Neurological reflexes, which develop in the womb and in infancy, are subject to abnormal development that can cause challenges such as learning disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and movement difficulties.

Until recently, practitioners have "integrated" these reflexes by movement therapy. In the past few years, a number of practitioners have been using the low level laser to integrate reflexes, often yielding faster results. The laser techniques, tailored to each primitive and postural reflex, consist of running the laser over acupoints and neurological pathways.

Practitioners using the method include chiropractors, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and laser therapists. Parents of children with disabilities are also using the simple-to-operate laser.

Reflexes

Reflexes are the building blocks of development essential for the maturation of cognition, movement, and behavior. For example, the fear paralysis reflex protects the fetus, causing a freezing of movement when the mother is in "Fight or Flight" mode. It thus prevents the fetus from making demands on the mother, and also blocks passage through the placenta of damaging hormones such as cortisol. An active fear paralysis reflex is often found in children with autism and OCD. This reflex prevents the person from "choosing" their response. They react first and cannot think logically about their decisions.

Many factors can cause a reflex to be abnormally developed, including genetics; stress during pregnancy and delivery (e.g., C-section); environmental toxins; lack of movement; diet; and brain injuries. Reflexes integrate in stages, have a timeline, and affect the infant's progress on all levels.

The Low Level Laser

The low level laser has remarkable photochemical effects at the cellular level. The laser's photons penetrate to several levels of tissue, depending on frequency, and can rejuvenate skin, fascia, bone, cartilage, and nerve tissue. Photons are absorbed by both the mitochondria inside the cell and the cell membrane.

Stimulation of mitochondria increases production of ATP, which governs 80 – 90 percent of cellular activity, including replication. Effects also include decreased inflammation of tissue and improved circulation. In the case of nerve tissue, the laser helps to restore the myelin sheath, which increases the speed and efficiency of impulse transmission.

A Case Study

Cody, a 14-year-old boy from North Carolina with spastic cerebral palsy, experienced significant improvement in movement, cognition, and behavior as a result of reflex integration by the laser. For most of his life, one hand was tightly constricted into a fist, and he couldn't straighten the arm. He was bent over at the waist, unable to stand or to sit straight, and he suffered nocturnal back spasms. He couldn't straighten his legs, and his toes were clenched. Cody is diagnosed with Oppositional Defiance Disorder, ADHD, autism, and OCD, and he is visually impaired.

Cody's parents had exhausted traditional therapies without seeing improvement in his arm's spasticity. After one laser session, Cody could release the clenched hand and straighten his arm. After additional sessions, he was able to sit up straight in his wheelchair and lift himself up onto a couch. He can stand up (with support) and is making good progress toward walking. His back spasms have almost disappeared; his feet can lie flat with less spasticity; and he can straighten his legs. He is "popping wheelies" in his wheelchair.

Cody's behavior and cognition have significantly improved, including a virtual end to temper tantrums. His hand flapping has almost vanished after using a laser protocol for autism. On a speech assessment, his score improved from 20/50 to 47/50. He is able to focus better and really enjoys therapy. He noticed a picture that had been hanging in his home for years and asked, "Who is in the picture?" When his mother asked him why, he said, "Now I can see the faces, even the nose and mouth." Friends and family comment on his continual progress.

Clinical Studies for the Low Level Laser

More than 3,000 clinical studies involving low level laser therapy for physical conditions have been published, including over 100 double-blind studies.1 Prior clinical studies concerning cerebral palsy therapy demonstrated a subsiding of symptoms, particularly of spasticity. In the latter case, the laser was supplemented by additional modalities.2 Studies have also demonstrated relief of brain injuries, osteoarthritis, tendinitis, back and neck pain, acne and other skin conditions, cosmetic rejuvenation, diabetic foot ulcer and venous ulcer wounds, dental disease, and numerous other conditions. Low level laser therapy has been shown to be free of side effects.

1. http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(09)61522-1/abstract
2.  http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2008SPIE.6846E..15A