The Plantar Reflex: What It Is, Signs of Retention, and How to Support Balance, Gait, and Nervous System Development
The Plantar Reflex is an early developmental reflex that supports foot awareness and preparation for standing and walking. When retained beyond infancy, it can contribute to toe walking, poor balance, foot tension, and postural instability. Nervous system-focused chiropractic care may help support improved gait mechanics, balance, and overall regulation.
The Plantar Reflex is a foundational primitive reflex that plays a critical role in foot development, balance, posture, and walking mechanics. While it is essential early in life, this reflex is designed to integrate as a child prepares to stand and walk.
When the plantar reflex remains active beyond infancy, it can quietly interfere with walking patterns, balance, posture, coordination, and nervous system regulation—often showing up as toe walking, clumsiness, poor endurance, or ongoing foot tension in children and adults.
At Nomad Chiropractic, we regularly assess retained Plantar Reflex patterns in babies, children, teens, and adults across Sydney’s North Shore and Northern Beaches, particularly in those with toe walking, balance challenges, foot fatigue, or poor postural stability.
What Is the Plantar Reflex?
The Plantar Reflex appears around 28 weeks in utero and is mediated by the brainstem and spinal cord. It is activated when the ball of the foot is stimulated.
The reflex response includes:
Curling of the toes
Increased foot muscle activation
In early development, this reflex helps with:
Sensory input from the feet
Early muscle tone development
Preparing the nervous system for standing and weight-bearing
When Should the Plantar Reflex Integrate?
The plantar reflex should integrate by approximately 9–12 months of age, as a child begins to stand and walk independently.
Once integrated, the nervous system allows:
Toes to relax and extend during standing
Heel-to-toe walking patterns
Stable balance and posture
Efficient use of the feet as a base of support
If the reflex remains active, the feet may continue to behave as if gripping the ground reflexively.
Why a Retained Plantar Reflex Matters
A retained Plantar Reflex means the nervous system continues to prioritise automatic gripping patterns in the feet rather than refined, voluntary control.
This can lead to:
Toe walking
Poor balance
Foot and calf tension
Inefficient gait patterns
Compensatory posture through the knees, hips, and spine
These patterns are often dismissed as “just a phase” or habit, when in fact they can be signs of neurological immaturity.
Signs and Symptoms of a Retained Plantar Reflex
In Babies
Curling of toes during standing attempts
Resistance to weight-bearing
Sensitivity when feet touch the ground
In Children
Toe walking or forefoot walking
Poor balance or frequent falls
Difficulty standing still
Foot fatigue
Sensitivity to footwear or textures
In Teens
Ongoing toe-dominant gait
Tight calves or Achilles tension
Poor postural endurance
Reduced sporting efficiency
In Adults
Chronic foot or calf tightness
Balance challenges
Postural fatigue
Inefficient walking or running patterns
Difficulty grounding through the feet
Many adults are surprised to learn that long-standing foot or balance issues may stem from retained primitive reflexes.
How the Plantar Reflex Affects the Nervous System
When the plantar reflex remains active:
The feet remain neurologically “on alert”
Balance requires more effort
Postural muscles compensate up the kinetic chain
The nervous system expends excess energy stabilising the body
This can interfere with:
Efficient gait
Athletic performance
Postural stability
Overall nervous system regulation
Over time, these inefficiencies contribute to fatigue and strain throughout the body.
Home Care Strategies to Support Plantar Reflex Integration
Professional guidance is important, but consistent home support is essential.
1. Encourage Barefoot Play
Grass, sand, and varied textures
Safe indoor barefoot play
Avoid excessive rigid footwear
2. Improve Foot Awareness
Toe spreading exercises
Rolling feet on textured balls
Balance-based play
3. Support Proper Walking Patterns
Encourage heel-to-toe walking
Slow, mindful movement
Avoid rushing or constant shoe use
4. Reflex-Based Movement Exercises
Specific plantar reflex exercises help the nervous system reduce reflexive gripping and improve voluntary foot control. These exercises should be:
Gentle
Slow
Repetitive
Practised consistently
(Always follow guidance from a trained practitioner.)
