Stroke Damage Halted by a Tickle

This is some of the most exciting info. I have found in some time. In Dec. 4, 2010 of Science News on page14, a smallish article describes an experiment with a bunch of rats that had been given strokes. The neuroscientist at University of Arizonia in Tucson stimulated a single whisker of half the rats. The whisker stimulation rerouted blood flow in the brain and got it to the stroke damaged area. The end result from 5 minutes of whisker stimulation was that there was no noticeable stroke damage in the rats whose whisker was tickled. The brain imaging show no difference between these rats and an unaffected rat brain. The only caveat is that the stimulation must be done within two hours of the stroke.



Picture from www.handle.org

Although not proven, the scientist see no reason why this might not work for humans. The whiskers relate to the mouth and hands in humans. So Face Tapping, lip and mouth buzzing, Buzz Snap and facial and hand reflex integration could make a huge difference in human recovery from stroke! Hurray for our developmental resources and neuro-plasticity! I hypothesize that this may not be the only neuro-motor trigger for help in trauma.

Viruses and the Brainstem

My daughter sent this article to me with the note: "Proving you right, one study at a time." The article is about chronic fatigue and its link to the murine leukemia virus.



http://http//www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/23/AR2010082304486.html



This is a retro virus that the study found in 86.5% of those with chronic fatigue. Truthfully, this study has not been replicated at this time. However, I think one of the barriers to the analysis is that this virus is not the ONLY virus that can become retro and subtly or overtly attack the brainstem affecting the sensory-motor-reflex systems and therefore the physical and mental health of others.



Last year I met Dr. John Martin, who has worked as a pathologist at U of California on what he called "stealth viruses". He was at the time considered a fear monger and was put on leave at the University for challenging the existing blood reserves.



It has been my opinion for some time that retro or "stealth" viruses could be contributing to the waves of odd, vitality sapping syndromes we see, including, ME, CFS, EBS, and others. They may also, as Dr. Martin suggested play a role in other neurodevelopmental issues including PANDAS, autism and even schizophrenia. Until we find out, keeping our brainstem in the best of health is imperative.

Fear-Paralysis Factors

Many people have asked me to give a course on Fear-Paralysis Response. I have not done this yet, because I have so many questions to be answered that I worry about giving wrong or unhelpful information. The Fear-Paralysis is a response rather than a true reflex because its genesis is in the first 3 months before the motor system is truly online. It appears to be a cellular-tissue response.

For years, we have seen this response in clients who had fetal alcohol (or embryo alcohol) effect or even when other toxicity is present. However, there are always times when it appeared when no toxicity was present. I usually have attributed this to extreme stress in the first three months of pregnancy. Now we have found another contributing factor.

It now appears that issues around the attachment of the placenta can be one such factor. From our case load, it appears that these placenta attachment issues for a time affect the embryo's ability to take in oxygen and nutritients. There are many points around this that I will not go into in this blog, but we will be on the lookout for more case examples.

One of the things that appears common is that these issues can right themselves during the pregnancy and therefore, never lead to outer awareness of the issue in the first place. This makes study difficult and we can only go by meager evidence to be found in other ways such as birth history and that of siblings.

We are hoping that others in the field are working on Fear-Paralysis Response and may be of help to our endeavor.

Off to Seattle to give Big 8: Primary Reflexes and Development on May 21, 22, 23. There's a free 2 hour introductory lecture on Friday evening, 6:30 to 8:30. It is at Lake Forest Park Montessori, 19935 19th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA. Tell you friends and relatives about it!

Gravity, Our First Relationship

First there is Gravity, pushing down upon us to the center of the Earth. We are designed to push back in the tone of our cells, tissues and muscles. Gravity and Tone push and yield in the rhythms of our bodies: breath, heart beat, lymph flow, cerebral spinal fuild, and brain waves. And our reflexes with flexion and extention and contraction and expansion reflect the push and pull of the consistent interaction of tone and gravity. After birth, we have been squeezed and pressed and transformed, ending in the press of gravity, hitherto unknown to us. It is somewhat like coming out of water after a long swim. The gravity feels heavy and cloying, but as newborns we have never felt full gravity. We must work hard to push against it or we sleep and allow gravity let us "fall" asleep.

Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex- STNR

Not too long ago I posted a very short clip of one position of STNR on YouTube. Someone commented that it was "wrong". It shows the "Child's Pose" position of STNR. It is true that this pose is not the first pose in the development of STNR, but it is one stage along the way. Some experts don't even acknowledge STNR and instead consider all the phases to be parts of Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) or may even call it Tonic Neck Reflex (TNR). This arguement shows how sticky it can be to divide a holistic, developmental movement into parts to begin with. (Applause is heard from Judith Bluestone watching from above and Bonnie Bainbridge-Cohen in the East.) However, there can be really good reasons to looks at the developmental pieces of STNR if you remember in the end that it is a developmental sequence.


