To understand the significance of a retained Moro reflex, it is important to know what it is and what it is supposed to do. Just like other primitive reflexes, the Moro is present at birth and should integrate (superseded by higher functions of the brain) between 2-4 months of age. It is there to stimulate arousal, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (fight or flight), and for the summoning of assistance (eg. calling for mummy in the infant age) (2).
 
When the Moro is retained past 6 months of age, it is associated with a hypersensitivity to sensory input, due to this reflex responding before our higher control centres of the brain has a chance to respond. These children (or adults) become overloaded very quickly. It can be to all things around them, or more specific things, such as light or sound.
 
In the long run, it can have big impacts on how well we are able to regulate our emotional responses due to a lowered threshold for arousal (sudden sounds, light, movement) (2).
Other common symptoms of a retained Moro reflex include (but not limited to); hyperactivity, difficulty with new stimulating experiences, impulsive behaviour, anxiety (especially anticipation anxiety) (2).
 
We see the Moro reflex, along with many other primitive reflexes, retained in a higher concentration with children diagnosed with ADHD and other learning disorders. These children classically have trouble expressing themselves appropriately. The primitive reflexes are hierarchical, and as a result, they (should) integrate in order. Moro is one of the first reflexes to integrate, and therefore has a great propensity to hinder a child’s progression through later reflexes. This is where we see the parallel presentation with learning disorders (1-4).
 
So, if you suspect that you or your child may have a retained Moro reflex, book in to be assessed by one of our chiropractors to see how we can help you.

Are you currently suffering from neck pain? Keep reading!
 
The technology boom has brought us so much convenience without doubt. Yet, we observe neck pain becoming the 4th leading cause of years lost to disability (YLD) in 2010, ranking just behind back pain, depression and arthralgia! (1) It is vital to know the reason why neck pain has become an uninvited guest to you!
 
When neck pain remains untreated in the early stage, it can become a chronic health problem and more difficult to manage. It can also lead to extensive muscle guarding, affecting your normal spinal curvature, giving you headaches and accelerating your spinal degeneration progress!
 
Chiropractic interventions are reviewed to be efficient and effective to help manage neck pain and restore range of motion (2). Most importantly, we help people manage their neck pain, helping them become more engaged and regain their zest back for activities!
 
If you want to help get rid of your stubborn neck pain, you should stop the following mistake......
 
“Stop looking down to your screens and stop looking into your laptop screen so close that you need to flex your neck to read”
 
Extra Kilograms of weight are added to your neck to support your posture!(3) You might start to develop a forward head carriage too!
 
I believe everyone deserves their best health and living without the concern of pain. Get Back to doing what you love!
 
Your Dr at Little Sprouts Chiropractic can run a comprehensive spinal check to help you identify where your problem(s) are and help manage your condition! Give us a call for more information!

​Did you know that when we are in the womb and shortly after we are born, we have a range of primitive reflexes that help us grow? Before our higher brain has developed the ability to make decisions, these reflexes help our body move and respond to different stimuli. 
 
The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) should be fully present at birth and assists in the baby’s active participation in the birthing process. When a newborn’s head is turned to one side, the arm and leg on that side straighten while the opposite arm and leg bend. The ATNR reflex is important in babies for establishing the connection between touch and vision which will have a huge role in our distance perception and hand eye coordination as we grow.
 
In early months, ATNR locks vision on to anything which catches the attention. If inappropriately retained, the child (or adult) is easily distracted by anything that attracts the attention.  Results of a recent study show that ADHD symptoms are closely linked to persisting ATNR, which indicates that ADHD symptoms may present a compensation of unfinished developmental stages (1).
 
A persisting ATNR in people with ADHD may occur as a response to various stimuli. This is due to a conflict between higher (more developed) and primitive level (less developed) areas of brain function and decision making (2).
 
If the ATNR is retained, children may find it difficult to look up at a blackboard and write, maintain normal walking patterns, balance, co-ordination in sport and in adults, there can be chronic shoulder or neck problems.
 
Here are some easy ways to test for an ATNR at home:
A. Ask your child to get on all fours with the arms straight, fingers pointing forward and the head in neutral. With their weight over their hands, rotate the child’s head left or right. If their elbow bends on the opposite side of head rotation (as would in the infant) OR the weight shifts posteriorly (i.e. off the hands) then the reflex is probably present.
B. Alternatively, have the child standing with arms straight out in front of them at shoulder height. Ask the child to turn their head fully to the left or fully to the right while maintaining the position of the arms out front. If the torso and arms turn in the direction of the head or if the arms drop this reflex is likely present.
 
If you suspect that yourself or your child has a retained ATNR, call our practice now for further assessment. 

Does your child suffer from pain in any spinal region? Perhaps from their busy day to day activities? From the many sporting activities that they may be involved in? These things may be putting tension on the spine, which may present as spinal pain, which may include pain in the neck, between the shoulder blades or lower back. This is an article that could make the world of difference to them.
 
“Spinal pain, which includes the neck and back, is a common health problem occurring in all age groups” (1,2)
 
There are a lot of mechanical and ergonomic stress placed on the spine from our modern lifestyle, from iPads and laptops to sports and exercise. When left to linger on without the proper care, wear and tear occurs in the spine from these stressors. On average, patients suffering from spine pain will incur 73% higher health care costs, with quite a bit of the costs going towards improper management, such as emergency services. (3,4)
 
But the good news is, with correct management, spinal pain and issues of the spine can be minimised. In a recent literature article, the study provides evidence that a course of chiropractic care, is a viable conservative pain management treatment option for young people. (1)
 
 
“With the spine being one of the main pillars of our body, especially for the growing child, it is important to make sure that it is functioning at its optimum.”

​REFERENCES

(1)Manansala, C., Passmore, S., Pohlman, K., Toth, A. and Olin, G., 2019. Change in young people's spine pain following chiropractic care at a publicly funded healthcare facility in Canada. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice.
 (2) Hartvigsen, J., Hancock, M.J., Kongsted, A., Louw, Q., Ferreira, M.L., Genevay, S., Hoy, D., Karppinen, J., Pransky, G., Sieper, J. and Smeets, R.J., 2018. What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention. The Lancet, 391(10137), pp.2356-2367.
(3) Martin, B.I., Deyo, R.A., Mirza, S.K., Turner, J.A., Comstock, B.A., Hollingworth, W. and Sullivan, S.D., 2008. Expenditures and health status among adults with back and neck problems. Jama, 299(6), pp.656-664.
 (4) Deyo, R.A., Mirza, S.K., Turner, J.A. and Martin, B.I., 2009. Overtreating chronic back pain: time to back off?. J Am Board Fam Med, 22(1), pp.62-68.