The Hidden Wisdom of Infant Reflexes: Why Primitive Movements Matter for Lifelong Health
- Orie Quinn
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
It’s one of life’s simplest joys—watching a newborn grasp your finger, turn their head toward your touch, or flail their arms in a tiny startle. But behind these seemingly random movements lies a world of neurological wisdom. These are primitive reflexes, deeply ingrained patterns gifted to us by nature to help us survive, develop, and integrate into the world.
As a chiropractor and holistic clinician, I see these reflexes not just as milestones to check off a pediatric chart—but as foundational layers of the nervous system. When they’re intact and integrate properly, they set the stage for movement, learning, emotional regulation, and even gut-brain communication. When they don’t? Well, the ripple effects can show up decades later in surprising ways.
What Are Primitive Reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are automatic, involuntary movements present in infants that originate in the brainstem. These reflexes help babies navigate early life—supporting feeding, bonding, movement, and protection. They emerge in utero, are fully present at birth, and are supposed to fade as the brain matures and higher motor centers take over. But sometimes they linger.
When a reflex is retained beyond its useful window, it can interfere with the development of motor skills, posture, attention, emotional regulation, and more. This is where understanding and evaluating primitive reflexes becomes vital—not just in pediatrics, but in treating adults with unresolved neurological tension, trauma, or developmental delays.
Key Primitive Reflexes to Know
Rooting Reflex Stimulating the cheek causes the baby to turn toward the touch—an essential reflex for breastfeeding. Integrates around 3–4 months. Retention may lead to hypersensitivity around the face or poor manual dexterity.
Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex) A sudden change in position or loud sound causes the baby to fling out their arms, then retract them. Integrates around 4–6 months. Retained Moro can contribute to anxiety, sensory overload, or emotional reactivity.
Palmar Grasp Reflex Touching the palm causes the baby to grip tightly. Integrates around 5–6 months. Retention may affect fine motor skills, handwriting, and tool use.
Plantar Reflex & Babinski Response Stroking the foot elicits toe movement—important for future walking mechanics. Babinski resolves by 12 months.
Persistence may indicate neurological immaturity.
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) Head position triggers whole-body flexion or extension patterns. Integrates by 3.5 years.
Retention may cause poor balance, motion sickness, or postural challenges.
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) Turning the head causes extension on one side and flexion on the other. Integrates around 6 months.
Can contribute to coordination issues, reading difficulties, or poor eye tracking.
Spinal Galant, Landau, and Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflexes (STNR)
These help with crawling, posture, and core development.
Retention may manifest in bedwetting, fidgeting, or delays in gross motor development.
Why This Matters—Even for Adults
It’s easy to think of these as “baby stuff,” but reflexes that aren’t properly integrated can show up years later as learning disabilities, chronic tension, balance issues, or anxiety. I’ve worked with teens and adults who were labeled clumsy, anxious, or inattentive—only to find that beneath the surface, a few lingering reflexes were hijacking their nervous system.
And here’s the empowering part: we can retrain the brain. Through movement therapy, cranial work, chiropractic adjustments, and targeted reflex integration techniques, we can help the body complete these old patterns. It’s like finishing a sentence that was cut off mid-thought.
Signs a Primitive Reflex May Be Retained:
Poor posture or slouching at the desk
Difficulty reading, writing, or focusing
Sensory sensitivities or motion sickness
Anxiety or exaggerated startle response
Clumsiness, frequent falls, or poor coordination
Bedwetting or difficulty potty training in older children
What Can Be Done?
At Ozark Holistic Center, we assess primitive reflexes during pediatric visits, especially when there are concerns about development, behavior, or regulation. But we also screen for them in adults—especially those with trauma histories, nervous system dysregulation, or chronic tension patterns.
A typical treatment plan might include:
Gentle craniosacral or cranial therapy
Chiropractic adjustments to support brain-body integration
Reflex integration exercises tailored to the specific reflex
Muscle testing to track neurological compensation
Parent education on at-home support
The Bottom Line: Primitive doesn’t mean unimportant. These early reflexes are the scaffolding of our nervous system. When they work well, we build strong foundations. When they linger, they quietly interfere. Thankfully, the body always offers us a chance to circle back and complete what wasn’t finished.
Curious if retained reflexes might be influencing your child’s development—or your own health story? Schedule a neuro-assessment with us today. Your nervous system may be ready to complete the next chapter.
Comments