I divide STNR in my own way. (Those of you who know me are not surprised, I am sure.) Catherine Burns has helped me, as have many others. I label Low STNR when the baby is no longer in flexion when lying on the stomach and therefore can straighten the legs and bend the arms as the head is lifted. So much is accomplished in the position! Yeah for tummy time! The vestibular and visual systems are developed together and the colliculi of the midbrain are activated.

As the baby strengthens and the arms are straightened, the legs bend and the head flexes. This is in the form of "Child's Pose" of Yoga fame. This is a relaxation to the vestibular and organ systems. Many children sleep in this position. As the baby draws the straightened arms toward the core, the baby is pushed onto the haunches in the "Sitting Cat" position. Walking the hands forward, the baby is in the "Table" position or on hands and knees. Next comes the rhythmic rocking on hands and knees, in preparation for crawling.

Throughout as these positions of STNR continue to develop, the cortex is taking control through the motor cortex. As this is mastered, the pattern is purposely broken in the "Cobra" and "Teeter Totter" position, among others.

It's a Hand to Mouth Existence

The relationship in the brain between movement of the hand and movement of the mouth is well documented. Just think of places in the world where people can't speak without moving their hands. The sensory motor cortices (or cortex for the grammatically simple) have large and closely related areas dealing with the sensory intake and motor output of the hand and mouth. At the base of the left motor cortex is the Broca area in the frontal lobe for moving the mouth for speech, right next door is the hand to mouth coordination.

The Grasp Reflex and Babkin Palmomental Reflex are primary reflexes stored in the brain stem. Babkin activates by touch and stretch in the palm and the mouth opens and the mouth moves toward the hand. When I see children with writing issues I usually see a combination of these two reflexes. However handwriting includes more than just hand reflexes and can include differentiation of wrist, elbow and shoulders.

In talks with others in the field, some people combine Babkin and Hand to Mouth Reflexes. Some people combine all types of grasps into the Grasp Reflex. I didn't have much to say except all the relationships of the hand and mouth are complex. But then I had a new experience.

I rarely work with adults in reflex integration for many reasons; the main one being they are harder to deal with. However, a young adult came in to see me with the main issue being compulsive nail biting. I checked Babkin; I checked Grasp. They seemed OK. I was confused. I try a new tact. Maybe elbow bending is the issue with Hands Pulling. A bit retained, but not enough to answer the question. I decide to check Parachute Reflex. Oh my! The client fell toward the wall and caught himself with his hands in the Hanging Grasp. Then it hit me! Nail biting and Hanging Grasp are related if you add the Hand to Mouth Reflex. So Hanging Grasp is not Grasp and Babkin is not Hand to Mouth.

I came up with a handy isometric for both of these reflex and we'll see how these work for nail biters and kids who still put stuff in the mouth.

Triclosan: Our Germ-proof Bubble Breaks

Triclosan is a pesticide that was introduced in 1969. Fast forward to 2010 and it is a nearly ubiquitous antibiotic additive in liquid soaps, hand sanitizers, toothpaste, make-up and even clothes and toys. It has been suspected of disrupting the endocrine system, especially in development for at least five years. And to make matters worse, Triclosan is not removed or filtered out of our water sources and accumulates there, making our water toxic as well. 75% of the population have Triclosan in their urine. Because of the connection to hormone and neurochemical regulation, it is being looked at as one of the environmental assaults that may increase autism. Thyroid issues have also been linked. There are researchers (from the Soap and Detergent Association) who pooh-pooh all concerns. The EPA has stated that recent research raises "valid concern" about the chemical.

One last note: just use liquid Castille Soap for hands, faces, hair, pets, floors, counters, etc. The research states that regular hand washing with soap and water is as effective as our chemical bombardments.

TLR and Vestibular Functioning

I have found that checking the TLR (Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex) is often a way to measure vestibular functioning (gravity sense). However, vestibular functioning can be affected by other movements that do not have to do with the tilting of the head. Sucking on a crazy straw and blowing a faceted bead can activate the inner ear and the vestibular system. Jaw clenching can also stress the vestibular system. Today a client used a crazy straw and did 8 consecutive suck/swallows. A few seconds later, ears began to blaze, which is a state change sign, and he got rather disregulated. It took 20 minutes for him to re-regulate. This client had a strong head movement vestibular measure. Obviously ocular-vestibular activities alone are not the entire story.

Trunk Extension Reflex

As I was doing research into the Trunk Extension Reflex, I came upon this study that links the ability for volitional Trunk Extension and hip stability.

