A primitive reflex is an instinctive, fast, automatic, uncontrolled, and unplanned muscle movement designed to emerge in a systematic order to construct and integrate specific parts of the nervous system before inhibiting and paving the way for more sophisticated neural processes and more mature behaviour.
Primitive reflexes remain poised to re-emerge, develop and repair established neural pathways when impacted by illness, injury, or trauma through:
Neurogenesis: the generation and integration of new neurons into the central nervous system.
Neuronal migration: the movement of millions of neurons from their places of origin to specific locations within the central nervous
Synaptogenesis: the formation of synapses, which are crucial for transmitting information between neurons.
Neural pruning: the removal of redundant or unnecessary synaptic connections, a process essential for refining neural circuitry.
Myelination: the formation of the myelin sheath around a nerve , which protects and enhances the speed of signal transmission between neurons (action potentials).
At the Mind Moves Institute, we specialise in optimising neuroplasticity -the innate capacity of people of all ages to adapt and learn. Drawing inspiration from natural solutions, we apply these principles to human engineering by:
- Assessing selected primitive reflexes: This step involves evaluating specific primitive reflexes in individuals.
- Optimizing selected primitive reflexes to develop neural circuits: Here, the focus is on enhancing and refining these primitive reflexes to facilitate the development of neural pathways.
- Mimicking reflexive movement to integrate and inhibit selected primitive reflexes: This step involves using reflexive movements to stimulate, integrate and inhibit certain primitive reflexes, a process referred to as Mind Moves.
The Mind Moves approach allows us to acknowledge that the persistence of primitive reflexes in individuals diagnosed as neuroatypical highlights the complexity of neural development and the potential impact on their behaviour, skills and overall functioning. Understanding and addressing these primitive reflexes can be crucial in developing tailored interventions to support individuals with neuroatypical conditions. By employing targeted movements to enhance the foundational aspects of human development, we have observed measurable improvements in neural functioning and overall well-being, irrespective of age.
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