Chiropractic Care and the Plantar Reflex
Chiropractic care supports Plantar Reflex integration by improving spinal-brain-foot communication and postural input to the nervous system.
At Nomad Chiropractic, our nervous system-focused approach includes:
Gentle chiropractic adjustments
Support for spinal and pelvic alignment
Assessment of gait and posture
Age-appropriate care for babies, children, teens, and adults
Integration of tailored home-based reflex exercises
This approach is particularly helpful for:
Children who toe walk or struggle with balance
Teens with postural fatigue or sporting challenges
Adults with chronic foot, calf, or postural tension
Families across Sydney’s North Shore and Northern Beaches often seek us out for this developmental and neurological expertise.
Why Early Support Matters
When the Plantar Reflex remains active:
Walking and balance are less efficient
Postural strain increases over time
Physical confidence may be reduced
Early identification can:
Improve gait and balance
Support healthy posture
Reduce long-term strain on the body
That said, integration is still possible later in life, and many adults experience noticeable improvements once this reflex is addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is toe walking always caused by a plantar reflex?
Not always—but a retained plantar reflex is a common neurological contributor.
2. Can this reflex affect posture higher up the body?
Yes. Foot mechanics influence the knees, hips, spine, and overall posture.
3. How long does integration take?
This varies depending on age and nervous system stress, but many people notice changes within weeks to months or sometimes longer with consistent care.
The Plantar Reflex helps prepare us to stand and move—but it shouldn’t control how we walk forever.
If you or your child experience toe walking, balance issues, foot tension, or postural fatigue, a retained plantar reflex may be part of the picture.
At Nomad Chiropractic, we focus on nervous system-focused chiropractic care, supporting primitive reflex integration for families across Sydney’s North Shore and Northern Beaches, while educating families worldwide.
Homecare Movement Tips
We have a lot of homecare tips on our website here. But before you start doing every exercise under the sun we recommend getting checked and adjusted because some may integrate without the need of an extensive home-care regime with chiropractic care.
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A retained Plantar Reflex can quietly affect gait, balance, and postural stability long after infancy. When the nervous system continues to rely on reflexive toe gripping patterns, walking and standing may require more effort. Supporting neurological integration through targeted movement strategies and nervous system-focused chiropractic care may help improve grounding and coordination.
At Nomad Chiropractic, we focus on nervous system-based chiropractic care, supporting reflex integration for families across Sydney’s North Shore and Northern Beaches, and educating families worldwide.
Want to learn more? Book a FREE 15min discovery call with one of our North Shore Paediatric & Retained Primitive Reflex Chiropractors today: Book HERE
👉 Book a nervous system assessment today and take the first step toward calmer, more resilient living.
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Kolb, B., Gibb, R. “Brain plasticity and behaviour.” Annual Review of Psychology.
Teicher, M. H. et al. “The neurobiological consequences of early stress.” Biological Psychiatry.
Australian Spinal Research Foundation – Neurological development and posture resources.
Haavik, H. The Reality Check.
International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) Developmental Guidelines.
Panksepp, J. Affective Neuroscience. Oxford University Press.
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The information provided by Nomad Chiropractic is intended for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Chiropractic care, movement strategies, and nervous system–based approaches aim to support overall function and wellbeing. They do not diagnose or treat medical conditions, learning disorders, behavioural conditions, or developmental diagnoses.
Every child is unique, and responses to care may vary. Any concerns regarding your child’s health, development, learning, or behaviour should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek advice from your GP, paediatrician, or other appropriately registered health practitioner regarding specific medical concerns.
This content does not replace individual assessment or care. Decisions about your child’s health should be made in consultation with qualified professionals familiar with your child’s individual needs.
If toe walking, balance, or foot tension feel harder than they should, a retained Plantar Reflex may be contributing—book a nervous system assessment to explore supportive next steps.