© 2025 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture® The fight-flight (FF) response is a short-term survival mechanism mediated by the adrenal glands and regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This endocrine cascade bypasses neural pathways, such as the vagus nerve, to prioritize immediate survival. In TCM, this dynamic is represented by the relationship Read More
© 2025 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture® The development of the ANS, including proper vagal tone and a healthy fight/flight/freeze response, is dependent on primitive reflexes that are present in the earliest life stages. Primitive reflexes are innate, instinctual, and involuntary movements that initially offer protective movements to sensory stimuli (Pryor). More
Primitive reflexes form the foundation of the human nervous system, acting as building blocks for complex motor and cognitive functions. These automatic, involuntary movements present at birth gradually integrate as the child matures. Controlled by cranial nerves in the brainstem, these reflexes establish a balance between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, supporting motor movement,
© 2025 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture®. Primitive reflexes (PRs) are foundational components of the human nervous system, and serve as essential building blocks for complex motor and cognitive functions. These automatic, involuntary movements are present at birth and were thought to integrate as the child matures, usually by the age of
