Which reflex model is characterized by local spinal effects such as muscle hypertonicity and fixation?

The somato-somatic reflex model is characterized by local spinal effects that can include muscle hypertonicity and fixation. This reflex occurs when a stimulus to one part of the body generates a reflexive response in another area of the body via the spinal cord. For example, an injury or irritation in one region can lead to increased tension or rigidity (hypertonicity) in associated muscles, as the body responds to stabilize or protect the affected area. This model highlights the interconnectedness of musculoskeletal structures and how they can influence each other through neurological pathways.

The somato-somatic reflex emphasizes the way local mechanical or somatic changes can significantly impact muscle tone and joint function within a specific area. Conditions such as joint dysfunction or muscular strain commonly exhibit these reflexive patterns, where the original issue in one region elicits compensatory responses in surrounding tissues.

In contrast, the other reflex models involve different interactions (like viscerosomatic, which integrates internal organ response with somatic structures, viscerovisceral, which refers to organ responses to other organs, and somatovisceral, which details how somatic issues can affect visceral functions), making them distinct from the specific local effects observed in the somato-somatic reflex model.