I am pleased to be offering Reflex Stimulation as an essential component of rehabilitation and movement re-education. Reflex Stimulation evokes Global Patterns in the central nervous system (CNS) in which the entire muscular system is involved in a well-defined and coordinated way.
Reflex Stimulation;
- improves motor and sensory function
- improves/restores body perception and cortical map of the body
- teaches the brain how to activate ideal stereotype of stabilisation and breathing
- will also affect smooth muscles and organ health
The areas of the body that are stimulated are zones of support, which form the basis of upright posture. Central motor programs are closely linked to support zones as they are encoded in our brain for uprightness during development through our lifespan. Anatomically, the zones of support are areas of attachment for multiple muscles, tendons and ligaments. The zones of support are the fixed point from where the pull of muscular chains is anchored. Therefore they are a point of ‘confluence’ for movement to occur.
Reflex Stimulation results in 2 locomotor patterns in all people of all ages;
- Reflex turning, which is an ipsilateral (same side) pattern and first appears as an infant learns to turn. This pattern divides the body into left and right.
- Reflex creeping, is a contralateral (diagonal shoulder/hip) pattern and first appears as an infant learns to crawl.
In administering Reflex Stimulation I apply non-painful pressure to a specified zone of support with the client in a specific body position. These positions are supine (face up), prone (face down) and side-lying. By repeated activation in these positions new connections at the CNS level are activated. Over time this will improve or restore stability, movement, posture and breathing awareness, so that central control becomes automatic.
Reflex Stimulation used in conjunction with bodywork to improve central organisation of movement, muscle balance and ease of movement represents a new paradigm in treatment, rehabilitation, exercise and performance.