What is MNRI?
What is MNRI®?
The Masgutova Method®/MNRI (Masgutova Neurosensorimotor Reflex Integration®) uses reflex patterns to awake the genetic sensory-motor memory to make it faster and easier for the nervous system to self-restore the impaired functions. This can include- movement of the body (inability to walk, poor function), functions of vision (poor eye tracking and ocular vestibular abilities), hearing (poor decoding of words affecting comprehension), focusing, memory recall, thinking processes, emotional and behavioral regulation and more. Our unique MNRI® process, “The Missing Link” as professionals call it, has been developed over the last 30 years, verified by scientific and clinical research and life-proven results.
What disorders does MNRI® help with ?
When utilizing the MNRI® approach, therapists do not identify a problem or diagnosis that must be fixed, but instead, we are trained to look for what works and build on that firm structure by awakening the innate intelligence of nature within the body. If protection or survival is triggered by pain or by muscular exertion, the body is obliged to remain in a position of defense. When the body experiences safety, on the other it is free to explore, grow, experience new and more efficient pathways that lead to natural development and maturation. We have also seen highly significant results in work done with children and adults with neuro deficits and challenges in learning, particularly with:
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Cerebral palsy
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Autism
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Dyspraxia - delay in motor development and speech
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Delay in cognitive and intellectual development
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Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD, ADHD)
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PTSD
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Epilepsy
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Emotional disorders
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Speech disorders such as Apraxia
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ADD and ADHD and other attention disorders
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Specific Learning Disorder - Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia
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Genetic disorders such as Down Syndrome
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FAS – Fetal alcohol Syndrome
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Other deficits
What makes MNRI® different from most therapy approaches?
Our research-based MNRI Method® is built on science and reproducible success. There are two pathways of perception of the external world- classic (cortical or consciously controlled) and sub-cortical (natural, spontaneous, reflexive response). A child and an adult in stress automatically use their sub-cortical brain and its survival mechanisms. Currently, the majority of traditional therapy methods use a cortical or "top - down" approach and thereby limit the therapeutic outcome and effects. Essentially, the traditional therapy is designed to teach a skill or concept, then through reinforcement, attempt to have the newly learned outcome (e.g., naming something in a picture, drawing a letter, standing on one foot, etc.) occur with increasing success when the task is presented. The difficulty with this is that when specific reflexes are not integrated, a person is forced to function neurologically in the brainstem or midbrain and learning can be very difficult, thus requiring therapy to address this skill. In contrast, our new sub-cortical approach of reflex integration allows the problem to be addressed at its level of cause bringing natural recovery and neuromodulation. The outcome is that learning occurs more naturally and with fewer required repetitions after reflex integration has occurred.
So what does an MNRI® exercise look like?
The techniques are easily reproducible and are repeatedly efficient. Work aimed at integrating primary infant reflexes involves: (step 1) providing a precise stimulus (sensory or proprioceptive) to activate the reflex and (step 2) facilitate an in-depth motor experience of the reflex pattern to activate, awaken, or create a more efficient neurological pathway.The process of methodically repeating the original motor pattern of the reflex response is followed by the experience of the same movement in the opposite direction and is then followed by all possible directional variants of the motor response pattern for the specialized stimulus. The goal is to make a clear connection between sensory stimulation and the motor response. Once this connection is awakened, based on the natural genetic tendencies toward protection, survival, growth, and development the response of the body will naturally gravitate to the most adaptive and efficient functioning.
My child or family member is not always able to follow directions. Can they still do MNRI®?
Yes. The most impactful part of MNRI® is that exercises can be completed in an active or completely passive way. The therapist is able to determine the level of reflex integration and from there can decide which exercises will facilitate integration with the most success.
Won't repeated exercise make muscles fatigue?
No, because precise timing and gentle touch are the key factors in each exercise, not trying to max out the muscle to the point of exertion. Precise timing and gentle touch correlate with principles of how the brain best registers and anchors new learning. For example, an exertion of only 20% of one’s strength is requested when the motor response is performed against resistance, so the learning is relaxed and natural. The integration process is usually sustained for at least seven seconds, so the brain has time to anchor the information.
Interested in reading more about MNRI®?
Click here to download a PDF of the article "Neurophysiological Foundation of the MNRI Reflex Integration Program®"