What Are Primitive Reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns babies are born with. Controlled by the lower brain and brainstem, they help infants:
- Survive and grow in the first months of life (feeding, bonding, protection)
- Develop movement needed to roll, crawl, and eventually walk
- Transition from horizontal to vertical — lifting the head, moving against gravity, and preparing the brain for upright posture and balance
These reflexes are meant to be temporary. By about 12 months, they should integrate (turn off) so higher brain areas can take over.
The Neurodevelopmental Pyramid
Primitive reflexes lay the foundation for higher stages of brain development. Each stage builds on the one before:
- Primitive Reflexes – newborn survival movements, foundation of neurology
- Vestibular System – balance, spatial awareness, coordination
- Ocular Control – eye movements, tracking, reading readiness
- Cognition & Language – focus, memory, emotional regulation, learning
👉 If primitive reflexes remain active, they interfere with the next stages. This can stall vestibular, ocular, and cognitive/language development, making learning and regulation harder.
What Happens if Primitive Reflexes Don’t Integrate?
When reflexes stay “switched on,” the nervous system is stuck in a survival mode. This may look like:
- Difficulty with balance and posture
- Delayed crawling or walking milestones
- Trouble with reading, writing, or eye tracking
- Sensory sensitivities (touch, sound, light)
- Poor focus or hyperactivity
- Emotional dysregulation (big reactions, easily frustrated)
- Bedwetting or sleep challenges
Because the brain is still prioritizing primitive survival patterns, higher brain functions like attention, self-regulation, and language have less energy and organization available.
The Nervous System Connection
From a neurophysiological and bioneurological perspective:
- Retained reflexes keep the nervous system in “stress mode” instead of calm adaptability.
- They create abnormal muscle tone and poor postural control.
- They reduce efficiency of sensory integration (how the brain processes balance, vision, and body awareness).
- They interfere with the natural progression of child neurodevelopment.
How Chiropractic Care & Reflex Work Help
At The Wellness Path, we support integration through a two-fold approach:
- Gentle Chiropractic Adjustments → Restore proper communication between the brain and body, calming the nervous system and improving adaptability.
- Primitive Reflex Integration Exercises → Targeted movements that help the brain “turn off” retained reflexes and unlock the next stages of development.
What Parents Notice After Care
When reflexes integrate and the nervous system balances, children often experience:
✅ Calmer behavior & better moods
✅ Improved sleep and focus
✅ More confidence in movement and coordination
✅ Easier time with reading, writing, and learning
✅ A child who feels safe, adaptable, and ready to thrive
✨ Primitive reflexes are the foundation. When they integrate, the brain is free to grow, learn, and adapt as it was designed.