An Expanded View of Core Tendon Guard

 The idea of Tendon Guard Reflexes as distinct patterns is fascinating and ties into how the body reflexively protects its musculoskeletal system during stress or trauma. The Core Tendon Guard (CTG) is often described as a full-body protective reflex, but we can also conceptualize distinct regional tendon guard responses, each serving a specific role in protecting different parts of the body. These responses may indeed follow a hierarchical order of development, from basic, whole-body protective mechanisms in early life to more specific, fine-tuned responses in later development. Here’s a breakdown:

Cranial Nerves and Their Influence on Development

 The cranial nerves are the primary neural pathways that emerge directly from the brain, playing essential roles in sensory perception, motor control, and autonomic regulation. There are twelve pairs of cranial nerves, each responsible for specific functions, ranging from the senses of smell, vision, and hearing to the control of muscles in the face, eyes, and throat. These nerves are crucial for communication between the brain and various parts of the head, neck, and torso, as well as for regulating vital bodily functions such as heart rate and digestion.

Table of Refelxes and Their Associated Information

 

Table of Reflexes and Their Associated Information:

Reflex	Appears	Integrates	Muscles Involved	8 Extra Meridians	Myelin	Higher FXN	Acu Points	Fascial Lines	Cranial Nerves
Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR)	In utero (5-8 weeks)	Birth to 2 months	Deep abdominal muscles, Diaphragm, Psoas, Adductor	Ren	No	No	REN17 (Shanzhong), REN12 (Zhongwan), SP21 (Dabao), SP2 (Dadu), LU1 (Zhongfu), LU2 (Yunmen), SP20 (Zhourong)	Superficial Front Line (SFL)	Vagus nerve (CN X)
Startle Reflex	Birth	2-4 months	Neck muscles, Upper trapezius, Sternocleidomastoid, Diaphragm	Ren, Du	No	No	DU20 (Baihui), REN12 (Zhongwan), GB21 (Jianjing)	Superficial Back Line (SBL)	Accessory nerve (CN XI), Vagus nerve (CN X)
Moro Reflex	Birth	4-6 months	Shoulder girdle muscles, Upper trapezius, Latissimus dorsi, Neck extensors	Chong, Dai	No	No	REN12 (Zhongwan), REN14 (Juque), GB25 (Jingmen), LV13 (Zhangmen)	Superficial Back Line (SBL)	Accessory nerve (CN XI), Vagus nerve (CN X)
Rooting Reflex	Birth	3-4 months	Facial muscles, Neck muscles, Tongue muscles, Sternocleidomastoid	Ren, Du, Yang Qiao	No	No	REN24 (Chengjiang), ST4 (Dicang), DU26 (Renzhong)	Deep Front Line (DFL)	Trigeminal nerve (CN V), Facial nerve (CN VII), Hypoglossal nerve (CN XII)
Head Righting Reflex	2-3 months	6 months	Neck muscles, Trapezius, Sternocleidomastoid	Ren, Du, Yang Qiao	Yes	Yes	DU20 (Baihui), GB20 (Fengchi), REN12 (Zhongwan), ST8 (Touwei)	Deep Front Line (DFL) |	Accessory nerve (CN XI), Vestibulocochlear nerve (CN VIII) |
Palmar Grasp Reflex	Birth	5-6 months	Flexor muscles of the forearm, Intrinsic muscles of the hand, Biceps, Brachioradialis		No	No	LI4 (Hegu), PC8 (Laogong), HT8 (Shaofu)	Arm Lines	Median nerve (C5-T1) (Peripheral nerve)
Plantar Grasp Reflex	Birth	9-12 months	Flexor muscles of the foot, Intrinsic foot muscles, Calf muscles, Tibialis anterior	Yang Qiao	No	No	KD1 (Yongquan), LV3 (Taichong), BL60 (Kunlun)	Superficial Back Line (SBL)	Tibial nerve (L4-S3) (Peripheral nerve)
Spinal Galant Reflex	Birth	3-9 months	Spinal muscles, Hip muscles, Abdominals, Gluteal muscles	Dai	No	No	BL23 (Shenshu), GB30 (Huantiao), BL25 (Dachangshu)	Lateral Line (LL)	Accessory nerve (CN XI)
Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)	Birth	6 months	Neck rotators, Shoulder girdle muscles, Abdominals, Hip flexors	Dai, Yang Wei	Yes	Yes	SI3 (Houxi), LI15 (Jianyu), GB20 (Fengchi)	Spiral Line (SL)	Accessory nerve (CN XI)
Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)	Birth	3.5 years	Neck flexors and extensors, Long strap muscles in the back, Abdominals, Gluteal muscles	Ren, Du	Yes	Yes	BL10 (Tianzhu), DU20 (Baihui), CV6 (Qihai)	Superficial Back Line (SBL)	Accessory nerve (CN XI), Vagus nerve (CN X)
Symmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (STNR)	6-9 months	9-11 months	Neck flexors and extensors, Shoulder girdle muscles, Abdominals, Quadriceps	Du, Yang Wei	Yes	Yes	DU14 (Dazhui), GB21 (Jianjing), ST36 (Zusanli)	Deep Front Line (DFL)	Accessory nerve (CN XI)
Core Tendon Guard Reflex	Early infancy	1 year	Core muscles, Diaphragm, Hip flexors, Lower back muscles	Ren, Chong	No	No	CV4 (Guanyuan), ST25 (Tianshu), SP15 (Daheng)	Deep Front Line (DFL)	Vagus nerve (CN X)
Achilles Reflex	Birth	2 years	Calf muscles, Achilles tendon, Tibialis anterior	Yang Qiao	No	No	BL60 (Kunlun), KD3 (Taixi), GB40 (Qiuxu)	Superficial Back Line (SBL)	Tibial nerve (L4-S3) (Peripheral nerve)