TLR - Tonic
Labyrinthine Reflex
The information presented on this webpage is printed with permission from Harkla.co
More facts about the TLR - Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) has two movement patterns - forwards and backward.
This reflex is activated with neck flexion (forward) or extension (backward) - movement of the head up or down.
When an infant looks down (neck flexion), this causes the arms and legs to flex or curl into the body.
When an infant looks up (neck extension), this causes the arms and legs to extend.
The TLR splits the body into front and back planes, whereas other reflexes split the body into top and bottom (STNR) and left and right (ATNR).
The TLR is thought to help the infant with the newfound challenge of gravity. It also directly affects muscle tone due to the movement of the arms, legs, neck, and trunk and it's connection to the vestibular system.
The TLR helps to differentiate and coordinate the front and back of the body. Flexion and extension of the muscles as a result of head positions changes. You can begin to understand the direct connection to the vestibular system.
This reflex is responsible for muscle tone, posture, head-righting, vestibular and proprioceptive skills, as well as body awareness.
Additionally, because head movements activate the TLR, this reflex is also directly related to the Moro Reflex. As the infant begins to gain head control, the TLR and Moro will begin to integrate, and the response in the arms and legs will begin to change - more control of the arms and legs will begin to develop.
What is the TLR - Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex?
Signs of a Retained Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex in an older child or adult:
low muscle tone
poor endurance for daily activities
constantly slouching
visual-vestibular challenges - turn your head to look at something and feel dizzy
ADHD symptomology - dyslexia (difficulties with reading), dysgraphia (difficulties turning thoughts into written language), discalculia (difficulties with number-based information and math)
poor coordination - struggles with coordinating movement for sports
might avoid the playground all together
Retained Primitive Reflexes affect EVERYTHING
〰️
Retained Primitive Reflexes affect EVERYTHING 〰️
How We Can Help
Both children AND adults can have Retained Primitive Reflexes
Dr. Melanie, Dr. Laurence and Dr. Leah have taken extra courses and seminars to learn how to assess and treat people with retained primitive reflexes
We will have you fill out a comprehensive intake form that will help us to focus on which reflexes might be retained
We will do a thorough chiropractic and neurological exam
We will make an individualized plan for you and/or your child that will include chiropractic adjustments and home exercises
These home exercises must be done twice a day for at least 30 days for your nervous system to integrate the retained primitive reflexesThen we will re-exam to assess and plan again
If you would like more information, or to
make an appointment with one of our Doctors,
please call us at 403-945-2422
To help integrate the TLR, you will need to do
Every morning for 30 DAYS
20 repetitions of the Superman/Banana exercise
20 repetitions of at least ONE FUN Exercise that you can choose from the second pdf download
(Of course, you can do as many of the fun exercises as you like!)
Every afternoon or evening for 30 DAYS
20 repetitions of the Superman/Banana Exercise
20 repetitions of at least ONE FUN Exercise that you can choose from the second pdf download
(Do as many of the fun exercises as you like!)
Here are your downloads for the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex Integration Exercises
Click Here to print the instructions for the Superman/Banana Exercise
Click Here to print the instructions for 18 Additional FUN Exercises you can choose from
Click Here to see videos of the 18 Additional FUN Exercises - click on the TLR Functional Activities folder
Click Here to print a 30 days exercise Tracking Calendar
Exercises to Integrate the
TLR - Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
Examples of the Superman/Banana Exercise that we’ve found on YouTube
Dr. Melanie, Dr. Laurence and Dr. Leah have taken many courses about retained primitive reflexes. One course, offered by Harkla, called Assessment and Integration of Primitive Reflexes Master Level was created by Rachel Harrington and Jessica Hill, both occupational therapists
We have been given permission by them to post their very thorough information on our website and to give their handouts to our patients
