Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex

TLR, or the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex, is the early flexion and extension movement of the head and neck. The reflex emerges in two distinct parts, first forward then backward, with the two working in tandem to create balance and stability. The action of leaning backward emerges to support an infant’s understanding of their position, and their limitations, in space.  We often see babies on their back, attempting to crane their head up to look backwards and beyond the ceiling above them. This early attempt, a function of TLR, to look straight behind them is often how they learn to flip onto their tummies without the use of their limbs.  

The integration of TLR aids our successful movement through space, helping the vestibular system with smooth and balanced navigation against gravity in everyday activities. Movement of the head forward and back safely supports spatial orientation through coordination. The movement of the eyes upward and downward similarly support visual processing by providing that spatial input. Without both parts of the TLR reflex introduced, challenges like a poor sense of balance and issues with depth perception may result. Motion sickness or disorientation may occur with changes in height, navigation of escalators or as a passenger in a moving vehicle. 

When TLR remains active, head control tends to be a challenge. A stiff or weakened neck is a key indicator of challenges in tone. With an immature TLR forward reflex, physical activity may be exhausting and hunched posture may reflect the low muscle tone. An immature TLR backward reflex results in dominant extensor muscles, toe-walking or navigation in stiff, jerky movements.