Session 401: Primitive Reflex Integration Through Neuroplasticity Treatment Techniques

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Session 401: Primitive Reflex Integration Through Neuroplasticity Treatment Techniques Session 401: Primitive Reflex Integration Through Neuroplasticity Treatment Techniques Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT To comply with professional boards/associations standards: • I declare that I (or my family) do not have a financial relationship in any amount, occurring in the last 12 months with a commercial interest whose products or services are discussed in my presentation. Additionally, all planners involved do not have any financial relationship. •Requirements for successful completion are attendance for the full session along with a completed session evaluation. •PESI and all current accreditation statuses does not imply endorsement of any commercial products displayed in conjunction with this activity. Session 401: Primitive Reflex Integration Through Neuroplasticity Treatment Techniques Karen Pryor, PhD, PT, DPT Financial: Karen Pryor is owner of Health Sphere Wellness Center. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. Non-financial: Karen Pryor serves on the Leadership Interagency Council for Early Intervention board. Primitive Reflex Integration Through Neuroplasticity Treatment Techniques Karen Pryor PhD, PT, DPT Copyright 2019 [email protected] 1 Overview Brain development Cranial Nerves Possible reasons for retained reflex and re-emerging reflex Developmental delays affecting reading, writing, math, ADHD, Autism © Mica Foster D.C. [email protected] PRIMITIVE REFLEXES Most appear at birth Tested shortly after delivery One of the primary determinants of developmental delay early on Retained or obligatory reflexes interfere with voluntary movements and development Primitive Reflexes Where to find and elicit primitive reflexes Get to the root of the problems Methods to integrate primitive reflexes advance skills Cranial Nerve function and intervention Tools you can use To reach and treat primitive reflexes - go into the brainstem - by way of cranial nerves 2 Challenges of obligatory primitive reflexes Reduce progression of developmental motor milestone skills Primitive reflexes do not travel alone Interferes with reading, page turning and visual functions, learning Persistence can cause deformities, abnormal movements Medication “manages” abnormal patterns and tone First things first Cranial Nerves Neonatal reflexes Infant reflexes Reactions Primary Motor Patterns ©Mica Foster DC Detour around damaged areas Find out pathways that are working Areas that are not working That’s where we start 3 Neck • Rotation can be restricted by primitive reflexes - higher tone in musculature • Reflex demonstration follows where the eyes look • May be restricted with torticollis • cervical misalignment • tightness in soft tissues • primitive reflex influence Cervical Considerations • Increased tone on one side - restrictions for rotation and integration of primitive reflexes • Plagiocephaly - misshapen head • May have non-symmetrical posture in sitting, place feet under self, lay head on table • Top down development approach • Gentle mobilization of cranial plates • Myofascial release of cervical and cranial musculature Trunk Accommodations • May throw arms and legs over for rolling • Hold to furniture to pull to stand, cruise, balance • Wide base of support for gait, side to side walk • May not demonstrate heel toe gait • Poor trunk stability and balance • Easily fatigue in standing and sitting - lay head on table to desk to rest trunk 4 Treatments • Visual tracking with sound- superior, inferior, medial, lateral, near and far - 1st rotation ability • Vestibular stimulation - rock, roll and swing • Sensory recognition of body 3-D Numb and dumb • Myofascial release to bilateral sides • Unwind cervical and trunk with myofascial stretching VISION DEVELOPMENT RE-DEVELOPMENT - 80% connection Birth – limited orientation to target stimulus 3 months – cortical / vision control eye and head movements 6 months – visual / reach and grasp / integration of near vision and manual actions 12 months – visual / gait control / near – far vision 18 months – speech / integration – vision, recognition, action, speech 24 months – integration, subconscious actions of vision, reach/grasp, gait actions. Able to perform walk and talk VISION DEVELOPMENT WITH DIRECTION DETECTION Orientation - crude at birth, improved temporal resolution 5-10 mo temporal and spatial response improved 6-12 mo. Directional Motion – behavioral discrimination 7 wk initially. Velocity range expands 10-15 mo. Binocular Correlation – behavior discriminations initially 11-13 wk, range expands 15 mo on. 5 TORTICOLLIS AFFECTS MOVEMENT AND INTEGRATION OF PRIMITIVE REFLEXES Rotation is essential for function Required to progress and connect pathways to higher centers From brainstem to midbrain