Proprioception is a critical component of balance.

Proprioception refers to the body's ability to sense movement within joints and joint position, enabling us to know where our limbs are in space without having to look. Proprioception underlies everyday movements, and is especially important for complicated sporting movements that require precise coordination. When a joint or other body part is injured, one's ability to properly coordinate muscular efforts is inhibited and body-spatial perceptions are altered. Such skewed perceptions limit the ability of a patient to perform therapeutic flexibility, strength and endurance exercises correctly, increasing the risk for incomplete rehabilitation and chronic pain or other problems. Therefore, reestablishing proprioception is critical to a functional rehabilitation program.