The ability to detect touch, pressure, proprioception, vibration, temperature, texture or identify an object in your hand can be affected after neurological injury. These sensations assist us to process and interact with our environment which is imperative for accurate movement. Symptoms of sensory deficits include pins and needles, numbness, tingling, squeezing, aching or burning.  

Research has found that having reduced lower limb sensation results in a slower recovery, greater difficulty achieving independent walking and reduced walking speed. It can also result in reduced participation and hand function including fine manipulation of objects, reach and grasp.  

Sensory retraining involves repetitive activation of sensory pathways to assist with neuroplasticity and support recovery. Your therapist may complete a thorough sensory assessment looking at your ability to detect touch, localize touch, differentiate sharp or blunt, pressure, proprioception, different textures, temperature, vibration, recognize an object in your hand or differentiate one or both sided touch of the body.  

Your therapist will then devise an active sensory program focusing on the specific impairments found including: 

• Hands on therapy to assist with swelling reduction, joint compression and touch to improve awareness of the limb 

• Teaching you and your carer how to retrain the specific sensation affected from the above assessment 

• Practice of functional and task specific skills in line with your goals keeping the sensory impairment in mind  

• Lots and lots of repetition and feedback!

Therapy approaches to sensation at NRG may also include: 

• SENSe therapy - For more information consult: https://sensetherapy.net.au/ 

• Barefoot walking and balance retraining

• Electrical stimulation devices such as NeuroTrac or TENS machine

• Graded Motor Imagery including mirror therapy (Graded Motor Imagery - Noigroup) 

• Hydrotherapy

• Education regarding chronic pain, fatigue and strategies to help with pacing in your day