Under The Volcano
Around five to seven weeks in utero, an embryo begins to have a recognizably human form. Cells are programmed to produce organs, limbs – and movements! It is during this period that the Fear Paralysis Reflex comes into play.
A reflex is an involuntary movement that happens in response to a stimulus. The reflex movements we perform as infants are the basis for all of our movements for the rest of our lives. There are dozens of these infant reflexes, and they are programmed to emerge, develop, and integrate during the prenatal months and the infant and toddler years.
When a situation is experienced as a threat to survival, the embryo withdraws and becomes still. This is the Fear Paralysis Reflex. What might a tiny embryo perceive as a life-threatening situation? Perhaps the mother is afraid. Perhaps she has breathed or eaten something toxic to the embryo. Perhaps she has been injured.
Normally, once the fear is over, the withdrawal activity releases, and eventually this “freeze!” response ceases to be the default. But sometimes, this part of development doesn’t complete itself. Perhaps the mother is in continual stress. Perhaps the toxins continue to be ingested, or the injury she suffers impedes development. Whatever the reason, Fear Paralysis doesn’t integrate into the next stage.
Like all kinds of development, reflexes build upon one another. Nature plans for Fear Paralysis (freeze!) to transform into the Moro Reflex (fight or flight!) But if Fear Paralysis is still present, the Moro can’t fully develop and integrate. And neither can the dozens of other reflexes that are choreographed to build their movements upon that foundation.
When Fear Paralysis remains unintegrated, sometimes these “paralysis” symptoms are right out front. A child seems frozen, unable to process incoming information. Clinginess can be another aspect of Fear Paralysis. So can extreme rigidity - inability to make transitions or accommodate to anything new. And, of course, phobias – fears that just won’t go away.
Sometimes the symptoms are more extroverted. Tantrums, oppositional behavior, dizziness or lack of balance, any kind of emotional volatility - all these are hallmarks of an active Moro Reflex. As Fear Paralysis matures, it normally transforms into Moro. (Moro is when a child startles, gasps, expands the chest and throws out the arms). But when a tantrum (Moro) is followed by withdrawal, Fear Paralysis is probably what’s under the volcano.
Mothers instinctively know lots of integrative movements that help calm the Moro and Fear Paralysis Reflexes. Holding and rocking a child is one of the best! Humming a tune (especially if you can do it with your lips touching the child’s head, which helps the sound to resonate through the bones) can help even more. The calm projected by the loving adult through these sounds and movements create a safe, womb-like experience. The child knows that the danger is over, he can let go.
Another way to integrate Fear Paralysis is to hold a particular spot on your child’s foot! In Movement Matters July 2, 2011, Getting Centered: The Itsy Bitsy Spider, we talked about meridians. These energy pathways have been used in healing techniques for thousands of years. Meridians can be thought of as dotted lines, with nodes, or points, that can be located in particular places on the body. And one of these nodes is a perfect “Fear Paralysis” release point.
Just below the footpads on the balls of the feet, on a line down from the second toe, are these magics. “K-1” points. If you’re in doubt, rub them on your own feet – the sore spot is probably it! The Chinese have poetic names for acupressure points, and K-1 is called “Bubbling Spring.” This image of that gentle, life-giving movement is a perfect antidote for the frozen isolation of Fear Paralysis.
Lightly hold your child’s feet with your thumbs just below the footpads, resting on the K-1 points. After a while, you may feel a pulsing. Just hold them until the pulsing stops. It can take a long time! If you can’t feel any pulsing, no worries – the gentle energy is being felt.
Children can also hold their K-1’s on themselves! This is a wonderful self-regulatory technique. It works best with shoes off, of course. Sit cross-legged. Cross your arms, and reach down to hold the K-1’s of each foot with the opposite hand. It’s a fun pose, and it is super-calming.
The Brain Gym activity called “Hook-Ups” is also very good for getting kids out of fight, flight, and freeze! Find instructions in the Movement Matters September 9, 2010 entry, Movement from the Heart.
If your child is stressing you out, you might want to practice one of these techniques on yourself first. The calmer you are, the better you’ll be able to calm your child.
And if you want to do it with a song and movement game, check out Movement Matters July 17, 2011. Fear Paralysis, Moro, and several other reflexes can be integrated to the tune of If You’re Happy and You Know It. And you don’t even have to take your shoes off!