How Primitive Reflexes Affect Kids and What Chiropractors Do
Every child is born with a powerful set of automatic responses called primitive reflexes. These reflexes are crucial in the early months of life, helping babies feed, move, react to their environment, and begin their developmental journey. Over time, these reflexes should naturally integrate into more mature motor and postural responses.
However, for some children, these primitive reflexes remain active longer than expected—something known as retained primitive reflexes. When this happens, it can affect things like balance, posture, learning, behaviour, and sensory processing.
At Spine Care Chiropractic, we regularly work with families across Mackay and The Coalfields Regions, helping identify retained reflexes and supporting children through gentle, neurological-focused chiropractic care. As your trusted primitive reflexes chiropractor, our goal is always to support natural development and nervous system function so children can thrive.
What Are Primitive Reflexes?
Primitive reflexes are automatic survival movements babies are born with. These reflexes help with:
Feeding
Grasping
Movement patterns
Protection from danger
Early sensory development
When Should Primitive Reflexes Integrate?
Most primitive reflexes begin fading within the first year of life and should be fully integrated by around three and a half years old. Once integrated, children develop postural reflexes, which control balance, coordination, and posture.
If these reflexes remain active, they may affect a child’s emotional regulation, motor skills, sensory integration, and learning.
Common Primitive Reflexes & Signs They May Be Retained
Below are some key reflexes and what retained signs may look like:
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)
What it does: Helps with early hand-eye coordination
Signs of retention:
Difficulty crossing midline
Poor handwriting and pencil grip
Problems catching a ball or doing bilateral activities
Balance issues
Coordination struggles
Moro Reflex
What it does: Baby’s startle response for protection
Signs of retention:
Emotional sensitivity or anxiety
Poor impulse control
Fight-or-flight reactions
Motion sickness
Balance problems
Heightened sensitivity to sound, touch, or light
Spinal Galant Reflex
What it does: Helps baby move through the birth canal
Signs of retention:
Difficulty sitting still (often mistaken for ADHD behaviour)
Fidgeting in chairs
Poor concentration
Bed-wetting beyond expected age
Sensitive to clothing or waistbands
Sucking & Rooting Reflex
What it does: Helps baby find food and feed
Signs of retention:
Speech articulation challenges
Messy eating
Thumb sucking beyond toddler years
Avoiding face touch or tooth brushing
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)
What it does: Helps develop balance and muscle tone
Signs of retention:
Toe-walking
Motion sickness
Weak muscle tone
Poor posture
Balance and coordination trouble
Difficulty judging space or distance
Palmar Grasp Reflex
What it does: Automatic grasping
Signs of retention:
Trouble holding a pencil
Thumb or tongue movements when concentrating
Handwriting difficulties
Speech and articulation challenges
Plantar Reflex
What it does: Supports early mobility
Signs of retention:
Toe-walking
Balance challenges
Clumsy walking patterns
Sensory sensitivity in feet
Why Primitive Reflexes May Not Integrate Properly
Several factors can influence reflex integration, such as:
Premature birth
Traumatic or prolonged birth
Tongue and lip ties affecting feeding
Low muscle tone
Limited tummy time
Emotional or environmental stress
Delays in crawling or walking
Not every child with retained reflexes has developmental problems—but early identification and support make a huge difference.
How a Primitive Reflexes Chiropractor Helps
As a neurological-focused primitive reflexes chiropractor, our role at Spine Care Chiropractic is not to “treat” primitive reflexes, but to:
Assess your child’s spinal and nervous system function
Identify retained reflex patterns
Support optimal brain-body communication
Recommend developmental exercises when appropriate
Collaborate with other health professionals when needed
Our Approach Includes:
Gentle adjustments designed for children
Nervous-system based chiropractic care
Postural and motor-development screening
Functional neurological testing
Reflex-integration support exercises
Our care is gentle, safe, and tailored to your child’s comfort and needs—especially for babies and sensory-sensitive kids.
Signs Your Child May Benefit From Reflex Assessment
Consider having your child assessed if you notice:
Clumsiness or balance issues
Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, or movement
Difficulty sitting still or concentrating
Delays in speech or motor milestones
Toe-walking
Emotional big reactions or anxiety
Trouble writing or copying from the board
Poor coordination in sports or playground activities
What to Expect at Spine Care Chiropractic
When you visit our Mackay or Coalfields clinics, we:
Take a gentle, child-friendly approach
Discuss developmental history
Perform reflex and neurological checks
Provide a personalised care plan
Support you with home integration activities
Our team is passionate about helping children reach their highest developmental potential, naturally and safely.
Conclusion
Primitive reflexes play an essential role in your child’s early development. When they don’t integrate naturally, your child may experience challenges with movement, coordination, learning, and behaviour.
A qualified primitive reflexes chiropractor like our team at Spine Care Chiropractic can help identify retained reflexes and support healthy nervous system function. With the right guidance, many children show improvements in balance, behaviour, coordination, and overall confidence.
Early support leads to stronger development and lifelong benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are chiropractic adjustments safe for babies and kids?
Yes. We use gentle, age-appropriate techniques designed specifically for infants and children.
2. Can chiropractic help with learning or behaviour?
Chiropractic does not treat learning or behaviour conditions. However, supporting nervous system function may help children regulate and focus more effectively.
3. How do I know if my child has retained primitive reflexes?
A proper neurological and developmental assessment at our clinic can help determine this.
4. Do you work with other healthcare providers?
Yes. We collaborate with other healthcare and developmental professionals when beneficial for your child.
5. Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed. You can contact our Mackay or Coalfields clinic directly.
