Moro Reflex
The moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is an “involuntary reaction to threat, “ (Goddard, 2005, p. 5). You may have seen this when a baby flings the arms and legs out when startled or if his head is lowered when on his back. When this happens, there is a physiological stress response of the heart pounding, shallow breathing, and secretion of adrenaline and cortisol. This response makes the baby more sensitive to incoming stimulus (Story, n.d.).
Some symptoms of an unintegrated moro reflex are: an exaggerated startle reaction, hypersensitivity to light, sound, or vestibular stimulation. When a moro reflex is retained, the individual will go into his “survival pattern and can react with either paralysis or temper tantrums when stressed due to the shutting down of the connections into this area” (Blomberg & Dempsey, 2011, p. 112). When children have a retained moro reflex, they are always in this heightened state. The effects of the constant secretions of cortisol can also cause allergies and adrenal stress (Blomberg & Dempsey, 2011). This reflex is connected to every sense and is considered the “gateway” for the inhibition of the other reflexes. In other words, if the moro reflex is present, it can be difficult to inhibit other active reflexes.
Knowing if the moro reflex is unintegrated
There are a few things that you can do to suspect if the child has a retained moro reflex or its closely related Fear Paralysis Reflex. Do you classify your child as painfully shy or does he/she have difficulty looking into the eyes of another? Do you notice that he/she is hypersensitive to light or noise? Does he/she suffer from motion sickness? Does his/her pupils seem larger than they should? Does he/she seem to have difficulty with balance? If you answered yes to any of these, then you can be fairly certain that your child has an unintegrated moro reflex. You could also invite your child to do a “trust fall.” Ask them to pretend they are a statue and to fall back and that you will catch them. I always first touch the children on their waist to let them know that my hands will be out and waiting for them. If they are unable to fall backwards, possibly taking a slight step, then that is also an indication of a retained moro reflex.
Exercises to integrate the moro reflex -
The following exercises are those that the child can do independently or with minimal support. Do these exercises for at least 30 days and then re-assess to check for improvement.
a) To integrate the moro reflex, children must engage in the pattern of the reflex. While sitting on a chair or mat, have the student cross her arms and legs and put her head down. On the count of 7, have her gasp for air and quickly stretch out arms and legs. Again, count to 7 and then bring in all the limbs again. Repeat 6 times. My students like doing this on the mat and they throw themselves open pounding the mat with their hands and feet. In the picture below, the student is lifting her head and crossing her limbs while lying on her back. This is actually an exercise that combines the moro with the TLR.
Some symptoms of an unintegrated moro reflex are: an exaggerated startle reaction, hypersensitivity to light, sound, or vestibular stimulation. When a moro reflex is retained, the individual will go into his “survival pattern and can react with either paralysis or temper tantrums when stressed due to the shutting down of the connections into this area” (Blomberg & Dempsey, 2011, p. 112). When children have a retained moro reflex, they are always in this heightened state. The effects of the constant secretions of cortisol can also cause allergies and adrenal stress (Blomberg & Dempsey, 2011). This reflex is connected to every sense and is considered the “gateway” for the inhibition of the other reflexes. In other words, if the moro reflex is present, it can be difficult to inhibit other active reflexes.
Knowing if the moro reflex is unintegrated
There are a few things that you can do to suspect if the child has a retained moro reflex or its closely related Fear Paralysis Reflex. Do you classify your child as painfully shy or does he/she have difficulty looking into the eyes of another? Do you notice that he/she is hypersensitive to light or noise? Does he/she suffer from motion sickness? Does his/her pupils seem larger than they should? Does he/she seem to have difficulty with balance? If you answered yes to any of these, then you can be fairly certain that your child has an unintegrated moro reflex. You could also invite your child to do a “trust fall.” Ask them to pretend they are a statue and to fall back and that you will catch them. I always first touch the children on their waist to let them know that my hands will be out and waiting for them. If they are unable to fall backwards, possibly taking a slight step, then that is also an indication of a retained moro reflex.
