Primitive Reflex Integration Case Studies
OT uses Reflex Integration to Improve Her Quality of Life
Neurodevelopmental movements help with anxiety, focus, posture, and more
This OT used the neurodevelopmental movements from the Brain and Sensory Foundations, First Level course to reduce her anxiety, distractibility, postural issues, and sleep challenges. These tools also helped her socially, by improving her ability to communicate with a friend.
Submitted by S.H., Occupational Therapist
| Before | After |
|---|---|
| Would often feel overwhelmed and stuck, resulting in procrastination | More relaxed, less procrastination |
| Easily distracted | Increased ability to focus |
| Difficulty settling for sleep | Improved ability to settle down for sleep |
| Anxious | Less anxious (even when presented with scenarios that would have previously caused great angst) |
| Neck/shoulder tension, postural asymmetry | Increased awareness of upright posture and decreased neck/shoulder tension |
68-year-old female who struggles regularly or intermittently with the following. Also listed are the targeted primitive reflexes to integrate, based on concerns:
- Sensory sensitivity (vestibular, auditory, tactile) - Moro, TLR, FPR
- Distraction/concentration, anxiety, feeling stuck/overwhelmed - ATNR, FPR, Moro, SG
- Digestive issues - Moro, SG
- Neck/shoulder tension, posture and postural asymmetry - TLR, ATNR, SG, Headrighting
- Fidgety, restless, difficulty settling for sleep, hypersensitivity to touch - SG
After assessing all [Brain and Sensory Foundations course] level one primitive reflexes, and identifying possible unintegrated reflexes, the targeted reflexes to integrate were determined based on the possible long-term effects of each reflex if it were to remain active, specifically:
- Shrunken posture (TLR)
- Neck & shoulder tension (ATNR)
- Auditory overload (TLR)
- Hypersensitivity to sounds (Moro)
- Easily distracted (Moro)
- Difficulty filtering extraneous stimuli (sounds) (Moro)
- Poor focus (ATNR, SG)
- Anxiety (FPR)
- Shallow breathing, increased heart rate, panic-feeling episodes (Moro)
- Feeling overwhelmed (FPR)
- Feeling stuck (FPR)
- Difficulty settling down to sleep (Moro)
- Digestive issues (Moro, SG)
- Fidgety, restless, difficulty sitting still (SG)
- Hypersensitivity to touch at back/waist (SG)
- Postural asymmetry (SG)
Over five sessions of 1 hour each, course tools were used in each session including Brain Tune-Ups, Rhythmic Movements, reflex integration.
Response: Disrupted sleep night after first session (TLR/ATNR integration) - included digestive upset, waking more than x2, night sweats. Aware of the intense and profound vestibular, proprioceptive, core activation, calming input and responses that these seemingly simple movements have.
Improvements after the 5 sessions included: Less procrastination, less feeling of overwhelm, less feeling stuck, increased ability to focus. Feels more like ‘I’ve GOT this’; improved ability to settle down for sleep; feeling more ‘relaxed’, less anxious (even when presented with scenarios that would have previously caused great angst); increased awareness of upright posture and decreased neck/shoulder tension.
The movements gave me more information about myself and what I can do to improve my quality of life. Certain playful activities are helpful for feeling better in body and mind anytime. I use Rhythmic Movement 2B to down-regulate for sleep every night.
A 5-Step Balance Process was incorporated in the initial FPR session. Integration of the FPR was most profound for me.
Initial goal statement: “I am having a mature conversation with my friend and expressing from my heart, and am open completely to listening and feeling and stepping into the closeness and vulnerability. I am feeling close and open and vulnerable, without fear.”
Rewritten goal statement: “I am having an intimate, heart felt follow-up conversation with my friend. Opening and vulnerability are flowing and I am trusting and unguarded with my words, body, eyes. I let my heart in past my force field of protection. I let my faults out into the light.”
FPR Stimulation evoked a very emotional response, kept working through it. Acted out the goal by feeling it and verbally expressing myself with openness and honesty, while making eye contact. Movements [from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course] were used to integrate FPR and I feel like it worked.
Results: The following day, I had a heartfelt conversation with my friend. It was actually very satisfying and freeing and led to resolution of the conflict and greater intimacy.
Going through the reflex integration process, 5-Step Balance Process, and Support Repatterning Sequence created a positive difference in my system. This resulted in change for me, and helped me successfully navigate a real-life situation within an interpersonal relationship. This is a basis from which I can build. I will use this 5-Step Balance Process for other challenges I face.
(Edited, emphasis added)
*Disclaimer: The activities in the Brain and Sensory Foundations curriculum make use of the natural processes of neuroplasticity and development that are innately wired in the design of human beings to promote maturity and function. These activities appear to calm, organize, and mature the neuro-sensory-motor systems just as we see in the healthy development of human infants. Individual results may vary, and we do not claim to offer a diagnosis or cure for any specific condition or disorder. The Brain and Sensory Foundations activities appear to improve overall functioning resulting in measurable improvements for a range of conditions as demonstrated in over 1800 case studies from participants.