Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR)

The Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR) is a primitive reflex that appears at birth and is typically integrated by 6 months of age. This reflex is triggered when the infant’s head is turned to one side, causing the arm and leg on that side to extend, while the opposite arm and leg flex. The ATNR supports the development of hand-eye coordination and motor skills by encouraging the infant to explore their environment and helping to establish neural connections necessary for coordinated movement and awareness of the body’s left and right sides.

If the ATNR remains unintegrated or becomes reactivated in adulthood, it can lead to various challenges, particularly in tasks requiring coordinated movements or bilateral integration (the ability to use both sides of the body together). Adults with an unintegrated ATNR may experience difficulties with activities that involve crossing the midline, such as reading, writing, or certain sports, as the reflex may cause involuntary movements or disruptions in coordination. This can also affect driving, where turning the head to check blind spots might inadvertently cause one arm to extend and the other to flex, leading to unsafe steering. Additionally, the persistent influence of ATNR can contribute to postural issues, difficulties with balance, and challenges in visual tracking, which may result in headaches or neck pain due to the strain placed on the body during everyday tasks.

• Appears: Birth
• Integrated by: 6 months
• Muscles Involved: Neck rotators, Shoulder girdle muscles, Abdominals (obliques), Hip flexors
• Extraordinary Meridians: Dai, Yang Wei
• The Dai channel influences the waist and rotational movements.
• The Yang Wei channel affects the lateral body, essential for the rotational aspect of ATNR.
• Acupuncture Points: SI3 (Houxi), LI15 (Jianyu), GB20 (Fengchi)
• Myofascial Line: Spiral Line (SL)
• Cranial Nerves: Accessory nerve (CN XI)
• Common Diagnoses: Learning disabilities, ADHD
• Signs of Retention/Impact on ADLs:
• Poor isolation of individual body movements, impacting crawling and walking
• Asymmetrical sitting posture
• Attention and focus issues, with whole-body movement when turning head
• Impaired pre-writing and writing skills
• Difficulty with scissor use and other fine motor tasks
• Impaired reading and visual tracking
• Poor coordination and balance during movement activities