MNRI® for Children with Cerebral Palsy

his abstract presents a study published in 2008 in the article, Masgutova Method of Reflex Integration for Children with Cerebral Palsy, edited by Susan Wenberg, M.A., D.C., and Mary Rentschler, M.A. at www.MasgutovaMethod.com. Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Primary Motor System Development “Infantile Cerebral Palsy” (S. Freud), the group of diseases concerned with motor disorders as the result of brain damage or dysfunction of certain brain centers, is usually acquired during the first years of life, at the time when the system of primary movement patterns is developing. Primary movements are genetically programmed not only for protection and survival, but also for the development of the conscious movement system. Developmentally their role is to support: • maturation of the nervous system (synaptogenesis, myelination and brain plasticity) • brain functions (cognitive development, emotional maturation) • sensory-motor integration. Dysfunctions of motor development and sensory-motor integration in the child with CP reflect the type of neurological insult and the developmental stage of the infant/child when the neurological insult occurred. The developmental stages can be divided into prenatal (in utero); natal (during the birth process); or postnatal (during the first years of life). Each developmental stage is vulnerable to specific neurological insults. Prenatal palsy can be caused by infection, intoxication of the fetus, or compromised health of the pregnant mother. Many primary motor patterns and reflexes develop in utero, such as Trunk Extension, Automatic Gait, Hands Grasp, Swallowing, and Sucking. Prenatal brain damage will cause poor expression of these reflexes and adversely impact the next stage of development. Natal palsy is generally caused by a neurological insult during birth: a consequence of premature birth, sudden delivery, narrow pelvis of the mother, use of forceps during delivery, etc. Natal trauma can negatively affect the activation of primary motor patterns and reflexes characteristic of a normal successful birth. In such cases the expression of these genetic programs will be abnormal. The primary movements and reflexes of childbirth, such as Head Righting, Spinal Perez, Tonic Labyrinthine in Extension, Crawling, Sequential Side Rotation, Spinning, and Sucking may be dysfunctional. Postnatal palsy is often caused by an infection with encephalitic symptoms. Other causes include childhood cranial injury, central nervous system injury, and poor systemic health. Infant motor patterns and reflexes will be stressed by postnatal CP, and may develop dysfunctionally or pathologically. Dynamic reflexes Svetlana Masgutova, Ph.D., Warsaw, Poland – Orlando, FL, USA