Dynamic iso-resistive trunk extension simulation: Contributions of the intrinsic and reflexive mechanisms to spinal stability
Journal
Technology and Health Care
Publisher IOS Press ISSN 0928-7329 (Print) 1878-7401 (Online) Issue
Volume 15, Number 6 / 2007 Pages 415-431
Subject Group
Rehabilitation & Assistive Technology

As I am always looking for ways to stabilize the hips to improve vestibular functioning and balance, this information intrigued me. Extending the heels and crown and sustaining for a 7 seconds stretch, appears to be one of the most powerful integration tools in postural reflexes, especially for adults. Those with retained ATNR, Moro, Spinal Galant, Perez or a number of other reflexes find that the Trunk Extension stretch is an important addition to their program.

Visit to the Neurobehavioral Dept. of Skokie Hospital

Just back from my quarterly visit to Chicago. Lee Rodin, a HANDLE screener and near-practitioner and I presented at the hospital about the HANDLE Approach. We had 45 minutes to communicate a presentation that usually takes 1 to 2 hours to a very mixed audience. Some of the neurologists were very reserved, but the therapists were much more lively. No one was impolite. Lee presented the vestibular and proprioceptive systems with great wisdom and clarity. The questions at the end were very bread and butter, BUT....we were invited to speak and no one left. To me that signals a breakthrough in the allopathic world.

Here is our first imbedded youtube video. Our two Gomo videos and the Primary Reflex Dance have been chopped up and uploaded. I will be picking ones to narrate and expound upon. Hippy Sitting is one of the activities we do as a homework for Spinal Galant Reflex integration issues. Please comment if you come to watch here!

Tactility: the Ultimate Body Sense

I was reading the new Scientific American about why human developed as hairless and how being hairless led to bigger brains. Although I have not finish the long article, from the neurodevelopmental point of view I can see why this would be true. One of human's unique traits is being able to hold back from acting on the obvious when an authority or teacher is directing otherwise. What does this have to do with skin? Our skin works with our eyes and other senses to form mental rehearsal by the use of what are called mirror neurons. Mirror neurons help us to take on the situation of another and experience empathy. As an example, it is our hairless skin that allows us to feel that someone is "creepy" That feeling would be like something creeping over our skin. Think of how different you feel in early summer wearing shorts and sleeveless shirt after wearing sweaters and heavy pants all winter. You feel a bit self conscious. Self conscoiusness is an awareness of how others see you. Bear skin increases this. Our skin allows us to "feel" more and be more conscious. Imagine being covered with hair and how muffled your skin would feel. And that is the "naked" truth.

HANDLE Principles 2: There is no silver bullet

As the year mark of the passing of Judith Bluestone comes around, I will continue the principles that she articulated and developed as a part of the HANDLE Approach.

There is no silver bullet. There is no "cure" for neurodevelopmental issues. Only through gentle challenges of weak systems can we harness the developmental power that each of us has within our body-brain system. This can move us forward in our functioning.

There are many snake oil salesmen offering the "answer" to autism, ADHD, dyslexia and so on, but although many approaches can help individual systems, no one approach can "fix" these issues. The truth is that we should reframe our search into helping people with their own personal goals that are evading them. A goal might be to talk, to walk or to play a musical instrument.

Nutrition, cranial sacral therapy, speech, OT, PT and many more approaches can give a piece. The HANDLE approach works on the sensory-motor and body senses better than any therapy that I have seen. When I added the reflex motor resources to the mix, I find a powerful tool to help most people make their goals. And this is powerful indeed. Thanks, Judith.

Marietta, GA-Postural Reflex Course Notes

Even with icy weather, a very enthusiastic group it was last weekend! We were very lucky to have in attendence, Max, 18, who has Asperger's Syndrome. He was our very excellent model for most of the activity explanations. During the Parachute Reflex explanation (see below), Max's mom noted that Max had to cognitively learn social space and often overestimates (is too far away) as an overcompensation for coming too close as a young child.
On the second day, many people were feeling changes in their reactions to stress. Many felt peace. Sharron says:
Personally I sense a greater freedom to laugh and relax. I gave a 20 min presentation Monday night on brain integration therapy to a home school group and was not as conscious of apprehension as in other days and enjoyed myself.

The Abdominal Sleep Reflex continued the relaxation and the Trunk Extension Reflex brought everyone back together. We are excited to be offering the HANDLE Intro course on this unique sensory-motor approach. March 19, 20, and 21 is the Big 8: Primary Reflexes and Development on March 26, 27 and 28th.

A special thanks to Rhea Brashear and the gang at Morning Star Montessori for sponsoring these courses.

Viruses have Been Changing Our DNA

This article on viruses is only reiterating what many in the sensory-motor-reflex field have been saying for years. http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-01/8-percent-human-dna-comes-virus-causes-schizophrenia. Many of my aquaintances know that my mother had mental illness and it was labeled as schizophrenia, although other labels were used as well. In one of her letters to her dad, she outlined her hypothesis, truly radical at the time, that her mental issues were from a virus.

