What is the Somatosensory System?
Have you ever wondered why you know exactly where to swat a fly that lands on your skin without even looking?
Hey HealthyHips Community! This is Iysha, CEO and Founder, here to teach you all about the neuroscience behind sensation!
The Somatosensory System is the part of the nervous system that is responsible for perceiving somatic sensations.
These sensations include:
touch
pressure
pain
tickle
itch
temperature
body position
movement
vibration
These sensations originate from the muscles, joints, skin, and fascia.
The somatosensory system one way in which we connect with the external environment around us, AND the internal environment within us. How cool!
Somatosensory information is detected and collected in the periphery (external body), then relayed to the Central Nervous System (specifically to the Primary Somatosensory Cortex) through both cranial nerves and spinal nerves.
Location in the brain
The Primary Somatosensory Cortex is located in the Parietal Lobe of the Brain.
This is the area in the brain responsible for processing and integrating sensory signals.
The Sensory Map
A map of the entire body is present in the Primary Somatosensory Cortex.
This map is distorted based on the number of sensory receptors present in each particular area of the body (different areas of the body are represented larger due to this).
The map can change based on an individual's awareness of certain areas of the body.
We can change our body awareness with
✨myofascial rolling exercises
✨ yoga
✨ exercise
✨ proprioceptive mediations (such as yoga nidra)
thus changing this sensory map in the brain!
What type of balls should be used for MFR?
A rubber therapy ball should be used for self myofascial release practices. The two types of rubber balls that are recommended are either the High-Bounce Pinky Ball that can be found on Amazon HERE, or Tune Up Fitness Balls which are available for purchase from the HealthyHips Prop Shop — see Add To Cart link below.
