The Tendon Guard Reflex – Understanding our Protective Reflex

Written By S. Christina Boyd
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The Tendon Guard Reflex is an instinctive reaction to a perceived threat, a sudden surprise, or high levels of stress. While it is called a reflex, it is not considered one of the primitive or postural reflexes, each of which has a distinct movement pattern. It would be more accurate to think of the Tendon Guard Reflex as a response to stress in the muscles that is initiated in the survival centers of the brain.

When activated, it engages the entire body in a protective response by triggering an instantaneous sequence of muscular contractions that begin in the big toe. The contractions move from the big toe along the foot tendon into the Achilles tendon and up the back of the legs to the hamstrings, through the low back, and all the way up to the back of the neck and head. Chronic tension in this network of tendons and muscles can lead to changes in posture, reduced sensory awareness, poor focus and comprehension, and fatigue. We might also experience soreness in the low back and spine, or headaches.

The Tendon Guard Reflex is a normal pattern of neural-muscular functioning. When activated, it makes us stop, hold our breath, and become very quiet, focusing on vision and hearing to scan our environment for danger. If there is true danger, we are prepared to deal with it as our fight/flight reaction has readied us for action. However, if there is no real danger or the danger passes, our muscles and tendons, as well as the production of stress hormones, should return to a normal, relaxed state.

What if we don’t return to a calm state?

The Tendon Guard Reflex can become fixed in a habitually activated mode, continuously sending stress hormones throughout the body and maintaining constant muscular contraction. This keeps the neural system in a continual state of alarm. We either withdraw into a freeze/hide reaction or we push forward in the fight/flight energy.

 
two drawings of the human body in fight/flight (leaning forward) and freeze/hide (tensely falling back) position.

Tendon Guard Response

illustrations by Carla Olson

 

In addition, we can be physically thrown off balance as we are suddenly tipped forward onto the toes as the backs of the legs shorten. When the heels are not able to comfortably reach the floor while standing or walking this shifts weight to the toes causing “toe walking.” We might then overcompensate and pull backwards in an attempt to regain our equilibrium.

Physical balance can be significantly affected. When the body moves forward onto the toes, the rest of the body attempts to re-align itself to maintain balance – the muscles of the lower back and neck contract to keep us upright causing a perpetually locked lower back and neck. This immobility of the spine decreases the flow of cerebral spinal fluid to the brain, and the back muscles can become so tight that low back and spinal problems may develop.

The Tendon Guard Reflex also plays a significant role in emotional response patterns and cognitive development. Foresight and planning reside in the frontal lobes of the brain. The development of these functions is a part of our brain’s growth that requires adequate cerebral fluids and appropriate neural signals. With a chronically activated Tendon Guard Reflex causing long term immobility of the spine, the natural flow of cerebral spinal fluid up to and around the brain is reduced, negatively impacting proper development and functioning of the brain. This can result in “brain fog,” difficulty in “seeing the big picture,” and an inability to plan and act within context – abilities that reside in the frontal cortex of the brain. Also, there is tension throughout the body and the neural systems, setting the stage for the possibility of emotional vulnerabilities, lack of flexibility (both physically and emotionally), and structural issues in the feet, legs, hips, and spine.

“Many children with developmental challenges have chronic tension in these tendons and muscles, with accompanying motor/emotional/cognitive issues and, in severe cases, postural or structural abnormalities. Children with autism and/or speech delays are often toe walkers with extremely tight calf muscles.”
— Mary Rentschler, M.Ed.

Children with speech delays often have very tense leg muscles. They may also exhibit motor, emotional, and cognitive issues in school. Often, when a child has developmental challenges or speech impairment they may have persistent tension in the tendon guard system. When it is chronically engaged, the child can be in a constant state of motion -- compulsive behaviors and hyperactivity as they push to work against the automatic tendency to pull back. Or, they may withdraw and contract (freeze response), tightening the abdominal, shoulder, and neck muscles as they emotionally, and unconsciously, seek safety through a narrowed field of attention, over-focus on details, and cautious movements. (see Awan)

 
 

Difficulties associated with a chronically activated Tendon Guard Reflex may include:

 

  • Poor posture and balance

  • Leg and or foot cramps

  • Low back pain

  • Poor coordination

  • Difficulty walking and running

  • Delayed speech and/or speech difficulties

  • Fear and anxiety

  • Easily stressed

  • Over-focused on tasks

  • Brain fog

  • Withdrawn and reclusive

  • Hyperactive

  • Stuck and unable to take action on things

 
 

Integration of the Tendon Guard Reflex

The Tendon Guard Reflex is meant to occur only for a short time as we search our environment for danger. Issues arise when it is over-engaged and habitually activated.  When fully integrated, this reflexive pattern alternates between activation in response to a perceived threat – such as a sudden, unexpected sound, intense stress, or loss of balance – and a state of rest once the threat is gone, the stress is reduced, or we have regained our balance.

A “mature” or integrated Tendon Guard Response allows for an easy “switch on” and “switch off” of this protective mechanism and supports healthy brain development and function. In an infant, as this switching happens, development of the brain and body are supported and strengthened. The maturing of the tendon guard response contributes to cognitive and physical development as it works alongside multiple other reflexes and movement patterns, such as lifting the head from a prone position, arching the back, raising and stretching arms and legs, and holding the head upright when sitting. All of these natural movement patterns work together to strengthen the muscles and neural systems of the back to support a child in future cognitive development and their movements such as standing, walking, an erect posture, and developing cognitive and emotional neural patterns in the brain.

