Retained Neonatal Reflexes
Retained Neonatal Reflexes are early-life movement patterns that can remain active beyond infancy, influencing the way the nervous system responds to movement, learning, posture, attention and everyday sensory input.
Primitive reflexes play an important role in the earliest stages of development. They support babies through birth, feeding, grasping, balance and protective responses while the higher centres of the brain are still maturing. As development progresses, these reflexes are usually integrated so that more refined movement, coordination, emotional regulation and learning skills can take the lead.
When neonatal reflex patterns remain active, the nervous system may continue to respond automatically to normal day-to-day stimuli. This can place extra load on the brain-body connection and may be associated with challenges such as poor coordination, difficulty sitting still, clumsiness, handwriting strain, sensitivity to noise or movement, attention difficulties, anxiety around new experiences, or immature motor patterns.
At Norwest Wellness, Retained Neonatal Reflexes work is approached through our broader focus on the nervous system, functional neurology and whole-body wellbeing. Assessment may include gentle observation, movement challenges and muscle testing to help identify reflex patterns that may be affecting sensory-motor integration. Care is then tailored to the individual, using gentle hands-on techniques that aim to support cranial, spinal and nervous system function so the body can move toward better integration and control.
This technique may be considered for children, teenagers or adults where developmental history, movement patterns, learning concerns or sensory responses suggest that retained reflexes may be contributing to the picture. As with all care at Norwest Wellness, the goal is to support the body naturally and help each person move, learn and function with greater ease.