The tonic labyrinthine reflex, or TLR, is a pre-programmed reflex that is present at birth. Its main job is to help newborns understand and adapt to gravity. The name gives away its function:
- Tonic relates to muscle tone
- Labyrinthine refers to the vestibular (balance) system
When a baby’s head and neck flex, the whole body reflexively moves into more flexion. When the head and neck extend, the body shifts into extension. In this way, the reflex essentially splits the body into a “forward half” and a “backward half”, shaping how posture and balance develop in early life.
Why the TLR Matters in Childhood Development
This reflex is constantly at work during the first years of life. It helps the child in making sense of gravity during the process of moving through various developmental stages:
- Lying on stomach or back
- Rolling over
- Sitting
- Crawling
- Standing
- Walking
Because it underpins muscle tone and balance during these stages, the TLR tends to stay active for quite a while. It usually integrates somewhere between 3 months and 3.5 years of age.
What Happens if the TLR Doesn’t Integrate?
The Reflex “integration” is a matter of higher brain centres learning and making sense of the reflexive movement pattern and there after inhibiting the reflex and replacing it with more voluntary control. If the tonic labyrinthine reflex doesn’t switch off properly, it can affect posture, balance, and coordination well into adulthood.
Common signs include:
- Poor posture or poor postural endurance
- A slumped, “ape-like” posture — or in some cases the opposite, too much postural stiffness
- Vestibular issues, such as poor balance or motion sensitivity
- Coordination challenges, especially with tasks requiring timing and body awareness
- Difficulty syncing vision with head position, making things like catching a ball harder
How to Test If Your TLR Is Still Active
Try this simple screen:
- Stand with your feet together and arms by your side.
- Look up toward the ceiling and hold for 3–5 seconds.
- Look down toward the floor and hold for 3–5 seconds.
- Repeat the movement a few times.
- Now repeat again with your eyes closed.
What to look for:
If you notice excessive forward–backward sway that increases with each repetition—especially with eyes closed—it may indicate that the tonic labyrinthine reflex is still active.
How to Integrate the TLR: Three-Phase Exercise Approach
In the attached video I will walk through three layers of exercises designed to retrain the reflex:
Phase 1: Stimulate the Reflex
These movements purposely activate the original reflex pattern.
- Superman hold
- Crunch hold
Phase 2: Modify and Control the Reflex
Here, you bring the movement pattern out of the brainstem and into higher motor control areas of the brain.
- Prone ball throwing/catching
(Throwing a ball against the wall while lying on your stomach with arms and legs lifted) - Rainbow pass
(Passing a ball between hands and feet while lying on your back)
Phase 3: Override the Reflex Completely
Now the brain must stabilise the body through conscious control.
- Caterpillar movement
- Single- or double-leg stance
(Eyes open or closed, looking up and down to challenge balance)
Final Thoughts
A retained TLR can influence posture, balance, and everyday movement more than most people realise. The good news is that with the right targeted exercises, you can train the brain to supress the reflex, improve your coordination, and build a stronger, more responsive nervous system.