Treatment of Proprioceptive Dysfunction

We have five senses which inform the brain about issues occurring outside the body. But there is a sixth sense which informs the brain about the body itself.

This sense is called proprioception. All senses have specific pathologies, and proprioception is no exception.

The most frequent pathology of proprioception is Proprioceptive Dysfunction Syndrome (PDS), first described in 1979 by Martins da Cunha, M.D., as Postural Deficiency Syndrome.

Adults mainly report pain and imbalance, while children mainly report attention disorders and learning difficulties despite being intelligent.

PDS is multifaceted, depending on the level of proprioceptive aggression and individual resistance to it.

Pain may appear as headaches, migraines, cervicalgia, torticollis, brachialgia, dorsalgia, chest pain simulating a myocardial infarction, epigastralgia, lumbalgia, piriformis syndrome sciatica, iliac pain simulating appendicitis or adnexitis, and fasciitis-like pain.

Imbalance may present as vertigo, rocking sensation, body instability, and frequent falls.

Vomiting, chronic fatigue, and gastric reflux may also occur as consequences of proprioceptive dysfunction. Other symptoms include facial paleness, multiple paresthesias, cold and sweaty extremities, and Raynaud’s Syndrome. Bumping into objects and inner mouth and lip injuries are also consequences of proprioceptive dysfunction.

The treatment consists of correcting the proprioceptive system. This treatment is multidisciplinary.

Concerning the visual pathway, this treatment is done primarily by prescribing active prisms. These must be prescribed by a specialist in proprioception, not a usual eye doctor.