What is it?
One of the key functions of the neck is to help position the head accurately in space. It achieves this by relaying information from joint receptors and neck muscles to the central nervous system.
This sensory input enables the brain to coordinate movements between the eyes, ears and neck, which is essential for maintaining balance, spatial orientation and proper head and neck posture – whether during daily activities, work or sports. This process is known as cervical joint position sense.
Research
Research shows that individuals with acute neck injuries, chronic neck pain (Vries et al., 2015), or whiplash (Treleaven, 2003) often experience impaired cervical joint position sense. In addition to neck pain, this impairment may contribute to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and a sense of unsteadiness.
Assessment
Cervical joint position sense is typically assessed through a series of tests.
A laser pointer is mounted on the head and the individual is asked to perform various head movements, both with eyes open and closed.
These tests help identify joint position errors (JPE). Targeted home exercises are then prescribed to improve joint position sense and support recovery.