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.

I'm Back-Summer 2008 and Reflexes

For a while I thought no one could get to my blog and who would read it? Turns out some people do. I will continue this with topics from time to time.

SUmmer of 2008 was very eventful. Challenging Children class with Svetlana Masgutove in MN, Dream workshop with Harald Blomberg.

Svetlana went over the most common diagnosis of neurodevelopment: Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, low motivation, Cerebral Palsy, MR, and aggression. She presented new statistics of the frequency of hyper, hypo and atypical reflexes in each.

In both seminars, Fear/Paralysis is the new discussion point. It seems to boil down to some simple points: 1. F/P is an early pre-reflexive pattern that is not only muscular, but is cellular. 2. It is habituated in the first 3 mo. in utero. 3. It is activated with sensory triggers.
Moro is proprioceptively activated, but later can be sensory activated. So far I have seen no case where a client had F.P but no Moro retention. However, there are cases of Moro without F/P.

This is all very twisty. I often use my own situation to study these two. I had a 100% retained Moro reflex that was activated with proprioceptive, auditory, tactile and visual challenge. I did not have Fear/Paralysis or I worked through it in life. I also had retained Spinal Galant, another core reflex, which is tactilely activated. Sensitivity in sensory channels must play a role in whether a reflex is integrated or stays integrated. This is Judith Bluestone's view, as well.

Harald Blomberg's class on dreams interpretation as body and brain communication was very interesting. I have been asking my clients for their dreams since last year and have many that fit the pattern of the nervous system of the spine, lower brain and prefrontal cortex communicating and trying to integrate. I hope to devote more time for this later.