What are Primitive Reflexes & Why Do They Matter?

A quick introduction...

Primitive Reflexes are involuntary, instinctual, stereotyped, rhythmic movements present in the newborn.​ They develop in utero and during the first couple years of life, and are essential for the proper development of postural reflexes necessary for healthy behavioral, emotional and motor outputs in the developing child and young adult.

Why are they important?

Primitive Reflexes that never integrated, or that did integrate BUT became active again later in life, have GOBAL effects on a person, impacting COGNITIVE, EMOTIONAL and/or MOTOR SKILLS.

​Many things can affect a person, causing primitive reflexes to become activated again, including big T and little t trauma (pre, peri and post-birth), injury, disease, stress, pain, exposure to assorted environmental toxins (chemicals, poisons, nnEMFs, etc.), not enough movement stimulation during the first couple years post-natal, and more.

How does RMT help & Who is it for?

Rhythmic Movement Training (RMT) using gentle rhythmic movements replicates those involuntary, instinctual, stereotyped, rhythmic movements done in utero and during 1st year of life and which are controlled by the brainstem.

​These movements provide the INPUTS the brain needs to develop higher-level inhibitory function of the basal ganglia (they inhibit ACTIVE or RETAINED primitive reflexes and integrate these automatic movements into higher level postural reflexes).​

RMT is indicated for people of any age, from birth onwards, and who may have challenges such as Developmental Delays, ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, CP, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Insomnia, Reactive Attachment Disorder, PTSD, Anxiety, Depression, Social, Emotional, Sensory, and Behavioral Challenges, Chronic Pain or improper muscle tone as well as generalized stress and trauma. It can also be effective with challenges affecting the elderly population including vision and balance. 

For more information on this amazingly simple tool, please continue perusing our other blog posts. You can also go to brmtusa.com and check them out. They are the official US distributor of this work.

Until we meet,

Amanda