The release of tension up the backs of the legs restores the natural length and flexibility of the tendons and muscles. We regain our natural muscle tone and comfortable stride with an easy vertical posture and we become balanced front to back. With this front to back balance, energy can move throughout the body and away from the survival centers in the brain, allowing our field of vision to expand. Whole body movement becomes more fluid and we can react to changes in our environment around us more quickly and easily. Children will find schoolwork much easier due to the ability to sit comfortably; they will be able to focus and concentrate on details; and they can experience their surroundings as being safe and non-threatening. Both children and adults will find it easier to engage with people and participate in life’s activities.

In the Brain Gym® model, we associate this back/front dynamic to the “Participation Midline” and the fluid transfer of energy between the pre-frontal cortex and the brain stem. The Lengthening Activities of Brain Gym are specifically designed to restore this back/front integration allowing us to “participate or hold back as appropriate, balancing the perception of details within a big picture context.” (see Dennison and Dennison p. 25). Follow this link to read more about the Participation Midline: The Three Dimensions of Movement.

The Tendon Guard Reflex in Therapy

Working with the Tendon Guard Reflex has become an important part of body-centered therapies. Trauma is held in the body and it is recognized that by releasing patterns of movement dysfunction or tension we can restore emotional and physical balance. We even find tendon guard release in equine therapy. Sky Riding, on Long Island, New York, offers Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. They use the “heels down” of horseback riding, typically used for safety purposes, to release the Tendon Guard Reflex. They recognize the link between a habitually activated Tendon Guard Reflex and physical tension and the inability to communicate.

 
“Therapeutic and classical horseback riding provide opportunities to stretch and relax the tendons and muscles along the back of the leg. Riding students are encouraged to bring their heels down, allowing their weight to drop into their heels. Exercising and stretching the tendons, which facilitates tension release via the Tendon Guard Reflex; helps bring the whole body to a renewed relaxation.”
— Sky Riding LI
 

Carla Hannaford, Ph.D. agrees that as the backs of the legs and calf muscles are relaxed and tension released, “cerebrospinal fluid flows more easily within the central nervous system and communication becomes freer. This relaxation has an interesting link to verbal skills, and greatly facilitates communication in speech-impaired and autistic children” (see Hannaford, p. 128). Physically, with an integrated Tendon Guard Reflex we experience an easy erect posture and freer movement. Emotionally and cognitively, we experience confidence in making choices and taking action, as we are able to foresee consequences. When children have a natural response and release pattern in the Tendon Guard Reflex, it brings “the support of good postural dynamics into movement development, sensory integration, attention, organization, comprehension, and overall cognitive development” (see Rentschler).

As an important part of motor, cognitive, and neural development, the Tendon Guard Reflex should be available and functional throughout our lifetime to respond to stressful events. If it is chronically activated, there are many interventions that can release this muscle/tendon system. And fortunately, it responds well to intervention. When released, the neural system has the ability to “reset” itself allowing energy to move away from the survival centers of the brain and into the frontal lobes where cognition takes place. We can then experience a sense of calm and a readiness to engage with people, in learning, and with life in general – and we will gain physical stability and flexibility.

 
 

Techniques to Help Release Your Tendon Guard Reflex

  • If you are familiar with Brain Gym®, the following activities support the release of the Tendon Guard Reflex:

    • The Gravity Glider
    • The Grounder
    • Arm Activation
    • The Owl
    • The Footflex – click here to watch a video demonstration similar to the Footflex. (45 sec)
    • The Calf Pump – click here to watch a video demonstration similar to the Calf Pump (5.5 min)

  • 1. On your bare foot, gently massage the length of your foot from the ball of the foot to the heel.
    2. Gently pull the big toe back toward the knee and hold while you lightly rub the large tendon that runs through the arch.
    3. Spread the toes and rub between the toes.
    4. Flex and extend your foot. This can also be a receptive technique by rhythmically flexing and extending the foot of a child or adult as they lie on their back. This creates a movement that gently rocks the body from toe to head.

  • Sit on the floor with legs extended to the front. Flex your feet and slowly reach for your toes to lengthen the backs of your legs.

  • This exercise is recommended only after you have done the Seated Leg Extension and/or the Calf Pump for several days to loosen up the Achilles Tendon.

    1. Stand on a step, such as a stairway or porch step. A handrail is necessary. While holding the handrail, put the balls of both feet on the step and let your heels drop down. Focus on relaxing the backs of the legs. Remain in this position for only one minute.
    2. As you continue to do this exercise over several days, slowly increase the time until you can comfortably drop the heels for five minutes.

  • Dr. Rosenberg teaches this exercise (see Rosenberg, p 209) to activate the neural fibers in the trapezius muscle to correct forward head posture. Because the Tendon Guard Reflex extends up the back, this exercise is also useful in releasing the muscle/tendon system when chronically tense.

    1. Cross your arms and rest them on your stomach. Gently rotate to look to your right, return to center, rotate to look to your left, return to center. Repeat several times allowing your arms to slide over your stomach as you rotate to each side.
    2. Next, raise your crossed arms to chest height. Rotate side to side as in Step 1.
    3. Now, raise your crossed arms as high as is comfortable (for example, to your forehead or over your head). Rotate side to side as in Step 1.

  • 1. Place your fingers at the base of your skull and gently press forward to lower your head. Each time you exhale, allow your neck to lengthen and relax. Think of your nose coming closer to your chest with each exhale. Relax your shoulders. After several breaths, bring your head upright.
    2. Turn your head 45 degrees to the right, keeping your shoulders facing forward. Repeat as in Step 1. After several breaths bring your head upright and face forward.
    3. Turn your head 45 degrees to the left, keeping your shoulders facing forward. Repeat as in Step 1. After several breaths bring your head upright and face forward.

 
 
 

The views expressed in this article belong solely to S. Christina Boyd based on 30 years of clinical experience as a movement therapist. If you would like further reading, please explore the source and related information provided.

 
S. Christina Boyd
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