The Raw Material for Balance

[Guest guest]

One area that can be tested in relation to balance is the state of

the primitive reflexes. These 'survival' reflexes should be

superceded by the mature postural reflexes by about the age of two. A

number of movements performed by infants help to 'activate' the

mature reflexes at a higher level in the brain. The stereo-typed

movements can be seen in infants across the world regardless of race,

culture and environment. However if these movements are not performed

there may be a number of primitive reflexes left active.

How does this affect balance? The primitive reflexes can interfere

with the processing capabilities of the brain with regard to incoming

data. This can be proved in some cases of dyslexia. A child will

learn to compensate for this as soon as they start to move without

ever being aware that there is a problem.

I was interest in the comments about kids finding it difficult to

chew gum and walk at the same time. One of the essential movements

necessary to start the neuro development process is the act of birth.

The journey down the birth canal requires the baby to extend the neck

and eventually the limbs as the little chap pops out. The increasing

number of births by ceasarian section (moreso in the States) may rob

the child this opportunity. For this reason many midwifes do tip the

newborn back to get the extension but this may not be enough to mimic

the time spent slowly coming through the canal.

For more information on the primitive reflexes and testing see

http://www.inpp.org.uk

If the raw material is not up to scratch, the affect of balance

training will always be limited. It is possible to address the

problem of active primitive reflexes by replicating the infant

movement. Its interesting stuff. It opened up a whole new area for my

study.

Roy Palmer MSTAT

Bedford

United Kingdom