and cortex PRIMITIVE REFLEXES DO NOT TRAVEL ALONE Travel in gangs – usually not solitary May see mixed patterns – depends on where the eyes are looking Eyes are also affected by spastic patterns Catch as soon as possible CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM LEVEL OF REFLEXES Spinal reflexes 1. Flexor withdrawl 2. Extensor thrust 3. Crossed extension 4. Moro 5. Startle ©Mica Foster DC 6 BRAIN STEM LEVEL REFLEX - REPTILIAN BRAIN 1. Asymmetrical Tonic Reflex 2. Symmetrical Tonic Reflex 3. Static Labyrinthine 4. Positive Supporting 5. Negative Supporting 6. Equilibrium reflexes – “yes, no, I don’t know” movements ©Mica Foster DC 17 YEAR OLD - ANOXIC GLOBAL BRAIN DAMAGE Began therapy in ICU with range of motion / specialty hospitals Continued with ataxic movements – cerebellum and basal brain structures, chopped thoughts Poor start and stop motion in eyes, neck, trunk, UE and LE’s Tremors in bilateral hand movements – drawing - Like treats like Plantar grasp + and extension synergies, high tone – gait Integration, “Neutralize the Eyes” and “Numb and Dumb” = heel toe gait MIDBRAIN REFLEXES - MAMMAL BRAIN 1. Kinetic Labyrinthine 2. Body righting acting on head 3. Body righting acting on body 4. Optical righting reflex 5. Protective extension 6. Parachute reflex ©Mica Foster DC 7 ASTNR - MAMMAL BRAIN DEMONSTRATION Children can demonstrate Primitive reflexes under stress, when fatigued or when lifting objects EYES AND VISION Eyes team? Low or high tone in striated muscles of eyes Give sense of 3 dimensional space References to self – 3-D being Spastic or low tone affecting eye musculature? Striated muscles like arms and legs Primitive reflexes are a motor response to a sensory stimulus Change the stimulus Change the response 8 SUCK AND SWALLOW Can affect and enhance head and neck control Assists in linking cranial nerves and bilateral hemispheres Exercise to multiple muscles of tongue Eye stabilization, focus ASYMMETRICAL TONIC NECK REFLEX Anatomy and function - head and neck turn toward object, push away from danger, facilitates body awareness and hand-eye coordination Window - 6-7 months Test - stimulate vision, head and neck will turn toward toy/light Persistence challenges – Difficulty feeding self, handwriting and reading challenges. Resolution – Integration method – fatigue reflex with repeated stimulation right and left with gentle holding of shoulders, arms or lower extremities. ”Numb and dumb” tone in affected side/s. 9 ASYMMETRICAL TONIC NECK May relate to torticollis – birth trauma C1,2,3 locking If present on one side and not the other, indicates increased damage on one side of brain. Torticollis can reduce integration of vision and asymmetrical tonic neck Stress, running can reappear Football player running with ball DISARMING PRIMITIVE REFLEX POWER The eyes control head turning Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex position – work with partner to see how the power changes with eye direction change Change eye direction – Left to right to left Give advanced challenges COMPASS method SYMMETRICAL TONIC NECK REFLEX Anatomy and function – neck and upper extremity flexion and extension in lower extremities. Neck and upper extremity extension and flexion in lower extremities. This is a total body pattern demonstration, move through environment to escape danger. Window - After birth - 3 months Test – have patient look up, down at a light or toy. Persistence challenges – difficulty with looking at school black/white boards and transfer information to paper. Difficulty with walking looking up and down at pathway. Resolution – Integration method – Fatigue reflex by repeated elicitation. Isolate eyes only for stimulation while sitting supported or supine, without allowing body responses. 10 MORO REFLEX Anatomy and function – look up, neck extension and arms throw back to escape Window Prenatal- 4-6 months Test –If infant is stimulated with a 30 degree change in neck extension, it may elicit the reflex. If testing an older child have them look up at a toy and watch for upper extremities coming away from midline and hands beside ears. Persistence challenges – interferes with sitting, standing, jumping, one leg balance, difficulty with 2 handed activities, crossing midline, poor control when looking at objects on wall, blackboard, screens, then to paper on desk. Elicit Resolution – Integration method – work on lower eye level activities in sitting or standing. There will be more cortical connections formed so lower centers are no longer needed. STARTLE REFLEX Anatomy and function – reaction to loud noise, throw into extension to lay low and protect head Window - 4-6 months, may reappear with ACES, Adverse Childhood Event Persistence challenges – Distractible, fidgety, poor concentration, poor performance in chaotic room, may stay in fight or flight Elicit – reaction to loud noise, neck into extension, arms
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