Primitive reflexes are automatic, involuntary movements that are present at birth and typically fade as a baby's nervous system matures. These reflexes are critical for early development as they aid in functions like eating, movement, bonding, and overall protection and survival and lay the foundation for early brain development and lifelong movement patterns. They stimulate and build neural connections that are necessary for brain maturation, postural control, and the development of controlled, voluntary movements.

This early brain development is the foundation for optimal sensory processing, motor coordination, and cognitive functions. We often refer to reflexes as a "circuit" with sensory input information coming into the brain and motor output information going out of the brain. A disruption anywhere along this pathway will cause challenges with sensory processing, motor skills, and overall nervous system regulation.

Reflexive movement responses are designed to fade over time. These reflexive movement patterns are "integrated" into the full body movement system and come under higher levels of brain control. This means that the individual is still capable of performing the movement when they want to or need to, but the movement is not being automatically elicited (outside of the individual's control) by an incoming sensory stimulus. The movement is no longer initiated by the reflex centers in the brainstem and is no longer bound to its original sensory input. The automatic movements are replaced by voluntary, controlled motor skills as the brain matures.

Retained reflexes do not go through this normal developmental process. The reflex centers in the brain remain active and control the individual's movement and responses to the environmental input around them. Active reflexes impact the way the brain processes information. Brain maturation means that higher levels of the brain, like the cortex, are in control of decision making and how to respond to the environment. Reflexes may be retained due to immature brain development, birth trauma or complications, lack of movement opportunities during infancy, neurodevelopmental disorders, or brain injuries.

We often refer to reflexes as a "circuit" with sensory input information coming into the brain and motor output information going out of the brain. A disruption anywhere along this pathway will cause challenges with sensory processing and motor skills. Dysfunctional reflexes are not always just "retained" reflexes. Reflexes may be considered a-reflexive (never emerged), under-developed, hypo-active, hyper-active, or retained. The reflexes may also have developed with incorrect movement patterns that need to be addressed and corrected. Incorrect movement patterns are inefficient, create unnecessary muscular tension, and interfere with proper sensory processing and motor coordination.

These reflexive movements originate in utero. This means that your baby is already practicing their reflex movement patterns (like sucking, swallowing, hands grasp) while they are growing inside the womb. If baby is not positioned optimally in the womb (issues with mom's pelvic alignment or twin pregnancies for example), this can create dysfunctional patterns from the beginning that are carried over into life outside the womb. Stress, illness, malnutrition, and other traumas in utero can also influence how the reflexes develop. Even a healthy birth is a stressful process for baby. Baby uses primitive reflexes during the natural birthing process, and any disruption to this delicate process can cause dysfunction as well. Birth trauma and interventions will almost always cause reflexes to become dysfunctional with some reflexes becoming over-reactive and other becoming under-reactive.

Reflex integration refers to the process by which primitive reflexes - automatic, involuntary movements originating in the brainstem - are gradually diminished and integrated into more mature movement patterns as a child develops. This process is crucial for proper motor development, coordination, cognitive development, and emotional regulation, but sometimes this process gets disrupted creating a myriad of challenges for children (and adults as well).

Due to the neuroplasticity of the brain, it is never too late to fill in the gaps when it comes reflex integration and brain development. Using gentle, hands-on therapies like MNRI, DNS, and rhythmic movement, we can rewire the brain and build and strengthen new neural pathways to help you and your child overcome these challenges. We increase proprioception to help the individual feel where their body is in space. This helps them to feel grounded, centered, and regulated. Proprioception drives motor control. This means that the better you can feel your body from the inside out, the more controlled and fine-tuned your movement skills will be. We also turn off the automatic nervous system responses that create hyperactivity, anxiety, impulsivity, and restlessness.

Simply put, life is just easier when you are integrated. Reflex integration helps individuals reach their full potential physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Retained and dysfunctional reflexes can show up in many different ways. When it comes to everything inside and outside of our bodies, the nervous system runs the show!

