Primitive Reflex Integration Case Studies

60-year-old improves posture, sleep, and emotional regulation with reflex integration and rhythmic movements from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course.

This occupational therapist experienced anxiety, chronic pain and tension, postural challenges, and difficulty sleeping. He started using rhythmic movements and reflex integration activities from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course, and in just a few weeks experienced substantial changes in all areas.

Submitted by J., Occupational Therapist

This case study is based on myself. I am a 60-year-old occupational therapist with diagnosis of anxiety disorder, elevated blood pressure and also with chronic left shoulder pain, stiff neck and bilateral shoulder tension. On occasion I will have right knee pain and tightness on right my right calf more so than my left calf. I also have imbalance of posture with more right side bending and torsional twist of my lumbar to the right and thoracic spine to left (typical right stance and side bending to the right obliques). My left trapezius is more tense than my right trapezius with elevated left shoulder height. I have always had trouble sleeping due to mind chatter, worry, and anxiety. I am sympathetic driven and also sensitive to noise.

The following are the targeted primitive reflexes [from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course] I integrated based on my concerns:

•     Fear Paralysis and Moro reflexes to address my anxiety and sensitive nervous system
•     TLR [Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex] and ATNR [Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex] to address my left shoulder tension, stiffness in my neck and both shoulders.
•     Babinski reflex to address chronic right calf tightness and right knee pain.
•     Spinal Galant to address postural asymmetry and torsion of my lumbar and thoracic spine.

I would also combine rhythmic movements [from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course] with reflex integration to reduce muscle tension and anxiety. I spent approximately 2 weeks of 1-hour sessions implementing these reflexes.

Improvements after these sessions included: a significant reduction of anxiety, improved sleep, decreased overall tension, and increased postural alignment with decreased left trapezius tension. Cross crawls really helped with my postural alignment as well.

When I put all the puzzle pieces together, it seems that I am a highly sensitive person who is sympathetic driven causing me to have all these bodily symptoms leading to ongoing anxiety followed by bodily symptoms. To deal with my anxiety during general work or meetings, I integrated FPR, Moro, ATNR, STNR within a 5-Step Balance process [from the Brain and Sensory Foundations course], with the goal of listening attentively and speaking clearly during work meetings. Going through the reflex integration process and 5-Step Balance process has proven effective in reducing my overall anxiety, leading to less bodily tension and pain. It also helped clear my thoughts leading to better conversation. I have also used the 5-Step process for better quality of sleep and improved mood. It has also given me more confidence in public speaking and work meetings. Other improvements include improved posture and body awareness.

This process has really taught me the concept of brain and body integration. Negative thoughts will lead to emotional and physical pain. By using the tools in this course, I have now learned how to integrate movements to release stress, promote pain-free movement and create a sense of calm when dealing with others in my professional and personal life. It has also given me the tools to help others overcome their challenges. Thank you Sonia Story.

(Edited, emphasis added)