Exercises to integrate the moro reflex -
The following exercises are those that the child can do independently or with minimal support. Do these exercises for at least 30 days and then re-assess to check for improvement.
a) To integrate the moro reflex, children must engage in the pattern of the reflex. While sitting on a chair or mat, have the student cross her arms and legs and put her head down. On the count of 7, have her gasp for air and quickly stretch out arms and legs. Again, count to 7 and then bring in all the limbs again. Repeat 6 times. My students like doing this on the mat and they throw themselves open pounding the mat with their hands and feet. In the picture below, the student is lifting her head and crossing her limbs while lying on her back. This is actually an exercise that combines the moro with the TLR.
b) A variation to the description in "a" is to do the starfish exercise slowly to the beat of a metronome at approximately 60bpm. I like to have a cushion or pillow under their backs so that the head will be a little lower than the abdomen when lying down. Each time the child comes up and crosses his arms and legs, he should have the other arm/leg on top. So for example, the child starts with his right arm and right leg on top of the other, slowly on each beat the child opens up and is outstretched on the floor. Wait 7 seconds and come in, this time putting left arm and leg on top of the other. Tuck the head in when limbs are crossed.
b) Using a physio-ball, have the child squeeze the ball with thighs and arms (elbows). Squeeze for a count of 7 while exhaling and relax. Repeat 6 times. I have my small child squeeze his legs and arms around me when he is hugging me for a few repetitions of 7 seconds each, breathing out each time.
c) Have child walk backwards over the physio-ball. Some students will even allow me to flip their legs over. If the ball is weighted with sand inside ("stayball") then he/she can probably do this independently, but if not, assistance will be necessary to ensure that the ball stays in place. Also, watch out for long hair as it tends to get trapped under the ball.
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Here is an video which explains and illustrates an exercise helping to integrate the moro reflex. The Maintaining Brains Everyday DVD Kathy Johnson mentions at the end can be found here. It is a way for parents to gain access to the exercises in an inexpensive way. She has also created apps of this an other exercises to help integrate a variety of reflexes found here.
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Other Integration Methods
There are other ways to integrate the moro reflex that requires special training in methods such as Blomberg's Rhythmic Movment Training (BRMT) and the Masgutova Method. Information on Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training and can be found here. If interested, you can purchase Masgutova manuals and DVD's online as well as access as instructional videos for integrating reflexes for a fee. Bonnie Brandes has developed a protocol to integrate the reflexes with use of a cold laser, which has proven to be quite promising. Information about the use of her protocol is found here and youtube videos posted by Bonnie can be found here.
There are other ways to integrate the moro reflex that requires special training in methods such as Blomberg's Rhythmic Movment Training (BRMT) and the Masgutova Method. Information on Blomberg Rhythmic Movement Training and can be found here. If interested, you can purchase Masgutova manuals and DVD's online as well as access as instructional videos for integrating reflexes for a fee. Bonnie Brandes has developed a protocol to integrate the reflexes with use of a cold laser, which has proven to be quite promising. Information about the use of her protocol is found here and youtube videos posted by Bonnie can be found here.
Works Cited
Goddard, S. (2005). Reflexes, learning and behavior: A window into the child’s mind. Eugene: Fern Ridge Press.
Story, S. Getting to the Core of Sensory Issues. Retrieved from www.moveplaythrive.com on 5/1/2013.
Blomberg, H. & M. Dempsey. (2011). Movements that Heal. Queensland: Book pal.
Goddard, S. (2005). Reflexes, learning and behavior: A window into the child’s mind. Eugene: Fern Ridge Press.
Story, S. Getting to the Core of Sensory Issues. Retrieved from www.moveplaythrive.com on 5/1/2013.
Blomberg, H. & M. Dempsey. (2011). Movements that Heal. Queensland: Book pal.