Understanding Primitive Reflexes: Importance, Assessment & Physiotherapy Approach | Physio360 Chennai.

INTRODUCTION.

Primitive reflexes are automatic, involuntary movements present in newborns, serving as essential building blocks for survival and early development. These reflexes help infants with feeding, movement, and sensory processing. However, if these reflexes persist beyond the normal developmental period, they can interfere with posture, coordination, learning, and behaviour.

At Physio360 Chennai, our team of neurological physiotherapists specialises in assessing and integrating primitive reflexes through customised therapy sessions to enhance motor control, balance, and overall functional development.

What Are Primitive Reflexes?

Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns directed by the brainstem and spinal cord, which are essential for an infant’s survival and neurological development. They are typically active during early infancy and should be inhibited or integrated by higher brain centres as the child matures.

When the brain develops, postural reflexes take over to support voluntary and controlled movement.

Common Primitive Reflexes and Their Functions.

Below are the most well-known primitive reflexes seen in infancy:

1️⃣ Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)

• Appears: Birth

• Disappears: By 4–6 months

• Description: When a baby experiences a sudden movement or loud noise, they throw out their arms and legs and then pull them back in.

• Purpose: Protective response to sudden stimuli.

• If retained, it may lead to hypersensitivity, anxiety, poor impulse control, or balance issues.

  
  

2️⃣ Rooting Reflex.

• Appears: Birth

• Disappears: By 4 months

• Description: Stroking a baby’s cheek causes them to turn their head toward the stimulus and open their mouth.

• Purpose: Helps in breastfeeding and feeding readiness.

• If retained: May cause messy eating, poor articulation, or drooling in older children.

  
  

3️⃣ Palmar Grasp Reflex

• Appears: Birth

• Disappears: 5–6 months

• Description: Stroking the palm causes the baby to close their fingers in a grasp.

• Purpose: Helps with bonding and early grasping patterns.

• If retained: Poor fine motor control, handwriting difficulties, and excessive hand tension.

  
  

4️⃣ Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR).

• Appears: Birth

• Disappears: 6 months

• Description: Turning the baby’s head to one side causes the arm and leg on that side to extend while the opposite limbs flex.

• Purpose: Assists with hand-eye coordination.

• If retained: Difficulty crossing midline, poor handwriting, and reading problems.

  
  

5️⃣ Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR).

• Appears: 6–9 months

• Disappears: 11 months

• Description: When the head moves up, arms extend and legs flex; when the head moves down, arms flex and legs extend.

• Purpose: Prepares the baby for crawling.

• If retained: Poor posture, clumsiness, and difficulty sitting still or concentrating.

  
  

6️⃣ Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)

• Appears: Birth

• Disappears: 3.5 years

• Description: Forward head flexion causes whole-body flexion; extension causes body extension.

• Purpose: Prepares for rolling and crawling.

• If retained: Poor balance, motion sickness, or gravitational insecurity.

  
  

7️⃣ Spinal Galant Reflex.

• Appears: Birth

• Disappears: 3–9 months

• Description: Stroking along one side of the spine causes the baby to flex toward that side.

• Purpose: Helps during the birthing process.

• If retained: Fidgeting, bedwetting, and poor sitting posture.

  
  

Why Do Primitive Reflexes Persist?

Sometimes, these reflexes may not integrate properly due to:

✔ Birth trauma or premature birth

✔ Neurological immaturity

✔ Stress during pregnancy or delivery

✔ Developmental delay or injury

✔ Lack of crawling or tummy time

Persistent primitive reflexes can affect:

• Posture and balance

• Coordination and motor skills

• Speech and language development

• Academic performance (reading, writing, attention)

  
  

Physiotherapy Role in Primitive Reflex Integration at Physio360.

At Physio360 Chennai, our paediatric and neurological physiotherapists focus on:

🔹 1. Comprehensive Reflex Assessment

We evaluate reflex persistence through structured observation and standardised neurological tests.

🔹 2. Reflex Integration Therapy

Therapeutic movements are designed to inhibit retained reflexes and promote the development of mature motor patterns.

🔹 3. Sensorimotor Integration

Includes exercises that combine balance, coordination, and sensory input to stimulate higher brain centres.

🔹 4. Neurodevelopmental Techniques (NDT/Bobath).

Used to retrain movement patterns and encourage proper muscle tone and postural control.

🔹 5. Play-Based Activities for Children.

Engaging activities like crawling tunnels, balancing games, and rhythmic movements are incorporated for faster reflex integration.

Examples of Reflex Integration Exercises.

For Moro Reflex: Starfish exercise – controlled opening and closing movements of arms and legs while focusing on breathing.

For ATNR: Cross-crawling activities to promote coordination between both brain hemispheres.

For STNR: Cat–cow movements to strengthen spinal and postural muscles.

For TLR: Rolling, balance board, and prone extension activities.

How Physio360 Helps in Reflex Retention Cases.

At Physio360 Centre in Chennai, our reflex integration physiotherapy programs are designed to:

• Improve motor control and balance

• Enhance focus and learning ability

• Promote body awareness and coordination

• Support emotional regulation and calmness

Every program is personalised, based on the child’s reflex profile and developmental needs.

Early Identification Matters.

If a child exhibits:

• Poor handwriting or clumsiness

• Difficulty sitting still or concentrating

• Hypersensitivity to sound or touch

• Frequent fidgeting or poor balance

• Struggles with coordination or reading

It could be due to retained primitive reflexes. Early physiotherapy assessment can make a significant difference in the child’s long-term development.

Why Choose Physio360 Chennai?

✅ Experienced paediatric and neuro physiotherapists

✅ Evidence-based assessment tools

✅ Reflex integration and sensory-motor training

✅ Child-friendly environment

✅ Holistic approach focusing on the brain-body connection

Visit Physio360 for Reflex Integration Therapy.

If your child shows signs of delayed milestones, poor coordination, or learning difficulties, it’s time for a professional assessment.

Physio360 Chennai provides the best physiotherapy for primitive reflex integration, ensuring healthy neurological development and improved quality of life.

REFERENCE AND RESEARCH ARTICLE.

1.Primitive Reflex Activity in Relation to Motor Skills in Healthy Preschool Childrenhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8394673/.

2.Primitive reflexes and postural reactions in the neurodevelopmental examinationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2004.01.012