Let's be clear - Neurological Soft Signs (e.g. Primitive Reflexes) are not normal

"Everyone has neurological soft signs so who cares" is all too often the opinion of health care practitioners. This is simply not true.

Approximately 45% of the population has one mild primitive reflex. However > 92% of the chronic pain population have a battery of primitive reflexes of moderate presence. This is the same for movement disorders.

Primitive reflexes do not magically disappear during development. They are inhibited by the development of higher centers / forebrain. The unpublished review by Sean Gibbons & Max Cesana suggests that anything that interferes with the efficiency of the forebrain, can "release" the brain stem reflexes.

What do we know about primitive reflexes for musculoskeletal pain?

• Having PR interferes with normal motor control and coordination
• Having PR interferes with learning motor control exercise or normal movement
• Having PR may interfere with normal forebrain efficiency (and hence greater risk of developing anxiety, depression, interfere with neurocognitive function etc)
• PR inhibition helps normal motor control and movement
• PR inhibition helps postural stability and balance
• PR inhibition helps neurocognitive function
• PR inhibition helps body image
• PR are stimulated by a sensory stimulus. Most are vestibular related and some are tactile

Related Post

https://smarterehab.blogspot.com/2019/12/primitive-reflexes-influencing-motor.html

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