I will call them "spasms" because that is the popular thing to do now. I know these things, though as primitive neurological reflexes. I
remember being told in my MA program, "work right through them." They
were something to be ignored. I
am only saying my spasms were primitive reflexes. I can't say this
about any others. "Primitive reflexes are automatic stereotypic
movements directed from the brainstem and require no cortical
involvement (thought)." http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CC0QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.eaglecanyonwellness.com%2Fold%2Fdocs%2FPrimitive_Reflexes.pdf&ei=eGNmVdb_Io63oQTY_4G4Dg&usg=AFQjCNGVl5L8S3M-lx0f6W3Mji0GtdM2sg&sig2=CRCp_CtsaiDVP1Eg4OxGXA
I
first noticed it years ago...I reached down with my left hand, with my
head turned towards my hand. I went into spasm- my left arm got tight
and my head was stuck there. It didn't last. I started saying words
before I left that place. I asked the Occupational Therapist if it was
ATNR (asymmetrical tonic neck reflex). She was surprised I knew such a
thing, but she answered 'yes.'
ATNR
eventually subsided on my left side. It has taken years. Now that I'm
moving my right hand, it's starting on my right. There is one that
involves my legs when lying down. Is it Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR)? I had to look this one up.
If the first subsided, I hope this will, too. It may be a sign that I am doing the right exercises and to keep on doing them.
The reflexes came back after my brain injury.
"Reappearance may be attributed to certain neurological conditions
including, but not limited to, dementia (especially in a rare set of
diseases called frontotemporal degenerations), traumatic lesions, and
strokes." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primitive_reflexes I would expect the reappearance of primitive reflexes if neurogenesis occurred at a low level.
Exercising shouldn't be stopped if "spasms" occur. Think of them like a sneeze.
You get a tissue. You don't stop what you are doing. So let the spasm
happen and keep on exercising. The same muscles exercised are usually
the ones to spasm. Work right through it. Those muscles may be getting
used to being used. Likewise, spasms elsewhere may be the body getting
used to using those muscles. My answer would be to exercise that area,
also.
