Freeze-Based Reflexes: The Missing Foundation in Primitive Reflex Work

Core Tendon Guard Reflex (CTG): Architectural Overview

Most primitive reflex training programs, particularly those focused on pediatrics, emphasize postural and motor pattern reflexes such as ATNR, STNR, and TLR. Yet many of my early classes omitted the most foundational layer of the reflex hierarchy: the freeze responses.

Startle, Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR), and Core Tendon Guard Reflex (CTG) all precede the Moro reflex—not just in development, but in function. These are the body’s last line of defense against threat. I first encountered this tier of reflexes through Masgutova’s Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration (MNRI) work for PTSD. While most pediatric and OT-based programs I have taken did not cover the freeze responses, Masgutova’s system explicitly maps them in the context of trauma and autonomic dysregulation. Dr. Karen Pryor’s neuroplasticity training also explored these reflexes in detail.

In my clinical findings to date, Startle, FPR, and CTG are partially retained in 100% of my clients, regardless of medical or personal histories. This suggests that these early freeze reflexes are either never fully integrated or are easily reactivated under conditions of trauma, chronic stress, or developmental arrest. As outlined in our exploration of sympathetic dysregulation, these reflexes indicate that the nervous system remains stuck in a state of high arousal, which reduces vagal tone, mitochondrial ATP production, and neuroplastic function. In children, this pattern prevents the integration of higher postural, emotional, and cognitive systems. Integration must begin at the freeze layer—otherwise, all downstream reflex work remains incomplete.

While the exact position of CTG within the freeze reflex hierarchy is not established, CTG bridges the full freeze arc (Startle, FPR, Moro) across the deep sinew layers. As such, an understanding of CTG is vital for TCM and orthopedic providers. Fans of the Worsley school might recognize a parallel to his concept of clearing the Seven Dragons—a mythical diagnostic model in which he proposed that healing could not proceed until a foundational defensive pattern was discharged. While originally framed through metaphor, this observation maps directly onto the patterns seen in chronic dorsal freeze responses: unless the defensive contraction is released, the system remains unresponsive to treatment.

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Core Tendon Guard (CTG) appears in early infancy and is typically integrated by 1 year of age. This reflex is triggered by a perceived threat or sudden movement, causing an automatic contraction of the core muscles to provide stability and protect the brain, cervical breathing centers, and spinal cord. 

CTG creates a full-body “crush” pattern that engages several key muscle groups both through the body’s main trunk retinaculum, along horizontal, vertical, and sagittal planes. Schultz’s model of the seven vertical retinacular chains shows how fascial tension distributes from head to toe, reinforcing axial compression. This reflex engages both superficial and deep fascial layers to freeze the body to brace for impact.  Understanding the biomechanical transmission throughout the fascial system lays the foundation for treatment strategies that focus on restoring vagal tone and normal orthopedic function. 

In adults, CTG presents persistent fascial armoring (spasticity), impaired interoception, and reduced emotional adaptability. From a clinical standpoint, it anchors many cases of postural collapse, hypervigilance, core compression, and unresolved trauma physiology—regardless of formal diagnosis.

Keleman’s Somatic Cavities and Freeze Physiology

 While Schultz’s vertical retinacular chains describe the mechanical load-bearing axis of CTG, Stanley Keleman’s somatic architecture highlights how the three main body cavities—cervical, thoracic, and pelvic—contract independently under threat. Rather than function as a unified axis, the body segments in states of retained reflex or dorsal freeze, isolating breath, viscera, and gut motility into separate zones. This mirrors the structural collapse seen in chronic dysautonomia and other forms of autonomic fragmentation.

Anatomically, Keleman’s compartment model aligns with the TCM concept of the Three Jiaos, where breakdown across the upper, middle, and lower burners leads to stagnation. Clinically, this fragmentation deepens dorsal vagal dominance and perpetuates cortisol dysregulation, particularly in the gut. As such, reintegrating these diaphragms becomes essential not only for restoring fascial continuity but also for reestablishing coherent endocrine and interoceptive signaling.also for reestablishing coherent endocrine and interoceptive signaling.

