Reflex Reflections:
Basic Information about Reflexes- Perez Reflex      1 of 3

Preface about Primitive Reflexes

Nature provides each person with a set of involuntary patterns that start before birth and aid development. The Infant Reflex Patterns are automatic motor responses to sensory triggers. Changes in the sensory environment activate an involuntary patterned motor response. These early motor responses start working in utero as the sensory-motor systems of the fetus develop.

As each motor response is activated and sustained, the Upper Brain learns to direct the muscles involved and takes over voluntary control of the muscles that are used in the infant reflex patterns. The Upper Brain takes over, inhibits, and integrates the infant reflexes. Most early infant reflexes are typically inhibited by six months of age. Integration comes with voluntary use of the reflex patterns. Inhibition and integration of primitive reflexes does not mean that the reflexes are gone; these patterns remain stored in the brainstem and midbrain, coming forward as needed to protect and restore development during trauma.

PEREZ REFLEX

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PEREZ REFLEX

Originally this reflex was called the Perez/Vollmer Reflex and was described in the 1955 by Spanish researchers, Juanico and Perez del Pulgar Marx. The reflex is activated by placing the baby on the stomach or holding face down and stroking from the base of the spine, upward to the occiput. The response is described as the flexing of the spine, the lifting hips, flexing of arms and legs, crying out and urinating. Tactile and proprioceptive pressure activates the Perez Reflex

DEVELOPMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS OF THE PEREZ REFLEX
As a birth reflex, Perez Reflex triggers the lifting of the hips. The Perez Reflex’s pelvic tilt energizes the forward movement in the birth canal. In normal development, the Perez Reflex aids in pelvic movement for walking, toilet training, and play a role in the organization of the push energy in birth and throughout infanthood.  There are some indications that the Perez Reflex is related to some parts of physical, sexual function.

A Story of Perez Reflex

On a trip to another state, I saw Toby for a number of school related issues. He was a drop-in, so I did not have a comprehensive history. As I check the Perez Reflex, I noticed that it was very hypoactive and sluggish.

I worked in a number of ways to loosen up and help the Perez Reflex pattern activate. As is common, after the work the boy got up and said, “I gotta go pottie.” He was old enough and familiar with the building to go out in the hall to the restroom by himself. As he went out, I looked at his mother. Her mouth was hanging open.

I said, “Oh, that’s OK. Many students need to use the facilities after working on the Perez Reflex.”

“No,” she said, “You don’t understand. Toby hasn’t gone to the bathroom in over eight months. He has had to be manually evacuated! And now he is going on his own!”

By reactivating the Perez Reflex, Toby’s ability to defecate was improved. The muscles and tissues that are involved with peristalsis and digestion were organized. Elimination is a process that is organized, rhythmic, sustained, and repetitive (ORSR).

For more information about the Perez or other reflexes, contact Janet Oliver for an online mentoring session. These sessions can be lengths of 15 minutes up to 2 hours. Check at www.planforlearning.com for description, costs and contact information.