Feet Reflexes—Plantar & Babkinski
The feet reflexes are important for calming the nervous system and helping with structural, postural, and gait issues. They develop both the muscles and the neural networks in the feet. Retained—also known as unintegrated—feet reflexes interfere with our ability to balance, stand, walk, and run with ease and fluidity.
Plantar: this is a toe-grasping reflex, similar to the Hand Grasping Reflex. In infants, if a finger is placed on the ball of the foot just under the toes, the toes will flex and try to curl around the finger. In typical development this reflex is integrated by 9 months of age.
Babinski: when stimulation is applied to the bottom outside edge of a baby’s foot, from heel to toe, the foot flexes or rotates and the toes fan out. The Babinski reflex supports the full integration of Plantar, and assists with proper belly crawling. It is normally integrated by the age of 2.
Children and adults with retained foot reflexes may have sensitive or weak feet, and avoid walking, running, or balancing activities.
Possible Long-Term Effects of Active Foot Reflexes include:
- Loose, easily sprained ankles
- Excess tactile sensitivity of the feet
- Low muscle tone in the feet
- Toe walking
- Walking with toes pointed inward or outward
- Flatfooted or walking on sides of feet/hip rotation
- Limping if only one side is active
- Poor coordination
- Foot cramps
- Tension in the legs, hips, and/or low back
- Poor vestibular development
Get Your Comprehensive Chart with a Checklist for Each Primitive and Postural Reflex
- Amphibian Reflex
- Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
- Birth and Bonding
- Crawling Reflexes
- Crossed Extensor Reflex
- Facial-Oral Reflexes
- Fear Paralysis Reflex
- Feet Reflexes—Plantar & Babkinski
- Foot Tendon Guard
- Hand Reflexes—Grasp, Palmar, and Babkin
- Headrighting Reflexes
- Infant Torticollis
- Landau Reflex
- Moro Reflex
- Parachute Reflex
- Pull-to-Sit Reflex
- Spinal Galant Reflex
- Spinal Perez Reflex
- Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
- Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
Sources
Blomberg, H. (2015). The rhythmic movement method: A revolutionary approach to improved health and well-being. Lulu.com.
Goddard Blythe, S. (2023). Reflexes, movement, learning & behavior. Analysing and unblocking neuro-motor immaturity. Hawthorn Press.
Masgutova, S. (2007). Integration of infant dynamic and postural reflex patterns: Neuro-sensory-motor and reflex integration method [Training manual].