What are Primitive Reflexes?

There are many types of reflexes involved in the protection and management of the human nervous system, each initiating a response to a stimulus without thought or planning.

One group, the primitive reflexes, also known as infant, primary, survival or neonatal, are a cluster of reflexes the primitive reflexes, initiate in-utero and integrating within the first year.

Each primitive reflex is readily identified by it’s specific automatic motor (movement) response  in reaction to a sensory stimulation. They have the most influence of our immature nervous system  in the first months after birth, primarily to support the meeting of an infants needs as it adapts to a new dry environment after birth.

Every movement we make is formed from the remnants of innate movement patterns, laid down by a group of reflexes, referred to as Primitive Reflexes.

Over the coming weeks we will look at a number of the primitive reflexes and their   influence our developing neural networks.

Each primitive reflex, has a role to play in the organisation and maturation of a baby’s underdeveloped nervous system – ability to attend, move, regulate emotions, learn and establish postural stability are just some areas .

We will explore the impact of retained primitive reflexes beyond there optimum “use by date” on our physical, emotional and social well being and our ability to reach our true potential.