Primitive reflexes - What are they and how can a physiotherapist help with their integration?
Primitive reflexes are a normal and necessary part of development for infants and toddlers. Most of them are integrated (and therefore no longer present) by the age of 2. An example of this is the Palmar Grasp Reflex which is the automatic flexing of the fingers to grab an object when the palm of the hand is stimulated. This is a reflex that is usually integrated into the system within the first few months of life. When reflexes are retained longer than they should be, this can have an impact on our ability to learn physical skills (both fine and gross motor), emotional regulation, and attention and focus.
Physiotherapy can help to integrate these retained primitive reflexes in order to optimize the body’s ability to learn and adapt to the physical, emotional and psychological events that challenge our nervous system. Some of the reflexes our physiotherapists test for most include:
Galant—retention of this reflex can have an impact on posture, coordination, and one’s ability to sit still.
Symmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)—STNR can have an impact on posture (hypotonia), strength, balance, and hand-eye coordination.
Asymmetric Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)—the presence of this reflex can have an impact on motor skills and bilateral limb coordination needed for physical activities, gait, etc. as well as attention and focus.
The Moro Reflex—this reflex can be linked to motion sickness, poor balance, poor coordination, being easily distracted, inability to adapt well to change, and mood swings.
Tonic Labrinthine Reflex (TLR)—retention of this reflex has been linked to hypotonia, toe walking, motion sickness, and poor balance.
Retention of these reflexes can also impact the development of ocular and head movements and of the vestibular and proprioception systems which in turn affect our ability to know where we are in space.
Integration of these reflexes can help with the acquisition of several neuro-motor-sensory skills making their integration an important piece in the treatment of various learning disabilities. At Lifemark Neurologic Physiotherapy, we most often use game-based exercises and education during our treatments to achieve this goal. Primitive reflexes may also be present in children and adolescents who have undergone big life changes, stress, or a trauma. Whatever the case may be, physiotherapy can help with integration!