We are all born with a set of involuntary, uncontrollable reflex responses that are necessary for survival in the first stages of our lives. These reflexes are controlled by the lower centre of the brain and are there to help with the birthing process, learning and adapting to life as a human being.
All primitive reflexes are essential but should also be integrated around the age of 2 years old. This integration is vital to the development of the central nervous system which affects a person's sensory processing and neurological development,
What does this mean?
Retained primitive reflexes can contribute to a large number of imbalances that are often unexplained and untreatable. Some examples of these include:
Dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ADD, autism, OCD, ticks, hypersensitivity, shyness, tantrums, panic attacks, poor balance and co-ordination, extreme sensitivity to light/noise/touch, difficulty focusing and concentrating, speech and language issues, bed wetting, difficulty swallowing and issues around eating.
Why are reflexes unable to integrate?
Whilst there isn't a lot of research into why these reflexes don't always integrate, the following factors are likely to contribute:
Birth trauma, stress in pregnancy, foetal distress
Separation at birth
Toxins, pollution, medication, anaesthetic
Problems with feeding in first 6 months
Body held in fight/flight or freeze response
Injury, stress, trauma of some kind
The Primary Reflexes
Fear Paralysis | Emerges at 5 weeks after conception and integrates 9 weeks after conception | The fear paralysis reflex is the first step in learning to cope with stress in later life and works by shutting down systems in the body in response to shock. When stuck in this state a person can suffer with low self esteem, insecurity, hypersensitivity, depression, feeling withdrawn, introvert, anxious, negative and over clingy. |
Moro (startle) | Emerges around 9-12 weeks after conception and integrates 2-4 months after birth | This is our panic alarm reflex that triggers a fight or flight response in our body. Possible problems include low tolerance to stress and feeling on red alert, very sensitive, nightmares, don't like bright lights/sounds/noises, difficulty focusing, wanting to be in control, mood swings, impaired co-ordination and balance. |
Palmar | Emerges at 11 weeks after conception in utero and integrates 4-5 months after birth | The palmar reflex is the first step towards fine motor control and is the basis of running and walking. Difficulty grasping, catching and writing but there is also a link to the mouth opening and swallowing therefore speech and language issues, stuttering and immature letter formation is often impacted by a retained Palmar reflex. |
Infant Plantar | Emerges 11 weeks after conception in utero and integrates 7-9 months after birth | The infant plantar reflex is the start of fine motor control of the feet and forms the basis of walking and running. If retained it can impact on ability to walk or run fast, create gait imbalances and a person may curl their toes when thinking. Children that dislikes wearing shoes or socks may benefit from having this reflex checked for integration. |
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) | Emerges 18 weeks after conception in utero and integrates around 6-8 months after birth | Linked with head movement, hearing and left/right sided problems a retained ATNR can cause difficulty with hand/eye coordination, concentration, reading, tracking, spelling, crawling difficult, one sided problems, messy eating and ME. |
Root and Suck | Emerges 17 weeks after conception in utero and integrates 3-4 months after birth | This reflex enables a baby to feed from birth however if for any reason it doesn't integrate around 3-4 months of age it can cause issues with speech and language, thumb sucking, difficulty swallowing and chewing, dribbling, messy eating and fussy eating! |
Spinal Galant | Emerges 18-20 weeks after conception in utero and integrates by the end of the first year of life | The spinal galant reflex is used during the birth process and helps the foetus to 'feel' sound and propel through the birth canal. Caesarean birth is a possible link to this reflex not fully integrating as well as extreme fear and trauma. Possible problems include poor posture, bed wetting, hyperactivity, poor concentration, poor short term memory, issues with balance and co-ordination, fidgety, back pain and scoliosis. |
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) | Emerges 3 months after conception in utero and integrates 4 months after birth | The TLR reflex is triggered by head movement forwards or backwards and helps get into the correct position to crawl. When out of balance it can show as difficulty in judging space and speed, fear of heights, poor balance, dyslexia, reversing of letters, sequencing problems, walking on toes, making silly mistakes, tiredness and feeling out of touch with emotions. |
How can Kinesiology help?
Kinesiology uses muscle testing to investigate which reflex or reflexes are out of balance.
Once identified it is then possible to find out what is needed to bring that reflex back into balance and we will look at:
nutritional support
emotional imbalances that are often completely unconscious
energy balancing techniques working with the body's meridians, chakras and neurovascular points
physical exercises
Movement is key in the integration of retained primitive reflexes and a series of 5-10 minute daily exercises will be set as homework to help cement the work that is carried out during your kinesiology session. In small children where the exercises aren't possible we can discuss ways around this. Many children and adults alike find that regular exercise (and in particular yoga and gymnastics) will automatically begin to balance the body and show significant improvements.
Some final thoughts...
It's very common for primal reflexes to go in and out of balance throughout our lives. Shock and unsettling life experiences are inevitable and can often throw out one or more reflexes leaving us feeling off-balance and not ourselves. So whilst this work is extremely helpful for children it's often a relief for adults to have these problems acknowledged and addressed.
If you'd like to discuss any of the above in more detail I'd love to hear from you.
Jo :-)
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