Spinal Galant Reflex
What is the Spinal Galant Reflex?
The Spinal Galant Reflex is an early movement pattern that helps Baby’s spine, hips, and nervous system develop coordination and flexibility.
It is activated when the skin along one side of Baby’s lower back is gently stroked, causing their hips to move away from the touch. This reflex is part of Baby’s natural preparation for crawling, standing, and walking.
Signs of a Retained Spinal Galant Reflex
If the Spinal Galant Reflex remains active beyond infancy, it can cause various physical and behavioral challenges, such as:
Excessive fidgeting or restlessness
Bedwetting beyond age six
Hypersensitivity to clothing or textures
Ticklishness along the spine
ADHD-like symptoms
Difficulty standing, walking, or running smoothly
Challenges with balance, stairs, or playground activities
Retained Primitive Reflexes affect EVERYTHING
〰️
Retained Primitive Reflexes affect EVERYTHING 〰️
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
At Blessingways Family Wellness in Airdrie and North Calgary, our chiropractors—Dr. Melanie Beingessner, Dr. Laurence Dion, and Dr. Leah Robinson—help families support healthy brain and body development through gentle, movement-based chiropractic care.
When retained primitive reflexes are suspected, we:
Perform a thorough chiropractic and neurological examination.
Review a detailed intake form to identify which reflexes may be active.
Create a personalized care plan that includes gentle chiropractic adjustments and home-based movement activities.
Recommend daily exercises to help the nervous system learn new, more coordinated patterns.
Re-evaluate progress regularly to monitor changes and refine care.
Every nervous system is unique. While many people respond well to chiropractic adjustments and home movement activities, progress depends on each individual’s ability to adapt and integrate new information.
📞 Call Blessingways Family Wellness at (403) 945-2422
to book your appointment or learn more about our family chiropractic services in Airdrie
Best Beginnings: Infant Massage and Movement Program
Ready to nurture your baby’s growth from the very beginning?
Our Best Beginnings Program teaches parents hands-on ways to support healthy growth and brain development, calm Baby’s nervous system, and encourage reflex integration through touch and play.
You’ll receive:
● Over 20 hours of guided video tutorials
●Simple, science-based activities you can do at home
● Practical home organization tips
● Exclusive downloadable guides and printable resources
● Unlimited lifetime access
Exercises to Help Integrate the Spinal Galant Reflex
To encourage integration of the Spinal Galant Reflex:
Every morning for 30 days
20 repetitions of Snow Angels
20 repetitions of at least one fun movement activity from the links below
Every afternoon or evening for 30 days
20 repetitions of Snow Angels
20 repetitions of at least one fun exercise from the list below
(You can do as many of the fun exercises as you like!)
Exercises to Integrate
the Spinal Galant Reflex
Snow Angel Exercise Demonstration
Here are more fun Spinal Galant Reflex Integration Exercises to choose from
Click Here to see 16 videos of Additional FUN Exercises - click on the Spinal Galant Functional Activities folder
Click Here for additional FUN integration exercises that we’ve found on YouTube
Click Here to print a 30 days exercise Tracking Calendar
Dr. Melanie, Dr. Laurence and Dr. Leah have taken many courses about retained primitive reflexes. One course, offered by Harkla, called Assessment and Integration of Primitive Reflexes Master Level was created by Rachel Harrington and Jessica Hill, both occupational therapists
We have been given permission by them to post their very thorough information on our website and to give their handouts to our patients.
