Exercising with children - reflexive turning - 2nd phase from the side

2nd phase of the reflexive turning starts in a position on the side. It contains movement processes, which are occurring during a spontaneous turning, crawling and walking to the side. Upper and lower extremities on the lower side of the body create a support. They are moved against the gravity upwards and forward. The muscle activation is activated in shoulders and elbows which subsequently creates support in the hands. The whole process of turning end with crawling on all fours.

The following exercise is designed for parents, who absolved education of the Vojta method from a professional physiotherapist and they want to repeat it in order to avoid mistakes. We will show you how to activate the movement patterns by activation positions and trigger points.

Goal of the exercise:

Activation of the congenital motion programs

Default position

Place the child in position on all fours, where the trunk and head are in one line
Shoulder and hip joints should be below each other
The head is extended from the body
Place the upper part of the lower arm into right angle against the torso
Bend your lower leg in hip and knee in 90 degrees
Place the upper arm on the side of the chest
Place the lower arm on the leg in a 90 degree bend in the hip and knee

Phase 1

In second phase of the reflexive turning are used activation zones similarly as by reflexive crawling - most commonly on the medial edge of the shoulder blade and anterior superior iliac spine

Reactions, which we expect in the 2nd phase of reflexive turning is:

Upper and lower extremities on the lower side are stretching, opposite extremities are bending - the supporting function of the lower shoulder is getting stronger and is transferred on the arm, supporting function of the leg is transferred from pelvis through thigh to the knee
Straightening the spine during the whole turning process
Holding the head in position on the side against gravitation

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Phase 2

Reactions, which we expect in the 2nd phase of reflexive turning is:

Upper and lower extremities on the lower side are stretching, opposite extremities are bending - the supporting function of the lower shoulder is getting stronger and is transferred on the arm, supporting function of the leg is transferred from pelvis through thigh to the knee
Straightening the spine during the whole turning process
Holding the head in position on the side against gravitation

Common mistakes

Not keeping the basic default position
The pressure on the trigger zones is not performed in the relevant direction

How often to exercise

Several times a day (4 - 5x)

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