TLR - Tonic
Labyrinthine Reflex
What is the TLR - Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex?
The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is one of Baby’s early movement patterns that helps them learn about balance, posture, and coordination. This reflex appears at birth and is triggered by neck flexion (looking down) or neck extension (looking up).
When Baby looks down, their arms and legs flex or curl inward. When Baby looks up, their arms and legs extend outward. These opposite movements help Baby develop strength, stability, and awareness of how their body moves in space.
Signs of a Retained Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
When the TLR doesn’t fully integrate, it may appear in older children or adults as:
Low muscle tone or fatigue with physical activity
Poor posture or constant slouching
Difficulty with balance or coordination
Dizziness when turning the head
Challenges with reading, writing, or math (dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia)
Struggles with sports or playground activities
Visual-vestibular difficulties that affect learning and focus
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 Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
To support TLR integration:
Every morning for 30 days
20 repetitions of the Superman/Banana Exercise
20 repetitions of at least one fun movement activity from the list below
Every afternoon or evening for 30 days
20 repetitions of the Superman/Banana Exercise
20 repetitions of at least one fun movement activity from the list below
(You can do as many of the fun exercises as you like!)
Exercises to Integrate the
TLR - Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex
Superman/Banana Demonstration
Here are more fun Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex Integration Exercises to choose from
Click Here to see 18 videos of Additional FUN Exercises - click on the TLR 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.
