When i interviewed over 100 previously unconscious patients, several of them when physically moved during their unconscious state, increased their awareness of their environment. They momentarily could hear and understand what was being said. Looking for a physiological explanation for how movement increases awareness beyond just body position sense.
Madeleine, I found this in Wikipedia:
"The proprioceptive sense can be sharpened through study of many disciplines. Examples are the Feldenkrais method[28] and the Alexander Technique. Juggling trains reaction time, spatial location, and efficient movement[citation needed]. Standing on a wobble board or balance board is often used to retrain or increase proprioception abilities, particularly as physical therapy for ankle or knee injuries. Slacklining is another method to increase proprioception. Standing on one leg (stork standing) and various other body-position challenges are also used in such disciplines as Yoga, Wing Chun and T'ai Chi Ch'uan.[29] Several studies have shown that the efficacy of these types of training is increased by closing the eyes,[citation needed] because the eyes give invaluable feedback to establishing the moment-to-moment information of balance. There are even specific devices designed for proprioception training, such as the exercise ball, which works on balancing the abdominal and back muscles."
Thanks, Dina. I have found articles on what it does, what happens when there is a deficit and like what you said, how it can be increased. I'm looking for the A & P of how all this can happen.
Tough to find. Let me know if you come across anything else.
I don't have references to offer, but it seems to me that the A & P are straightforward. I would hypothesize, based on stress theory, that the anatomy is the operation of the nerves in providing sensory stimulation. The physiology is the propagation of neural signals into the CNS. While awareness is always present, it can be hidden by any of a variety of stresses stored in the nervous system. Body movement, indeed any sensations in the body, can temporarily 'break through' the obscuring of consciousness caused by stresses. Note: a summary of stress theory is at www.nsrusa.org/about-stress.php .
Sander L. Koole writes on embodiment, and there is a book by Mark Wittmann Felt Time where he explains how body awareness helps being more aware and present in the moment in general. Mark is also on Facebook and you can ask him some of your questions directly, i guess.
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