Primitive reflexes are the brain’s earliest movement patterns, automatic responses that help babies survive, develop, and connect. When these reflexes don’t fully integrate, they can continue to influence posture, focus, emotions, and learning. At Heal Thyself Institute, we assess which reflexes are still active and create a plan to help the brain mature those patterns so daily life feels easier.
Our approach supports children and adults. For kids, integration can improve attention, coordination, sensory comfort, and learning readiness. For teens and adults, it can ease tension, enhance balance and eye movements, and support emotional regulation, especially after stress, concussion, or long-standing challenges.
Integration starts with clarity. We begin by observing posture, balance, eye movements, and reflex responses to understand how the brain and body are communicating. From there, we design a progression of gentle, targeted activities that nudge the nervous system toward more mature patterns, without forcing or fatiguing.
Sessions are calm, playful, and individualized. We blend reflex specific movements with vestibular (balance), ocular (eye), and midline crossing activities, plus breathing and vagus nerve support strategies to keep the system regulated. When helpful, we layer in co-activation (pairing modalities like light vibration or red light) to reinforce new connections.
Parents and adult clients leave with simple at-home routines, clear reps, frequency, and video support, so progress continues between visits. We adjust the plan as the nervous system changes, always aiming for sustainable, real-life gains.
They’re automatic movement patterns present at birth that support survival and early brain development. As the brain matures, they should integrate; when they don’t, they can affect learning, posture, attention, and emotions.
Common signs include poor tolerance to startle, motion sensitivity, “W-sitting,” messy handwriting, skipping lines when reading, toe walking, bedwetting, or chronic fidgeting. Adults may notice neck/shoulder tension, motion sickness, or difficulty with focus under stress.
Yes, adults often see improvements in balance, eye tracking, neck tension, and stress resilience. The brain remains capable of change throughout life.
Most families notice early wins in a few weeks, with steady gains over 8–16 weeks as the nervous system practices new patterns. Timelines vary based on goals, frequency, and consistency with home routines.
When reflexes are slow to integrate, it’s often a sign the brain is still under stress or missing key support. We look beyond the exercises to uncover why the nervous system isn’t progressing as expected.
Using a functional medicine approach, we may explore deeper root causes such as nutrient deficiencies, inflammation, gut or immune imbalance, chronic infections, or environmental stressors like mold or toxins. We also review diet, eating patterns, and lifestyle to ensure the brain and body have what they need to regulate and grow.
