Retained Primitive Reflexes Assessment Noosa

Primitive reflexes are automatic movements we are all born with. They play an important role in the first months of life and usually fade away (integrate) as the brain matures. Sometimes, one or more of these reflexes can remain active for longer than expected.

At Noosa Sports Chiropractic in Noosaville, Dr Jake Currie (Chiropractor) sees people from across Noosa and the Sunshine Coast. He can assess which primitive reflexes are still active, explain what he finds in plain language, and talk you through your options.

What are primitive reflexes?

Primitive reflexes are involuntary movement patterns controlled by the brainstem. They help a baby through birth and early development, such as feeding, protecting themselves and learning to move. As the nervous system develops, more mature, controlled movement patterns normally take over and the primitive reflexes become inactive.

When a reflex is still active beyond the age it would usually integrate, it is often described as a retained primitive reflex. It has been suggested that factors such as a difficult birth, illness in early life, limited tummy time or skipping the crawling stage may play a role, although the reasons are not always clear.

Some research has looked at associations between retained reflexes and difficulties with coordination, posture, balance and focus in both children and adults. This research is still emerging, and the signs below can have many other causes. They are general information only and are not a diagnosis.

The primitive reflexes we assess

Moro reflex

The Moro reflex is a baby’s startle response. A sudden noise, bright light or a feeling of falling causes the arms and legs to fling outwards, followed by a quick breath in and the arms coming back towards the body. It usually integrates by around four to six months of age.

Signs that may be associated with a retained Moro reflex include:

• An exaggerated startle response to sudden noises or movement
• Sensitivity to bright light, loud noise or busy environments
• Feeling on edge, or finding it hard to switch off and relax
• Difficulty adapting to change or new situations
• Motion sickness or poor balance
• Tiring easily

Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

When a baby turns their head to one side, the ATNR causes the arm and leg on that side to straighten while the opposite arm and leg bend, sometimes called the “fencer” position. It is thought to support early hand–eye coordination and usually integrates by around six months of age.

Signs that may be associated with a retained ATNR include:

• Difficulty crossing the midline of the body (for example, reaching across to the other side)
• Handwriting that is tiring, messy or requires a lot of effort
• Difficulty following a line of text smoothly when reading
• Hand–eye coordination challenges, such as catching or throwing a ball
• Loss of balance when turning the head
• Using a different preferred hand, foot or eye for different tasks

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)

The STNR links head movement with the arms and legs. When the head looks up, the arms straighten and the legs bend; when the head looks down, the arms bend and the legs straighten. It helps a baby push up onto their hands and knees in preparation for crawling, and usually integrates by around nine to eleven months of age.

Signs that may be associated with a retained STNR include:

• Slumping or lying across the desk when sitting to write
• Sitting in a “W” position on the floor, or wrapping the feet around chair legs
• Difficulty copying from a board or refocusing between near and far
• Messy eating or clumsiness at the table
• Having skipped crawling, or bottom-shuffling instead
• Difficulty with activities such as swimming or climbing that need the upper and lower body to work independently

Spinal Galant reflex

When the skin along one side of a baby’s lower back is stroked, the Spinal Galant reflex causes the hip on that side to swing out towards the touch. It is thought to help with movement during birth and usually integrates by around three to nine months of age.

Signs that may be associated with a retained Spinal Galant reflex include:

• Fidgeting, or finding it hard to sit still for long periods
• Discomfort with tight waistbands, belts or labels on clothing
• A tendency to rotate one hip when walking
• Reduced concentration when seated
• Bedwetting beyond the usual age. If this applies to your child, please also speak with your GP, as there are many possible causes that should be checked

Babinski reflex

When the sole of a baby’s foot is stroked from the heel towards the toes, the big toe lifts and the other toes fan outwards. This is known as the Babinski reflex, and it usually integrates between around twelve months and two years of age as walking develops.

Signs that may be associated with a retained Babinski reflex include:

• Walking on the toes, or on the outside edges of the feet
• Rolling the ankles or frequent ankle sprains
• Changes to foot posture or arches
• Clumsiness or difficulty with balance and running

Important: in older children and adults, a persistent Babinski response can also be a sign of a neurological condition that requires medical assessment. If we observe this response during your assessment, we will refer you to your GP.

Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex is linked to the balance system in the inner ear. When a baby’s head tilts forward, the body curls inwards; when the head tilts back, the body and limbs straighten. The forward TLR usually integrates by around four months of age, while the backward TLR gradually integrates over the first few years of life.

Signs that may be associated with a retained TLR include:

• Poor posture, or finding it tiring to sit or stand upright
• Difficulty with balance and coordination
• Motion sickness
• Walking on the toes
• Difficulty judging space, distance or direction
• Discomfort with activities such as going down stairs or looking up and down

Rooting reflex

When a baby’s cheek or the corner of their mouth is touched, the rooting reflex causes them to turn their head towards the touch and open their mouth, helping them find the breast or bottle to feed. It usually integrates by around three to four months of age.

Signs that may be associated with a retained rooting reflex include:

• Sensitivity to touch around the face and mouth
• Fussiness with certain food textures
• Thumb or finger sucking beyond early childhood
• Difficulty with chewing or swallowing certain foods
• Challenges with articulating some speech sounds

Palmar Grasp reflex

When pressure is placed in the palm of a baby’s hand, the fingers automatically close around it. This is the Palmar Grasp reflex, and it usually integrates by around five to six months of age as the baby learns to reach for and let go of objects voluntarily.

Signs that may be associated with a retained Palmar Grasp reflex include:

• A tight or awkward pencil grip
• Hand fatigue or cramping when writing or drawing
• Difficulty with fine motor tasks such as buttons, cutlery or scissors
• The mouth or tongue moving while writing or using the hands
• Sensitivity to touch on the palms

Our approach at Noosa Sports Chiropractic

Your initial assessment begins with a detailed history, including early development, milestones and the challenges you or your child are currently experiencing. Dr Jake will then use a series of simple, gentle movement tests to check which primitive reflexes appear to still be active, along with a neurological, postural and musculoskeletal examination.

Once the assessment is complete, Jake will explain his findings in plain language and discuss whether care at Noosa Sports Chiropractic may be suitable for you. Where appropriate, this may include movement-based exercises and activities that you can continue at home. Everyone is different, and individual results vary.

Primitive reflex assessment is not a substitute for medical diagnosis. We are happy to work alongside your GP and other health professionals such as occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists, and we will refer you on if we believe another practitioner is better placed to help.

Book an initial assessment

If you would like to find out which primitive reflexes are still active for you or your child, book an initial assessment online with Dr Jake Currie (Chiropractor) at our Noosaville clinic, located inside CrossFit Noosa and easy to reach from across the Sunshine Coast.