Testing Head Righting Reflexes (Ocular and Labyrinthine Head Righting Reflexes)

The Ocular (OHRR) and Labyrinthine Head Righting reflexes (LHRR) are postural reflexes aimed at maintaining a head neutral position regardless of body position. Typically developing within the first 6 months of life, the OHRR and LHRR are dependant on proper neck muscle development for action. Without this neck development, the child will have difficulty with postural adaptations and progressions which may impact further on other postural reflexes developing or primitive reflexes inhibiting. A great example of this can be with sitting; underdevelopment of the OHRR and LHRR may disrupt the parachute reflex response, causing a child to not "catch" themselves upon falling. This will instead activate and propogate the Moro response, and may lead to developing anxiety behaviours or a "clingy baby", especially when trying to change their position from upright to laying down.
Underdevelopment of the Head Righting Reflexes into older childhood and adulthood may also have an impact on balance and associated eye movements. When an older child or adult has a subconscious difficulty with balance, we may also see underlying anxiety or panic disorder behaviours become apparent.

[@lonejamsheed8623]

Thank you sir

[@blopez839]

What are good exercises to practice with a child that is showing signs of poor head righting?

[@AskDrChristian]

Hi there blopez839, Sorry for the delay in response and also sorry for what is going to be a very bland answer - I couldn't tell you. It really depends on the case in front of you, and what could be going on. Is it a vestibular thing? A muscular thing? A spinal thing? A visual thing? There are too many variables, and this is why I don't provide exercise videos to "help condition X". Thanks for the comment!

[@dr.chrisstar3527]

Do you understand scoliosis reactors?

[@AskDrChristian]

In terms of factors, such as vestibular/primitive reflexes, that may influence the development of scoliosis? I've not heard of the term "Scoliosis Reactors" - but I'm intrigued!