Integration of CTG by Body Region and Sinew Channel Layers

From a structural perspective, we can view CTG is the sinew system’s lockdown reflex. For clinical treatment, it is most effective to break CTG into three zones of compression:

• Above the diaphragm (cervical and thoracic bracing)
• At the diaphragm (the diaphragm and surrounding fascial structures)
• Below the diaphragm (pelvic floor, hips, knees, Achilles)

Each zone contains distinct bracing patterns and fascial chains, but the CTG reflex operates as a unified crush response across all three. These zones correspond to biomechanical hinge points—Ren/Du/Chong above, Dai - GB (Lateral Line) and Chong (Spiral Line) at the diaphragm, and the Kidney–Liver–Spleen sinew channels from the hips (GB 28, GB 29) and below. Treatment targeting any one region must account for its integration with at least one adjacent zone, as all foundational movement begins in the trunk.

This division is critical because the torso functions as the central axis of rotation, linking the upper and lower body. Postnatal movement development, including contralateral coordination and gait, depends on rotational mobility in this region. Therefore, effective treatment should engage at least two of the three zones to restore integrated function across the body planes.

1. Cervical Region

The cervical spine is the first bracing point in the CTG sequence. Under threat, the deep neck flexors, suboccipitals, upper traps, and levator scapulae all engage to protect the cranial vault and brainstem. This pattern present accompanied by brachial plexus tension, vagus nerve irritation, and reactivation of the FPR reflex. Retained ATNR and STNR can also appear here, limiting shoulder rotation and scapular glide.

Clinically, this region presents with migraines, cervicalgia, high vigilance states, and loss of upper-body fluidity. Structurally, it disrupts the Ren and Du channels through the occipital floor, severs connection to the Chong, and activates Wei and Qiao pathology—causing collapse, flaccidity, or over-control in the upper quadrant.

2. Trunk (Rotational Axis at the Diaphragm)

The trunk is CTG’s primary hinge zone. Rotation begins here postnatally, but retained reflexes like Moro and Spinal Galant create torsional bracing through the ribs, intercostals, diaphragm, and QL region. Moro reflexes in particular drive hyperinflation of the diaphragm and chest wall rigidity, while Spinal Galant generates paraspinal tension and segmental contraction along the thoracolumbar fascia.

This midsection collapse fractures the body's vertical axis. It isolates the upper and lower Jiao, locks the Dai Mai and Spiral Line, and blocks the lateral fascial flow essential for contralateral coordination. Treatment must address both the fascial wrap of the trunk and the rotational locking pattern created by freeze reflex layering—especially Moro over CTG.

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3. Hips and Pelvic Floor

In most adult CTG presentations, the hips remain in fixed flexion, and an anterior pelvic tilt. 

The Liver, Kidney, and Spleen sinew channels pass directly through this region and govern pelvic balance and emotional containment. The iliacus, psoas, and adductors brace inward, contracting the pelvic floor up, which diminishes arterial/venous blood flow vertically.  This region often expresses cumulative effects of CTG, Spinal Galant, and spasticity in the SI joint from retained postural reflexes like TLR.

4. Knees

Below the hips, bracing often translates into quad and hamstring co-contraction. The knees become locked in semi-flexion, mimicking the fetal freeze posture. This is not simply a local issue—rather, it represents transmission of fascial load from the hips downward through the superficial front/back lines and the Kidney sinew channel.

Clinically, patients present with knee tightness, compensatory gait, or difficulty with deceleration and impact response.  Check from bracing @ Kid 10 with srong media engagement and spasticity through both the medial and lateral tendons.  Semi- membranoid and tendinosis feel like piece of coaxial cable, and there will be no tone through UB 40.

