Primitive Reflex Therapy

Primitive Reflex Therapy is a natural non-intrusive drug-free approach for adults, which works on the underlying causes of problems, such as panic attacks, dyspraxia, dyslexia, social and emotional behaviour concerns, short attention span, inability to process information, phobias, balance and co-ordination.

Many adults struggled as children at school with learning difficulties, despite teaching support. This is where Primitive Reflex integration can be very effective by offering an additional tool to assist adult development.

All academic learning is connected in some way to the functioning of the nervous system. Reading isn’t purely a cognitive task, but requires eye movements to be precise and well controlled. Also, writing involves hand eye coordination with the automatic support of the postural system and, as a child develops this, control over balance and coordination is dependent on a mature reflex system. Primitive Reflex Integration can be a very effective tool to assist development.

If Primary Reflexes are not successfully integrated, what are the effects?

Non-integration can cause us to employ ‘coping mechanisms’ which can sometimes shape and control our lives and emotions in ways that can be quite surprising, but not always useful.

For example, a person with a retained ‘MORO’ reflex may have a very ‘controlling’ personality trait. They may be over-sensitive, quick to react to stimuli such as sound, touch, movement, smell, changes in temperature, environment, light levels and diet. This adopted behaviour is employed to cope with ‘unpredictable’ and ‘overpowering’ stimuli in their surrounding environment.

If Primitive reflexes are left ‘un-integrated’, this can sometimes lead to struggling with college, work and daily life.

What are Primitive Reflexes?

The brain directs automatic, stereotyped movements and responses assisting survival and protection for foetus and baby in the first weeks of life. Involuntary responses to external or internal stimuli such as touch, sound, heat – producing muscular movements and complex responses, involving body movements, breathing, perception and hormonal changes.

Primitive Reflexes all have a useful purpose, but by the age of 2 years old, these should be fully integrated. If still present beyond this, they prevent neurological development and the nervous system remains immature.

Primitive Reflexes and associated problems caused by non-integration:

•  FEAR PARALYSIS: Panic attacks, breath holding, depression, shyness, hypersensitivity, stress, can’t move and think at same time, eating disorders, chronic fatigue.
•  MORO: Panic attacks, fight or flight reflex, nightmares, photosensitivity, don’t like being touched, don’t like bright lights, burn up sugar fast, frequent colds, allergic, controlling, don’t fit in, low self esteem, very sensitive and emotional. Unable to cope with change or excitement.
•  PALMER: Difficulty grasping or catching a ball, poor speech & language, stuttering, purses mouth when working with hands, immature letter writing formation, grips pen too tight.
•  ASYMMETRICAL TONIC NECK: Hand eye co ordination, reading, tracking, spelling, concentration, writing, mixed handedness, can’t cross midline.
•  ROOT & SUCK: Speech problems, thumb sucking, difficulty swallowing/chewing, dribbling, invasion of personal space, relationships problems, sensitivity to cold, closes eyes to process information.
•  SPINAL GALANT: Fidgety, hyperactive, bed wetting, poor posture, poor coordination, poor concentration, poor short term memory, back pain/scoliosis, IBS, doesn’t like being touched.
•  TONIC LABYRINTHINE: Inner ear problems, poor proprioception, difficulty judging space/speed. left/right, up/down confusion, wraps legs around chair leg, fear of heights, poor balance, forgetful/late/slow, disorganised, homolateral walk, motion sickness, sequencing problems, may walk on toes.
•  SYMMETRICAL TONIC NECK: Didn’t crawl/bottom shuffler, messy eater, doesn’t like sitting cross legged, wriggly legs twist around chairs, poor concentration, floppy, poor hand/eye coordination, difficulty copying off teachers school board, doesn’t swim well, stiff neck, one or both feet turns in on walking.
•  BABINSKI: Poor motor skills, coordination, vestibular system, can’t walk or run fast, dislikes wearing shoes, spreads toes to think, may limp, foot problems, foot shuffling.
•  LANDAU: Low muscle tone in neck and back, limited field of vision, tense legs that extend backwards, difficulty with breast stroke.

Factors that can lead to non-integration

Stress, trauma (physical and emotional), injury, disease, inadequate nutrition, drugs, medications, alcohol and environmental factors. These can occur during any of the stages of Pregnancy, Birth, Baby and Infancy.

Baseline Energy Responses

Linked to these reflexes are Baseline energy responses (BERs) which are not emotional, but are triggered whenever a similar experience occurs throughout life. Treating BERs can help in relieving old stresses the body has held onto since the first few weeks of life.

Contextual Primary Reflexes

Reflexes may return in a particular context. A person can test as having no primary reflexes, but when certain situations are addressed they may test as having returned. Situations could be:
• Sitting in a car (if they have been involved in a car accident)
• Being in a confined space (if they are claustrophobic)
• Seeing a snake, spider, bird, or dog (if this triggers an inappropriate response)

The list is endless! These can be addressed using the same techniques.

So if you experience blockages in life or find that the same issues or patterns of behaviour arise time and time again, then Primary Reflex Integration and Baseline energy responses may be worth investigating.

What can be expected during a treatment and who is it suitable for?

Ideally, treatments are given at fortnightly intervals, with number of treatments dependent on how many reflexes require addressing. Occasionally supplements, flower essences and simple exercises may be given to enhance integration.

Due to the muscle techniques used it may not always be a suitable treatment for the elderly, frail and physically challenged. This suitability would need to be assessed and discussed on your first visit. Primitive reflex therapy can also be used alongside other therapies too.

I am grateful for the great work, research and techniques of those mentioned below which have enabled me to carry out this important therapy work. Special thanks to Dr. Sally Prestwich, Sally Goddard, Mary Jago, Sue Morgan, and Dame Diana Mossop for sharing valuable knowledge, experience and techniques.

£50 for a 1 hour treatment or £55 including a bottled blend of Jayjiva Essences to take home

To arrange an appointment, please complete my Contact Form, via the Booking Enquiry button below. I will contact you as soon as possible.