Blog Layout
How retained reflexes can impact childhood development
Samantha Campbell • Feb 15, 2020
How Retained Reflexes Can Impact Childhood Development
Reflexes play an important part in the way our bodies develop. Last week, I took some time away from the clinic to develop my own skills in recognising and addressing retained reflexes.
After a short period out of clinic, last week was a case of “back with a bang” for me, and back to a full list of patients on my clinic days, followed by a four day course on retained reflexes in children.
Reflexes are developed as we develop in the womb to help us as part of our development and survival. Some are with for a certain stage of development and then fall away, such as the Palmar reflex. An example of this is when you stroke the palm of a newborn baby, it will grasp your finger.
Some reflexes are carried forward into adulthood, such as the “knee jerk” or patellar reflex. An example of this is when you tap below the kneecap, your lower leg involuntarily kicks forward.
As infants grow and develop, reflexes are integrated into the neural system. If they’re not integrated into the system properly, that can prevent adult reflexes from forming normally, potentially causing other issues. These are usually related to coordination and can play a part in poor handwriting, poor concentration, inability to sit still and lack of motor skills.
I’ve seen a couple of examples of this in clinic recently:
- One child I saw was struggling to hold cutlery. By pressing on the palm of one hand, then the other, I noted his mouth would open, suggesting a retained Babkin reflex. This reflex is believed to be for when they grip their mother as an infant. When they do this, they open their mouth as if to latch on to feed.
- Another child came in with a retained asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR). This reflex can be seen when an infant turns their head towards one arm. The arm they are looking towards straightens and the opposite arm bends - think Usain Bolt celebrating a world record! She would write with the paper a long way away from her body and her head on the desk, resulting in poor handwriting compared with her classmates.
In both of these examples, we were able to help integrate the reflexes through a series of exercises and hands on treatment.
After a rather dreary April, we're still hoping that Spring is on its way. However, we're here with the latest news from the team to brighten your day!
Plantar fasciitis, a common foot ailment characterised by inflammation of the plantar fascia,
presents significant challenges due to its painful symptoms, notably sharp sensations in the heel, particularly evident during the morning or after extended periods of standing or walking. Despite its discomfort, various treatment options exist, including massage therapy and chiropractic care. This blog delves into the nuanced ways in which these therapies contribute to pain relief and healing for individuals grappling with plantar fasciitis in the UK.
Spring is almost here! Slightly later than usual, here's the latest news from the team at Kube Medical.
Kube Medical has joined forces with three local young athletes to help them achieve their goals. The successful applicants will benefit from the expert care at the clinic to reach peak performance in their sports over the year ahead. They include a Swindon Town FC player, an international standard swimmer and aspiring youth sailor.
Indian Head Massage, a therapeutic practice with ancient roots in Ayurvedic tradition, has traversed centuries to become a popular modality in the holistic health community worldwide. Known for its unique approach to alleviating stress and promoting well-being through focused massage on the head, neck, and shoulders, this technique offers a myriad of benefits, alongside considerations worth noting. Drawing upon research and studies, including those indexed on PubMed, this blog explores the scientifically-backed benefits and potential risks associated with Indian Head Massage.
Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!
Sciatica is a condition that causes pain that starts in your lower back and travels down one or both of your legs. It happens when something puts pressure on or irritates the sciatic nerve, which is a large nerve that runs from your lower back down the back of each leg.
Are you an aspiring professional or international athlete in the Swindon area? Join Team Kube.
All the latest news from Kube Medical in February 2024
Kube Medical, a Swindon-based healthcare clinic, is delighted to announce its successful registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). This marks a significant milestone in the clinic's commitment to providing high-quality health and wellbeing services. The registration enables Kube Medical to offer private intravenous blood tests for diagnostic purposes.
Quick Links
Contact Details
Mon-Fri
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sat 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Address
Nexus Business Centre, Darby Close, Swindon, SN2 2PN
Company Reg No. 6706073
Copyright © 2024 Kube Medical Limited. All Rights Reserved.