Primitive reflexes are automatic movement patterns that babies are born with. They’re essential for early development—but they’re also meant to disappear. One of the most well-known of these early reflexes is the Babinski reflex, and if it doesn’t integrate on schedule, it can lead to challenges later in life. The good news: with the right sensory-motor exercises, you can help encourage its integration.
In this post, we’ll cover:
- What the Babinski reflex is
- Why we have it
- When it should naturally integrate
- What may happen if it doesn’t
- Exercises to activate, modulate, and override the reflex
What Is the Babinski Reflex?
The Babinski reflex (also called the plantar reflex) is a primitive response seen in infants. If you gently stimulate the sole of a baby’s foot—drawing a “C-shape” from the heel, up the outside edge of the foot, and then across toward the big toe—the baby will automatically:
- Extend the big toe upward (toward the face)
- Flare the smaller toes outward
What Is the Purpose of the Babinski Reflex?
In early infancy, an active Babinski reflex is a normal developmental stepping stone. Babies don’t yet have mature control of the foot, and primitive reflexes help them respond automatically to sensory stimulation.
But as they begin walking, their nervous system needs a different strategy. Instead of splaying the toes away from the ground, toddlers need the opposite:
- Toe flexion for gripping and stability.
- Flexing the toes is also protective for the sole of the foot when stepping on a sharp or uneven surface.
When Should This Reflex Integrate?
The Babinski reflex should naturally disappear (integrate) by around 12–24 months, aligning with early walking development.
Integration doesn’t mean the reflex vanishes entirely. It means that higher brain centres—especially the motor cortex—send signals down the corticospinal tract to inhibit the primitive reflex at the spinal cord level. The brain takes control, so movements become:
- Conscious
- Adaptive
- Purposeful
What Happens if the Babinski Reflex Doesn’t Integrate?
A retained Babinski reflex in older children or adults can have several explanations.
1. Neurological immaturity
In some individuals, the higher brain centres simply haven’t developed enough control to suppress the reflex. This can contribute to:
- Poor balance or clumsiness
- Awkward or inefficient gait patterns
- Weak intrinsic foot muscles
- Difficulty with movements requiring fine foot control
These individuals may benefit from sensory-motor training to stimulate integration.
2. Upper motor neuron lesions
If the corticospinal tract is damaged—such as from stroke, MS, or spinal cord injury—the brain may want to inhibit the reflex but cannot deliver the signal. In these cases, the Babinski reflex reappears or remains active.
For this post, we’re focusing on reflex retention due to immaturity, not pathological causes.
How to Help Integrate a Retained Babinski Reflex
We’ll use three categories of exercises:
- Activate the Reflex
Stimulate the sensory pathways - Modulate the Reflex
Strengthen the foot and create controlled movement - Override the Reflex
Challenge the nervous system to choose mature motor patterns instead of the primitive reflex
1. Exercises to Activate the Reflex
These exercises stimulate the sensory receptors on the sole of the foot—especially the same pathway that activates the Babinski response. This “wakes up” the circuits that you will later modulate and override.
Barefoot Walking on Varied Surfaces
- Aim for 30 minutes a day, if possible
- Walk outdoors on grass, gravel, pavement, or other uneven textures
This provides rich sensory input that naturally activates the reflex pathways.
Rolling a Tennis Ball Under the Foot
- Roll from heel to toes, covering the whole sole
- Can be done seated, standing, or during a wall squat
This increases sensory stimulation and helps your brain interpret pressure changes under the foot.
2. Exercises to Modulate the Reflex
These exercises strengthen the intrinsic muscles of the foot and help shift from automatic toe splay to controlled toe flexion.
Toe-Scrunching an A4 Paper
- Place a sheet of paper on the floor
- Use your toes to scrunch it toward you
This trains coordinated toe flexion and builds intrinsic foot strength.
To progress:
- Add a wall squat to the paper scrunch activity
3. Exercises to Override the Reflex
These advanced movements require the nervous system to activate mature, purposeful patterns instead of the Babinski response.
Pistol Squat or Single-Leg Squat + Picking Up Small Objects (like LEGO pieces)
This combines:
- Balance and control on the supporting leg
- Sensory stimulation from uneven or small objects under the foot
- Dexterity and fine motor control to pick up objects with the toes
This strongly reinforces toe flexion, even when sensory input might normally trigger toe extension.
Single-Leg Glute Bridge on a Raised Surface
- Place one foot on the edge of a step or platform
- Curl the toes over the edge to “grip”
- Perform alternating hip raises
This reinforces:
- Toe flexion
- Arch activation
- Leg stability
- Cortical control over reflex pathways
Wrapping Up
A retained Babinski reflex simply means that part of the sensory-motor system may need more targeted input and training. By stimulating and eventually integrating the reflex, you provide the brain with the sensory experiences and movement challenges it needs to develop mature control which is important for overall neurological health and function.