What is a withdrawal reflex?
A withdrawal reflex is an involuntary process that causes a part of the body to automatically pull away from something that is causing pain. Also called a flexion reflex, it is a three-stage process that involves nerves sending a message to the spinal cord to tell the muscles in that part of the body to flex and pull away from the source of the pain. The primary purpose of this involuntary reaction is to help prevent or minimize injury. In some cases, such as when an arm or leg is affected, a withdrawal reflex may be aided by a cross extension reflex to help better protect the body.
