Body Schema (Body Image, Body Schema)

Body schema is a person's idea of ​​how their body is located in space. It is formed based on our experience of interaction with the environment and allows us to navigate space and interact with objects. Body layout is important to our health and well-being as it helps us maintain balance and coordinate movement.

When we are on the move, our brain is constantly receiving information from our senses such as sight, hearing, smell and touch. These signals are processed by the brain and transmitted to the body's circuitry, which allows us to control our movements.

If your body's circuitry is disrupted, it can lead to various health problems such as poor coordination, balance problems, and even depression. Therefore, it is very important to take care of your body and keep it in good condition.

One way to maintain a healthy body diagram is through regular physical activity. Exercising, yoga, dancing or just walking in the fresh air will help strengthen your muscles and improve coordination. Moreover, proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle also play an important role in maintaining a healthy body.

Introduction

Body image (body schema) is a person’s idea or diagram of the location of individual parts of his body and their relationships with each other. This circuitry is formed in the brain through association zones, areas of the brain that are associated with specific body functions or motor activities.[1] In this article we will look at what a body diagram is, how it is formed, and why its violations can lead to various health problems.

Defining a body diagram

According to scientific research, a body diagram is a special representation that is formed in our brain and reflects our sensations of movement, body movement and its position in space. It allows us to perceive the parts of the body in their relationship. The body diagram contributes to our orientation in physical space and also provides a sense of balance and posture when moving.

This pattern is innate and can change under the influence of learning, physical activity and disease. Some body diagram disorders can lead to poor balance when walking, as well as problems with memory and attention. In addition, some authors have linked body schema to creativity and emotion, and believe that disruption can cause problems with motor and cognitive performance[2].

In general, we can say that body diagram is important for our physical and emotional well-being. Its formation and activity depend on the associative areas of the human brain, which recognize specific organs and parts of the body from interactions with the outside world.

Formation of the body schema The formation of the body schema begins in the womb and continues throughout a person’s life. Until 4-5 months of pregnancy, the development of the skeleton and nervous system occurs independently of each other. During this period, the brain perceives the bones as a single whole, since there is no conscious perception of one’s body yet.

Then, starting at 5 months, the brain forms strong connections between bones and muscles, forming a basic map of the body. At this stage, there is a separation between visual and proprioceptive images, which help the brain form a diagram of the body. This separation allows the brain to more accurately perceive the external world and the sensation of movement in the body.[3] This period of development continues until 10-12 weeks, when the brain begins to connect the skeleton and muscles with external events, creating a more detailed and accurate map of the body.

In addition, the formation of a body diagram also affects a person’s emotional state. Thus, research shows that those people who have a more accurate image of their body have higher levels of self-confidence and show less anxiety.[4]

Body diagram

A body diagram (body image, body schema) is a person’s idea of ​​the relative location of individual parts of his body and limbs, which is formed in the cerebral cortex with the help of nerve connections between the associative zones of the cortex.

**What is a body diagram?**

A person perceives his body comprehensively - as a single whole. The visual cortex works like this: when we look at our reflection, it transfers activity from the skin to the retina. Sensory information begins to be processed with the words “these are my eyebrows,” and then “my skin,” “my eyes.” However, in reality, the body diagram develops

The emergence of associative mechanisms is one of the reasons why a person imagines his body and is actively involved in interaction with it and other forms of comprehension. Until the brain is aware of its body parts and their locations, it is still impossible for it to understand how to control its movements and use its hands to manipulate objects. In other words, the ability to think and move within and outside one's body comes with awareness of the parts of the body that are potentially capable of such actions.