The Pugnacious Perez Reflex
We’ve seen it, the pelvis thrust forward, hands on the hips, elbows out to the side, it’s the gunslinger pose in the movies, the overbearing posture of the bully. We have all heard the complaints about poor digestion, bed-wetting, constipation, incontinence or sluggish gut that nothing seems to remedy. Maybe you’ve dealt with the flashes of temper, the stubbornly passive- aggressive behavior or the constant state of low-level irritability that never goes away. For adults it is the mothers in labor or guys in the gym who can’t access their core muscles no matter how hard they try. Meet the Perez reflex, the “core coordinator”, working with the abdominal muscles, intestinal tract, urinary/bowel systems and comes with a behavioral impact on our emotional and social well-being.
As a primary birth reflex the Perez’s first job is to help us wiggle down the birth canal, when it gets interrupted poor integration can result. Try pursing your lips and sucking air into your mouth, now be aware of the pull up the front of the body and down into your core. This is the connection between sucking and the Perez, so problems with breastfeeding, latching or eating can be tied to this reflex and later digestive problems. It signals the need to urinate, move our bowels, pass gas and helps the digestive system process foods through the intestinal tracts. In adults there can be a sexual component with these connections. Without it accessing the abdominal muscles for balance, movement, push energy/drive and feeling grounded is extremely hard. So, while I might be able to imitate a sit-up feeling where the movement comes from is like reaching into a void.
The posture for a poor Perez connection quite often has the pelvis pushed forward or tilted to the back with the chest thrust forward, these stances are using the torso and arms as a counterbalance for a weak core. This posture has a particularly challenging aspect, so people are quite often misjudged by the posture before they even have a chance to speak. A consistent level of irritability, quick temper, poor impulse control or very passive-aggressive behaviors can accompany this pugnacious posture leading to impacts on social behavior and emotional responses. If most people approach you assuming aggression, anger or attitude after a while it can become a self-perpetuating cycle.
Tips for recognizing a poorly integrated Perez
Trouble with the digestive systems, slow-gut, gas, bloating, abdominal pressure
Continence issues, bed-wetting, constipation, poor control of bladder or bowel
Poor core control, balance issues, activities like sports, bike riding or dance are a challenge.
Poor posture, lower back pain, hips thrust forward or arched back, torso and arms counter-balance hips
Overly aggressive or passive-aggressive behavior, constant irritability, poor impulse control
Like all reflexes the Perez affects both children and adults, adults may notice that behaviors and compensations that used to work in younger days are no longer as effective as they used to be. Welcome to another joy of aging! Doing movement- based Reflex Integration work can bring the Perez into inhibition also improving the outcomes and effectiveness of other treatments. Our work together starts in a prone position, progressing into a sitting then standing or moving posture assisting the body’s ability to handle the micro/macro shifts in balance and sense of gravity we take for granted daily.
A quick check for a poorly integrated Perez
Lie on the back with knees bent, feet are planted on the ground comfortably behind and several inches away from the buttocks
Keeping the back and hips solidly against the floor slide towards the head and back towards the feet in a gentle rocking motion
Allow the head to nod while try to keep the rocking motion gentle, smooth and fluid
Do this for 8 - 16 counts then stop and breath deeply for an equal 8 – 16 counts
If the hips are popping up and down, rocking side to side, bucking like a horse, jerky, stiff, small motion or no motion then the Perez is retained
While this may seem a simple activity, some people simply won’t know where to begin and may need a partner to assist them in finding the rocking motion by putting an arm behind the buttocks to gently help them slide back and forth.
Be it our physical or emotional well-being feeling grounded, in control and well balanced is a gift none of us take for granted. When one reflex impacts so many fundamental functions integration can make a huge change in the quality of someone’s life. I once had an adult client say, “This is the way it’s always been, I just thought this was part of who I am. What a relief to be wrong!” Be you young or old, the saying still holds true, every body should be a comfortable place to live in.
Should you have questions please feel free to contact me by email SenseEnabled@gmail.com or schedule a 30 minute complimentary phone consultation.
