What are Primitive Reflexes?

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Primitive reflexes are automatic movement responses that babies are born with.

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They are controlled largely by the brainstem and are important during the earliest stages of life. They help a newborn with things such as feeding, movement, posture and responding to their environment.

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As a child's nervous system matures, these early reflex patterns are gradually inhibited, or integrated, as more purposeful and controlled movement and responses develop.

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Think of them as early building blocks for the nervous system.

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When this process doesn't happen as smoothly as expected, some of these reflex patterns may remain more active than they need to be.​

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What might a retained Primitive Reflex look like?

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Every client is different, but sometimes they notice patterns such as:

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• Difficulty sitting still or maintaining good posture

• Poor coordination or clumsiness

• Difficulty with balance

• Struggling with handwriting or fine motor skills

• Finding it tiring to sit at a desk or work for long periods

• Difficulty crossing the midline of the body

• Challenges with reading, writing or visual tracking

• Sensitivity to noise, touch, movement or busy environments

• Seeming easily overwhelmed or having a "busy" nervous system

• Difficulties with body awareness

• Challenges with motor planning

• Difficulty concentrating or staying regulated

• Delayed or immature movement patterns

• Finding certain physical activities much harder than expected

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These kinds of difficulties can also occur for many other reasons, including normal developmental variation and neurodevelopmental differences. That's why I don't look at primitive reflexes in isolation.

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I look at the client as a whole, including nutrition, muscle integrity, emotional stressors and energetic imbalances.

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Which Primitive Reflexes might we explore?

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There are several primitive reflexes that can be explored. Here are some examples of reflexes we may work on within a session:

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Moro reflex

​The Moro is sometimes described as the baby's startle reflex. It helps a newborn respond quickly to a sudden change in their environment.

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If it remains overly active, it may be worth considering for client's who are particularly sensitive, easily startled, overwhelmed by sensory input or find it difficult to settle their nervous system.

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Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

The ATNR is involved in early movement and the development of coordination between the eyes, head, arms and body.

It can be relevant when exploring patterns involving crossing the midline, hand-eye coordination, visual tracking, handwriting and some aspects of reading and physical coordination.

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Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

The STNR helps develop the transition from early movement into more mature patterns such as crawling and eventually sitting and standing.

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It can be relevant when looking at posture, coordination, sitting comfortably, upper and lower body coordination and the ability to maintain an organised position while concentrating.

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Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

The TLR is involved in early development of muscle tone, balance and orientation to gravity.

I may consider this when there are difficulties with balance, posture, spatial awareness or maintaining body position.

 

Spinal Galant Reflex

This reflex is associated with early movement around the spine and pelvis.

When exploring this area, I may look at patterns involving fidgeting, posture, body awareness and sensitivity around the back or waist.

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These reflexes don't work independently. They are part of a much bigger picture involving the brain, nervous system, muscles, senses, posture and movement.​ Because of the way that Kinesiology gives the body the opportunity to provide feedback to us, the priority reflex can be identified and supported. 

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How does Primitive Reflex work fit in with Kinesiology?​

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Using kinesiology and muscle testing, I can explore how a client's body responds when particular reflex patterns are challenged.

This helps me find out whether a particular reflex pattern appears to be creating a neurological or physical stress response. From there, further kinesiology approaches will show which support is most required to rebalance and integrate the reflex.

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What happens in a Primitive Reflex Session?

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A reflex doesn't exist in isolation so addressing Primitive Reflexes will be part of a wider session. Depending on what I find, I may explore areas such as visual or auditory processing, cranial nerves, vagus nerve,  jaw and TMJ, nutrition, gut health, emotional stressors or other aspects of nervous system function.

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Using kinesiology techniques, I work with the body to support the reflex pattern towards a more integrated state.

The techniques used will depend entirely on the client and what their body indicates it needs.

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There will be some recommended exercises that you can do at home to support integration.

 

What might you notice afterwards?

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Some clients notice changes quite quickly, while for others the changes are much more subtle and develop over time.

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You might notice things such as:

• Easier movement or coordination

• Improved body awareness

• Changes in posture

• Greater ease with physical activities

• Improved ability to settle or emotionally regulate

• Less physical restlessness

• Greater confidence with tasks that previously felt difficult

• Changes in concentration or ability to stay with an activity

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Primitive reflex work is one piece of a much bigger picture and several sessions is recommended for best outcomes.

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Primitive Reflexes and Neurodiversity

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Primitive reflexes can be particularly interesting to explore when supporting neurodivergent clients.

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Research has found associations between persistent primitive reflexes and neurodiversity, including ADHD, although the relationship is complex and does not mean that retained reflexes cause neurodivergence.

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For clients who experience differences in sensory processing, coordination, attention, motor planning, speech and language or regulation, exploring reflex patterns can sometimes provide another piece of information about how their nervous system is organising movement and sensory information.

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Kinesiology can support the nervous system, helping clients feel more comfortable in their everyday world.

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Could a Primitive Reflex Session help you or your child?

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If you have a feeling that "there is something going on, but I don't quite know what it is", a whole-person kinesiology session may be a useful place to start.

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You don't need to know which reflex is or is not"retained".

We can start with what you are noticing and work from there. Your body will guide us.

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If you would like to talk through whether kinesiology and primitive reflex work might be appropriate for you or your child, please get in touch for a chat.

 

Detect. Balance. Restore.