In both adults and children, retained reflexes mobilize qi and blood into the large skeletal motor muscles to prepare for flight. These large skeletal muscles correspond to the Yang channels in the body. Strong patterns of spasticity are observed directly in the fascia and often do not resolve with appropriate treatment. Additionally, adult survivors of childhood trauma exhibit long-term issues of malabsorption, middle jiao deficiencies, and autoimmunity that appear to be due to long-term inhibition of the enteric nervous system and involution of the thymus.
A body in a state of high stress or chronic fight-or-flight response shows predictable, spastic, and marked deviation from normal qi and blood flow in the long chain and postural muscle groups. When left unresolved, the brain will first diminish the afferent pathways and then ignore them altogether to move out of the fight-flight-freeze state. The energy held in the yang pathways becomes more solid, creating indurations and spasticity directly in the fascia, spilling into the secondary luo vessels, which are objectively observable. Once qi and blood flow outside the normal vessels (into the fascia), the local cells are chronically deprived of nutrients for growth and repair, and this spasticity accumulates and solidifies in the yin secondary vessels, leading to the "phlegm misting the mind."
Active primitive reflexes block the descending Vagus efferents (relaxation signals) from the brain stem, causing the muscles to remain tight and engaged. The action of the Vagus nerve is what tells the body's defenses to stand down. Over time, conflicting commands from the brain stem create tightness, rigidity, and diminished range of motion. This sustained sympathetic charge further distorts all aspects of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), including the limbic, enteric, and vestibular systems. High circulating stress hormones flood the emotional portion of the brain, narrowing our perception to focus only on what is most necessary for survival. Instead of a relaxed, trusting state, our world becomes a hostile, dangerous place, with danger and suspicions lurking around every corner. High stress diminishes digestion (the enteric) and is the basis for many autoimmune and food allergies treated in our medicine. Chronically retained reflexes prevent the moment-to-moment flexion-extension coordination needed in the vestibular system for smooth and balanced movement. Over time, this leads to chronic muscle tension, inflexibility, and postural issues associated with aging. Chronically retained reflexes also restrict the proper flow of blood, nutrients, and oxygen into certain muscle pathways, leaving non-skeletal muscles deprived of nourishment.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique approach to integrative nervous system treatment by addressing jing jin (sinew channels) and restoring proper vagal tone through both the fascia and the 8-extraordinary vessels. Contrary to popular belief, vagal tone is objectively visible by examining spasticity and muscle engagement in the tissues of the body.[1]
The visible restoration of vagal tone during treatment makes it easy to identify which reflexes are retained. The distortion to qi and blood flow can be determined by visual inspection, palpation, and mobility testing. Treatment follows many classic references from the jing jin sinew channels and the 8-Extras with some exceptions. Neuroplasticity and primitive reflex integration allow the brain to establish new pathways, even in adulthood. Nervous system regeneration occurs naturally when proper vagal tone and flow through pathways are restored.
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[1] Objective observation includes what can be seen, palpated, and felt by both patient and practitioner.
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