In the Palm of our Hands

The Infant Palmar reflex is an early grasping reflex where the fingers of an infant curl inward when the inside of the hand is touched. This reflex is closely associated with the Moro’s cling stage, helping find calm through embrace. Infants often hold tight not only to adult fingers but beloved objects to self-sooth. The hands also open and close as an infant’s suck reflex activates, demonstrating a close connection between grasping and our developing articulation and connection with others. Our hands have the power to send signals of safety and security to our brain through their grasping movement. 

Squeezing a soft, pliable ball may be a temporary outlet for nervous energy, the repetitive sensory distraction a helpful resource during brief moments of stress. Fidget spinners emerged as another small, portable device for those dealing with anxiety, ADHD and some autism disorders by providing a focal point along with the pleasing sensory experience. The idea behind calming strips is similar, redirecting focus with new sensory input designed to stimulate nerve endings on the fingers that in turn sends calming signals to the brain. 

While these resources may offer effective soothing tactics for the short-term management of social and emotional challenges, it’s important to identify and work on the root causes for behavioral patterns. At Thrive Therapy, our ultimate goal is always to empower our clients to understand themselves better and unlock practices that not only manage but reinforce positive development. By practicing rhythmic movements that support connections to the brain, we’re training our bodies to deal with stress from within.