Both physically and mentally, injuries and trauma can cause significant effects on our bodies. The Trauma Reflex is a reflex that should be considered when discussing movement and posture. It is activated by falls, impacts, or collisions and impacts the muscles on one side of the body.
From a bird's-eye view, we can observe the spinal rotation that often accompanies the Trauma Reflex. The shoulder, pelvis, feet, and head may undergo compensatory rotations, affecting our gait and leading to a host of issues like back, hip, knee, and ankle pain.
How does the trauma reflex work?
Imagine someone tickling your lower right side ribs. In response, your body would twist slightly, your right hip would hike towards your right armpit, and your right armpit would move towards your right hip. This pattern of muscle contraction is similar to what happens during the Trauma Reflex.
When it comes to the body's reflexes, a complex interplay of various muscles is crucial for maintaining balance and stability. Among these muscles are the rotators of the spine and torso, responsible for rotational movements that aid in posture control and spinal alignment. The latissimus dorsi, one of the broadest muscles in the back, plays a significant role in shoulder and arm movements, contributing to overall upper body strength and mobility.
Additionally, the obliques, located on the sides of the abdomen, are essential for lateral flexion and rotation of the trunk, supporting everyday movements like bending and twisting. The quadratus lumborum, situated deep in the lower back, assists in stabilizing the pelvis and spine during activities such as walking or standing.
Furthermore, the abductors of the hip on the affected side and the adductors of the thigh on the other side work in tandem to facilitate movements like walking, running, and maintaining balance. This intricate network of muscles highlights the interconnectedness of the body's reflexes and the importance of muscle coordination in everyday activities.
How does the trauma reflex occur?
What makes the Trauma Reflex interesting is that injuries can cause it, but the reflex itself can also lead to further injuries. When we anticipate an impact, our instinct is to turn away from it, resulting in a side-on impact. The muscles on the impacted side contract reflexively to protect us, and if this contraction becomes habituated, we develop Sensory Motor Amnesia. This means we forget how to properly sense and move the muscles involved, leading to a habituated Trauma Reflex.
The habituated Trauma Reflex tends to cause postural distortions, such as curving of the spine, drawing together of the rib cage and hip on one side, tilting of the head, asymmetrical shoulders and hands, and changes in the angle of the thigh bone in relation to the knee. These imbalances compromise our balance and symmetry, making us more prone to further injuries.
What happens when we are stuck in a Trauma Reflex?
The habituated Trauma Reflex can manifest as postural distortions, such as a curved spine, drawn-together rib cage and hip, tilted head, asymmetrical shoulders and hands, and changes in the angle of the thigh bone. These imbalances compromise our balance and symmetry, making us more susceptible to further injuries.
Additionally, the Trauma Reflex can affect our gait, leading to issues like back, hip, knee, and ankle pain. When the Trauma Reflex is accompanied by the Green Light Reflex, conditions like Sciatica and Plantar fasciitis may develop due to the habituated muscle tightness on one side and in the back of the body.
What's interesting is that injuries can cause the Trauma Reflex, but the Trauma Reflex can also lead to further injuries. When we anticipate an impact, we instinctively turn away from it, often resulting in a side-on impact. The muscles on the impacted side contract reflexively to protect us, which can become habituated and lead to Sensory Motor Amnesia. This means we forget how to sense and move these muscles properly, ultimately creating a habituated Trauma Reflex.
The good news is that the Trauma Reflex can be improved and healed with Somatic Movements. Somatic Movements can use pandiculation to release the affected muscles, restoring the brain's control of them and lengthening them back to their correct resting length. By addressing the Trauma Reflex, we can achieve softer, more relaxed muscles, a balanced gait, and a body capable of equal movement in all directions.
Commenti