A Clinical Framework for Polyvagal Acupuncture® (PVA) and Polyvagal Massage ™ Introduction: Defining the Architecture of Trauma Trauma is an internal physiological state that overwhelms the system. When a stressor exceeds the buffering capacity of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), the brain bypasses verbal processing and hard-codes survival responses into motor reflexes and connective tissues. Read More
© 2025 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture® The Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR) is the earliest-appearing defensive reflex in fetal development, emerging as early as 5–8 weeks of gestation. It precedes all motoric fight-or-flight responses and represents the organism’s first organized reaction to threat: tonic immobility. This freeze state is characterized by stillness, bradycardia, breath-holding, and
© 2025 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture®. Most primitive reflex training programs, particularly those focused on pediatrics, emphasize postural and motor pattern reflexes such as ATNR, STNR, and TLR. Yet many of my early classes omitted the most foundational layer of the reflex hierarchy: the freeze responses. Startle, Fear Paralysis Reflex (FPR), and Core Tendon Guard
© 2025 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture®. First Published on Down the Polyvagal Rabbit Hole, March 2024 https://polyvagalacupuncture.blogspot.com/2024/03/tonic-labyrinthine-reflex-tlr.html Author: Dr. Jennifer Moffitt The Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR) is one of the earliest reflexes to appear in human development, emerging in utero and typically integrating by 4–6 months of age, though postural traces often persist
© 2025 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture®. The Landau Reflex emerges around 3–4 months of age and typically integrates between 12–24 months, depending on trunk tone maturity and the resolution of earlier primitive reflexes. It appears only after foundational flexor patterns—particularly the Tonic Labyrinthine Reflex (TLR), Asymmetrical Tonic Neck Reflex (ATNR), and residual Moro
© 2025 J. Moffitt. Registered U.S. Copyright Office. Polyvagal Acupuncture® The Current Understanding of Long COVID in Western Medicine Long COVID, officially known as Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection (PASC), presents with symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, dysautonomia, and exercise intolerance. Despite its prevalence, Western medicine has yet to identify a unifying mechanism behind
© 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