Reflexes and Development of Social Relationships

It is widely understood that primary and postural reflexes are a built-in protection to us. They helps us move away from stimulus that may be harmful and protect us from falling. But fewer people consider the developmental benefits that reflexes offer.

Very clearly our sensory systems are functionally refined by our reflexes. Vision, audition, proprioception, and even tactility are drivers of reflexive reactions, as well as being developed through the reflexive movements.

Fewer experts yet see language and social development as an outcome of typical reflex development. Since language and much of social relationship are rooted in spatial concepts, our development of spatial understanding is key to mastering them. When we say, "We get along well.", we do not consciously remember that being "a long" another is a relationship of being spatially adjacent to another. How does that spatial alignment develop?

Some animals imprint on their mother and this establishes their "position" and "relationship" with her. As humans we use much more complex bonding in relationship development. However, some of our humble reflexes work to develop being in sync with those around us. As an example, on of our postural reflexes, the Parachute Reflex, is obviously for protecting us in case of a fall. Our arms reach out reflexively

when we trip. This safey mechanism is also a measuring stick of "closeness" in other social ways. When we "bring someone into our sphere" we are allowing one to come into our proscribed safety zone, and not "keeping one at arm's length". The handshake is the original safety device: dominant hand out (no weapon) and at arm's length.

Different cultures use the arm measuring stick in differing ways, but in the U.S. the preferable social distance is still at arm's length. This is just one of the many ways that original reflexive responses of our brainstem advise socially learned behavior and emotional responses.

8 Postural Reflexes Plus One in GA

I will be giving the 8 Plus 1 Course on this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Marietta, GA. How is this course different from the Big 8 Primary Reflexes? Well, postural reflexes are lifelong reflexes that we have for equilibrium, righting and safety in movement. An example is the Parachute Reflex. Hopefully, when you trip and fall, your arms go forward to protect you. You do not think, "I am going to put my arms out so that I don't hit my head." This is no time for cognitive decision making, the brain stem leaps to the task. If the Parachute Reflex in hypo active and the arms do not raise high enough, ouch, the face plant will be the end. If hyperactive and the arms raise too high in front, ouch, face plant again is the result. Whether you are conscious of this dilemma or not, the brain is aware that if you fall, the results could be serious. This underlying anxiety can change the way we move.

If you can come join us.

HANDLE Principles Part 1

As a new year and decade commence, I will be laying out the Principles of HANDLE as often articulated by Judith Bluestone.

#1 All behavior is communication.

This principle may at first seem obvious, but in everyday life many of us seek to end behaviors before trying to understand what is being communicated. In the case of dangerous behavior, obviously, the first priority must be to safety. But many behaviors of others activate our own behaviors and filters, interfering with us seeing what a behavior could really mean. We assume the meaning is to activate us and this may be true. However, before merely activating a predictable response, the behavior had its genesis in some need to communicate. Always ask, "In the universe of behavior choices, why this one?"

Once in my past life as an elementary school administrator, a second grade teacher reported a student as having disrespectful behavior. I asked (as I always ask), "What did the behavior look like?" She showed me by placing her hands on her hips and head turned to one side. This is a non-verbal that reads, "Oh yeah? Try and make me." However, I was not satified I understood the behavior totally. After reading the school file I realized the the student was nearly blind in one eye and had stability issues. Hands on hips for stability and head turned so that the good eye is on the speaker. Be careful about assuming the interpretation of behavior at once.

Also remember that our own behavior is also communication. Watch "Dog Whisperer" if you don't believe me.

Importance of Vitamin D3 Supplements

One of last year's biggest vitamin stories was the discovery that almost all people in northern climes do not get anywhere near enough Vitamin D3. The RDA for D was doubled and some scientists think that it should be increased even more, especially for children. Vitamin D comes from exposure to the sun and is probably part of the reason one feels so good after time in the sun (sans sunburn). We need to have 40% of our skin in direct contact with the sun for at least 20 minutes a day to get the amount of D3 we need. Living in Minnesota, I can tell you that NO ONE I know can get that amount in the winter. People of African, Asian and Middle Eastern descent need more to fulfill the requirement. The ubiquitous use of sun screen has increased the problem.

Back in the old days, children would get rickets in northern cities, so D was added to milk and it is still there. However, preventing rickets, a disease of malformed bone growth , needs only minimal D for prevention. The D allows calcium to be absorbed for bone formation, but it affects what I like to call the "lesser bones" or tissues that are made of more or less the same material as bones in differing viscosity. Even a little shortage of D3 in the system can effect bones (osteoporosis?) connective tissue( fibromyalgia?), skin (eczemia?), muscle (chronic fatique?)and mood (seasonal depression?).

I know you're asking, "But eskimos live in the north and have dark skin." True, but in their traditional diet they live mainly on fish, filled with fish oil and Vitamin D!