5. Achilles and Posterior Chain

The Achilles tendon is the last point in the CTG fascial chain. Retained CTG often manifests here as chronic calf tension, gastroc-soleus spasticity, and reduced ankle dorsiflexion. The plantar flexors contract as part of the full-body crush pattern, impairing rebound, push-off, and fascial recoil.

The Spleen and Kidney sinew channels govern this zone, and disruption here leads to collapsed posture, poor shock absorption, and decreased access to lower-body drive. Clinicians must treat this region not as a distal compensation but as an integral anchor in the CTG freeze loop. 

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Masgutova’s Trauma Model:  Red Light/Green Light and Its Application in CTG Treatment

Svetlana Masgutova’s MNRI  research on the Tendon Guard Reflex (CTG) outlines two primary responses, what she calls the Red Light and Green Light reactions. The Red-Light response is triggered when the body perceives danger and immediately freezes. This involves contraction of the abdominal, shoulder, and neck muscles, causing a state of immobility and heightened sensory awareness to assess the threat. In children, this may manifest as perseveration or shutting down, while in adults, it can lead to chronic muscle tension and emotional rigidity, particularly in the pelvic and lower back regions, contributing to anxiety, endocrine imbalance and stress-related disorders. The Freeze response reflects an involuntary sense of threat that exceeds the flight-fight response and moves straight to the dorsal freeze. As such, the body braces for impact. 100% of my adults’ clients to date present with this partially retained.

Conversely, the Green Light response is a higher arousal state, a yang dominant presentation that activates the spinal muscles in anticipation of flight. The reflex helps infants develop their spinal muscles through early movements like head lifting and eventually contributes to standing, walking, and more complex postural control. When overactive in adults, this can lead to an impulsive or hyperactive state, with challenges in maintaining a calm and controlled response, often observed in conditions like ADHD.

Category	Details
Appears	Early infancy
Integrated by	12 months
Reflex Tier	Freeze-Based (following FPR, prior to Moro)
Muscles Involved	Rectus abdominis, obliques, diaphragm, psoas, iliacus, pelvic floor, hip adductors, cervical stabilizers, gastroc-soleus
Fascial Lines	Deep Front Line (DFL), Superficial Front Line (SFL), Spiral Line (SL), Lateral Line (LL)
Cranial/Spinal Nerves	Vagus (CN X), phrenic nerve (C3–C5), pelvic splanchnic nerves, lumbar plexus
Key Retention Zones	Cervical spine, diaphragm, iliopsoas, abdominal wall, pelvic floor, knees, Achilles
Extraordinary Meridians	Chong, Dai, Ren, Du; Liver, Kidney, Gallbladder sinew channels
Clinical Flags	Anterior flexion collapse, core rigidity, cervical bracing, hypertonic hip flexors, pelvic tension, adrenal fatigue, vagal suppression
Common Diagnoses	Cervicalgia, thoracic stenosis, sciatica, pelvic floor dysfunction, IBS, dysautonomia, chronic low back pain, anxiety with somatic rigidity

 

Integration Strategies for Addressing CTG Retention:

Our predecessors described zones like qi stagnation, channel block, and Shen disturbance using qualitative terms rooted in their clinical experience at the time. With advances in neuroscience and autonomic mapping, we now understand that many of these traditional descriptions correspond to involuntary fascial shifts and reflect deeper structural and reflexive patterns linked to unresolved freeze states.

Retained primitive reflexes follow consistent patterns of spasticity and fascial armoring that can be objectively mapped to the sinew channels of TCM and myofascial theory. These patterns overlap classical acupuncture points, especially where fascial retinacula, sinew channels, and neurological hinges intersect.

Because the fascial armoring associated with retained reflexes is consistent across patients regardless of diagnosis, it provides a stable framework for clinical assessment. This eliminates the subjective and metaphysical interpretations that often dominate TCM practice today, particularly in the U.S. By integrating standardized orthopedic rehabilitation testing, this approach restores clinical clarity and reproducibility to both diagnosis and treatment.

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