The Missing Piece You’ve Been Searching For: Primitive Reflex Integration in Broomfield
If your child melts down over tags in shirts…
If they still toe-walk at age 7…
If handwriting looks painful and reading feels like running uphill…
If you, as an adult, still startle at every loud noise or feel “clumsy for no reason”…
You’re not failing. The brain is simply stuck in survival mode.
Primitive reflexes are automatic movements babies are born with to help them survive birth and the first year of life. They’re supposed to disappear as higher brain centers take over. When they don’t, they silently sabotage posture, focus, coordination, emotions, and learning—for life.
At Top of the Line Chiropractic in Broomfield, we specialize in finding and integrating these retained reflexes so kids (and adults!) can finally move, learn, and feel calm the way nature intended.
Parents searching “why is my child so sensitive,” “bedwetting after age 6,” or “natural ADHD help Broomfield” land here and finally get answers.
The 7 Primitive Reflexes We Test (And the Everyday Struggles They Cause)
These early survival reflexes should disappear by age 1–3. When even one lingers, it acts like a neurological “handbrake” on development, focus, movement, and emotional regulation. They’re not “bad habits”—they’re brain-based roadblocks.
Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)
- Anxiety or big emotional reactions to small things
- Sensitivity to loud noises, bright lights, or tags/textures
- Car sickness or motion intolerance
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Jumping or freezing at sudden surprises
ATNR – Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (the “fencer” reflex)
- Trouble using both hands together (crossing the midline)
- Messy or painful handwriting
- Skipping lines or losing place while reading
- Awkward running, kicking, or sports performance
- Head tilting when writing or reading
STNR – Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex
- Classic “W-sitting” or slumping over desk
- Poor coordination between upper and lower body
- Difficulty with stairs, swimming, or crawling games
- Trouble sitting still in a chair
- Clumsy jumping jacks or skipping
TLR – Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (forward/backward head tilt reflex)
- Toe-walking or stiff “robot” posture
- Poor balance or frequent tripping
- Motion sickness, fear of heights, or dislike of swings
- Gets carsick easily
- Dislikes having head tipped back (hair washing, dentist)
Spinal Galant Reflex
- Extremely fidgety—can’t sit still in a chair
- Bedwetting past age 5–6
- Irritated by clothing around waist (tags, belts, tucked shirts)
- Ants-in-the-pants feeling during circle time or meals
Sensitive lower back or hips
Palmar Reflex (grasping reflex in the hand)
- Weak or awkward pencil grip
- Speech delays or articulation issues (hand-mouth connection)
- Dropping things easily or trouble with buttons/zippers
- Messy eating or trouble using utensils
Frustration with crafts or small toys
Plantar Reflex (grasping reflex in the foot)
- Toe-walking or walking on tiptoes
- Flat feet or “clumsy” walking pattern
- Frequent tripping or ankle rolling
- Difficulty with shoes or socks (feels weird on feet)
- Poor performance in dance, gymnastics, or soccer
These reflexes are tested in every initial exam (kids and adults!) using simple, gentle positions—takes just minutes and gives us the roadmap to real, lasting change.
Ready to take the first step toward better health?
Contact us for your free 15 min consultation
Functional Neurology Form
How We Test Primitive Reflexes (Simple, Gentle, and Eye-Opening)
We use standardized, play-based positions and grade each reflex on a 0–4 scale (0 = fully integrated, 4 = strongly retained).
Examples:
- Moro → Sudden head drop backward → arms fling out = positive
- ATNR → Turn head to one side while on back → opposite arm straightens dramatically = positive
- Spinal Galant → Light stroke along spine → hips swing toward touch = positive
Parents are always in the room. Most say, “I can’t believe I’m finally seeing why this has been so hard.” We re-test every single visit—progress photos and videos are our favorite part.
Our Proven Order of Integration (So You Don’t Overwhelm the Brain)
- Core & Postural Reflexes First (TLR, STNR, Spinal Galant) – builds the foundation
- Moro – calms the nervous system
- ATNR & Hand Reflexes – unlocks handwriting, reading, and fine motor skills
- Higher-Level Therapies – only after reflexes calm down (vestibular, oculomotor, timing)
We never rush. Adding too much too soon is the #1 reason other programs fail.
Therapies That Supercharge Reflex Integration
Early (calming Moro)
- Low-Level Cold Laser
- Gentle rocking
- Neurosage
- Mid (posture & core)
Whole-Body Vibration
- Therapy ball exercises
- Cross-crawl patterns
Asymmetries (ATNR)
- Eye Lights (different colors/sides)
- One-sided laser
- Mirror work
Timing & coordination
- Interactive Metronome
- Rhythm games
- Metronome clapping
We choose based on your unique reflex profile—nothing is one-size-fits-all.
Home Exercises: The Secret Sauce
- Time: 10–15 minutes, 3× daily (yes, really—consistency is magic)
- Style: Turned into games (star charts, stickers, high-fives, apps like Habitica or Reflex-specific apps)
- Examples: “Snow angels” for Moro, “Superman” for TLR, “Spider crawls” for STNR
The families who do them religiously see full integration in 3–9 months instead of years.
What Changes First (And How Fast)
1–3 weeks
- Less startle
- Calmer reactions
- Sits longer without wiggling
4–8 weeks
- Smoother eye tracking
- Better pencil grip
- Fewer meltdowns
3–6 months
- Handwriting improves
- Reading fluency jumps
- Bedwetting stops
6–12 months
- Reflexes grade from 0–1
- Progression to higher-level therapies
- Noticeable academic and sports gains
Adults (same general windows)
- Reduced anxiety
- Better sleep
- Less clumsiness
How We Know a Reflex Is Truly Integrated
- Grade 0–1 on testing
- No compensatory movements
- Functional change (child sits still, adult no longer flinches at loud noises)
Some reflexes become “compensated” (quiet but not perfect). We only call it “resolved” when the brain no longer needs the old survival pattern.
Safety & When We Adjust the Plan
Reflex work can briefly increase sensitivity (that’s the brain rewiring). We slow down or modify if:
- Child becomes too dysregulated
- Adult experiences excessive fatigue
- Any new red-flag symptom appears (we refer immediately)
We also coach on:
- Reducing screen time & blue light
- More floor play & barefoot time
- Lower sugar/artificial dyes
- Daily cross-crawl games (even for adults!)
The Simple Science Parents Love
Think of your brain like a city map.
- Primitive reflexes are old dirt roads the brain used as a baby.
- When they stay active, the brain keeps taking slow, bumpy backroads instead of the new highways it built.
Our job? Gently close the dirt roads so the brain naturally chooses the faster, smoother pathways.
That’s why kids suddenly “just get it” after integration.
FAQs About Primitive Reflex Integration in Broomfield
Never. The brain remains plastic. Teens see huge gains in sports, focus, and emotional regulation.
Sometimes briefly (like after a good workout). We teach you how to pace it so wins outweigh wobbles.
OT is incredible for skills. We go deeper—we turn off the neurological interference so skills develop naturally.
Yes! Many adults discover retained Moro or ATNR is behind lifelong anxiety, clumsiness, or poor posture.
Bedwetting often resolves in 8–16 weeks when Spinal Galant integrates. Handwriting can improve dramatically in 6–12 weeks.
Ready to Close the Dirt Roads for Good?
Imagine:
- Your child reading an entire page without skipping lines
- Sitting through a restaurant meal without wiggling out of the chair
- No more tears over seams in socks
- You (or your child) finally feeling calm in a crowded room
That future starts with one simple assessment.
Book your Primitive Reflex Screening today – many families see the “aha” moment in the very first visit.