Physically, individuals may exhibit poor coordination, clumsiness, balance issues, awkward postures, and difficulty with gross and fine motor skills like running, climbing, and handwriting. Sensory-related challenges include sensitivity to touch, light, and sound, motion sickness, and difficulty with spatial awareness. Cognitively, retained or dysfunctional reflexes contribute to attention deficit difficulties, hyperactivity, impulsivity, poor reading and writing skills, and struggles with concentration and memory. Emotionally, individuals can experience anxiety, depression, frequent emotional outbursts, difficulty with self-regulation, or excessive shyness.

The following symptoms are common manifestations of unintegrated reflexes:

- developmental delays

- torticollis

- breastfeeding challenges

- clumsiness & frequent falling

- poor posture

- difficulty sitting still

- difficulty with balance and coordination

- trouble crossing the midline

- awkward or inefficient movement patterns

- bedwetting

- hypersensitivity to touch, sound, or light

- avoidance of certain textures and foods

- trouble with clothing textures and tags

- seeking excessive movement or pressure (spinning, jumping, crashing into things)

- motion sickness

- difficulty with reading and writing

- poor memory and concentration

- hyperactivity

- impulsivity

- struggle with sequencing tasks

- slow processing speed

- easily frustrated or prone to emotional outbursts

- anxiety

- difficulty with transitions

- low confidence in physical activities

- delayed speech development

- difficulty articulating words clearly

- problems with chewing or swallowing

- oral fixations or aversions

- poor sleeping & frequent night waking

MNRI stands for Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration and is the international gold standard treatment for reflex integration. It is a gentle, hands-on therapy designed by Dr. Svetlana Masgutova that focuses on the integration of reflexes and overall neurological rehabilitation using bodywork techniques and simple movement exercises. It is based on the idea that dysfunctional reflexes interfere with motor coordination, cognitive development, emotional regulation, and sensory processing and that we can eliminate or ease the burden of these challenges with reflex integration therapy.

MNRI uses tactile and proprioceptive stimulation like gentle pressures and stretches to active proper neuromuscular responses and repetitive movement exercises to help the brain re-pattern and integrate reflexes naturally. MNRI focuses on integrating both the sensory and the motor components of the reflex and works by pairing these two elements together for complete rehabilitation of the reflex circuit.

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization is an approach to movement and postural rehabilitation based on the principles of developmental kinesiology - that is baby movements. DNS is based on the observation that healthy infants develop movement in a specific sequence, and this natural process helps to establish proper joint alignment, muscle coordination, and postural stability. DNS applies these principles to rehabilitate individuals of any age.

DNS focuses on breathing and deep core activation as the foundation of efficient movement patterns and postural stability and neuromuscular training exercises that teach the brain how to activate the right muscles in the right sequence and with the right intensity.

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a bodywork modality that aims to improve the function of the central nervous system by releasing restrictions in the craniosacral system. This system includes the cranial and facial bones and the membranes and cerebrospinal fluids that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

The craniosacral system has its own subtle rhythm, separate from the heartbeat or breath, that can become imbalanced. Using gentle, hands-on techniques, we can restore balance to this delicate rhythm and release tension and fascial restrictions in the head, face, neck, and spine.

CST is a helpful therapy for people suffering from

- migraines

- TMJD

- neck pain

- chronic stress

- anxiety

- trauma & PTSD

- sleep disorders

- chronic fatigue

- sensory processing disorders

- birth trauma

- colic

- TBI & concussions

MNRI, DNS, and CST each target different aspects of neurological function and work together to support individuals with neurological challenges by improving both the mechanical and structural aspects of the nervous system as well as the functional aspects.

Individuals with excessive cranial tension and misalignments will have a harder time integrating reflexes and obtaining optimal movement patterns. CST works to remove these barriers so that the body can respond more effectively to the other therapies. Individuals need integrated reflexes in order to properly achieve the developmental positions used in DNS. MNRI therapy lays the groundwork for training in these higher developmental positions. When the nervous system is harmonized and integrated, we can train for optimal balance, coordination, and stability using the DNS positions.

By combining these therapies, we are able to target all areas of neurological function and address the root cause of these neurological challenges.