It is therefore responsible for the perception of changes in the positions of the trunk, limbs and head (Millis D.L., 2014).
The nervous system is thus able to detect changes in the muscles and inside the body caused by movement and muscle activity by means of the proprioceptive system. The information is provided by proprioceptors located in the skin, muscles, tendons, joint capsules and periosteum of the bones. The balance and correct positioning of the body parts in space is ensured through the reflex arc, and at the same time the information reaches the cerebellum (subconsciously) and the cerebral cortex (consciously) through sensory pathways. The cerebellum and the motor cortex control the correct muscle tension and length of muscles necessary to hold the body in space via the central pathway. The goal is to increase or decrease the muscle activity of each muscle to create balance (Tomek A., 2019).
Decrease in proprioception, up to complete deficit of proprioception occurs in neurological diseases of the proprioceptive pathways, immobilization (e.g. after orthopedic procedures), due to fatigue and increasing age.
Examination of the proprioceptive system is one of the components of the physiotherapy examination, which is then used by the physiotherapist to draw up a rehabilitation plan individually for each patient. The individual examinations that help us evaluate the proprioceptive system are:
- evaluation of the attitude
- postural reactions (correction tests, repositioning tests)
- hemistanding, hemiwalk - standing or walking on one side
- bouncing
- wheelbarrow
Proprioception training basically includes all the exercises performed in movement therapy. Exercises where the animal has to be aware of the position of all parts of its body in relation to gravity and the position of the different parts of the body in relation to each other. These are exercises in stance, but also in movement. In patients after injuries and trauma, as well as in patients after surgical procedures on the musculoskeletal and nervous system, the inclusion of individual exercises in the rehabilitation plan significantly influences the healing phase. For other animals, this influences their skill level (geriatric patient, puppy, sporting dog).
The main role of the physiotherapist is to ensure that the exercises are performed correctly and that they mimic the natural movement pattern as much as possible. The most frequently mentioned exercises in the context of proprioception training are: standing with and without support, maintaining impaired balance, practicing walking, walking in a figure eight, balloon exercises, trampoline exercises, exercises on the Physio-Swing balance trainer, cavalettes and stair walking (Bokstahler B. 2019).
- Bokstahler B., Wittek K. et all.. Essential Facts of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine in Companion Animals. VBS GmbH, 2019
- Millis D.L., Levine D. Canine Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy. Elsevier, 2014
- Tomek A.. Neurology of the dog and cat in the pocket. Interactive neurology seminar for nurses. Vetfair 2019
MVDr. Renata Kvapilová, CertCAAPR
Veterinary ambulance
Dürerova 18
Prague 10
