Sacro Occipital Technique

What Is Sacro Occipital Technique?

SOT stands for Sacro Occipital Technique. “Sacro” means “the sacrum.” The sacrum is the foundation for the spine. The sacrum is often called the sitting bone. “Occipital” means “the occiput.” Occiput means “the back of the head or the top bone of the spine”. SOT is a method of normalizing the relationship between the foundation of the spine and the top of the spine. It is this relationship and how these two bones get along with one another, that has been proven to be so important in the normal functioning of the brain and spinal cord. Sacral Occiput Technique was formulated by Major Bertrand DeJarnette (The Major) who was a Doctor (chiropractor and osteopath) and Engineer in the 1920’s. An important distinction of SOT is the use of indicators. Each adjustment has a sign or signal that can be used to know when and where to adjust.

One of the examples include, muscle tension at the knee may indicate the pelvis needs correction, and connective tissue fibers at the base of the skull indicate different vertebra in the back or spine may be in need of an adjustment.

Categories Of Sacro Occipital Technique:

Category I: This category primarily deals with the primary respiratory mechanism between the sacrum and occiput. This relationship is described typically as pelvic torsion (twisting of the pelvis that makes it seem as if one leg is shorter than the other) with limited sacral nutation (tailbone movement). The spinal and cranial meningeal and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) systems function, to a degree, like a closed kinematic chain. Therefore the sacral or tailbone meningeal attachments and reduced movement can have an effect on the tissues above such as the spine with meningeal altered tensions, CSF stagnation, and altered vascular related function.

Category II: This Category involves over-motion or instability of the sacroiliac joint causing a dysfunctional relationship between the tailbone and pelvis. The sacroiliac weight-bearing joint sprain makes it difficult for the body to maintain itself against gravity and function at its optimum. It is common with this category to find low back imbalance which can affect the knees, shoulders, neck and TMJ with Category II patients. When Category II patients are not treated and the condition persists it can lead to a Category III type condition.

Category III: This category is commonly associated with severe low back pain relating to sciatica or disc herniations. Patients often have difficulty standing up straight and can be leaning to one side and forward. They will have pain when they cough or sneeze, attempt to sit or arise from a seated position, or even just putting on their shoes. It is also possible to have numbness or weakness in the legs.Method of correction:

SOT involves the correction of the spinal subluxation and visceral manipulation procedures. Visceral procedures are used to help normalize organ function without the use of drugs or surgery. SOT also recognizes the important role of normal cranial function in health and disease. The cranial bones and other cranial structures can cause central nervous system problems that are often overlooked or ignored by most other chiropractic systems.

Benefits Of Sacro Occipital Technique:

Sacro- occiput technique corrects abnormal spinal mechanics and any associated nerve problems. Other improvements can include back pain, headaches, dizziness, arm and leg pains.

Through the use of Chiropractic Manipulative Reflex Techniques (CMRT) your SOT practitioner can help normalize organ function in your body, including high blood pressure, digestive problems, urinary problems, toxicity, female reproductive dysfunction, etc.

Other head-related symptoms can also be treated by your SOT practitioner, including, but not limited to: TMJ, Tinnitus, Headaches, Visual disturbances, Ear infections, etc.

Goal Of The Sacro Occipital Technique Adjustment:

The true goal of SOT adjustment is to normalize the function of the entire body. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord which is the avenue of approach. The brain and spinal cord are used for this purpose because all studies of the human body show that their function is the primary function of the body. They act to control all other functions of the body as well. So, normalization of this function is the primary goal.

SOT adjustment will improve the functioning of the body, which leads to healthier body as well as healthier form and function. Sometimes this improvement initially is subtle and may not be readily apparent to the doctor or the patient, but it is there. Since everyone is an individual it is very difficult to predict with a treatment how a patient’s particular body will respond.

SOT practitioners have been found to be actively involved in both wellness and preventative care, which aside from the chiropractic treatment involves proper exercises, nutritious food, refraining from smoking cigarettes or excess alcohol intake and other activities that adversely affect your health.

Clinical experience and scientific investigation over the years have shown that SOT is in the forefront of those procedures which improve health. SOT works to a great extent by specifically positioning the body to use the weight of gravity and the body to correct the body. This occurs because of an interaction between the specific position the body is in and the motion of the body caused by normal breathing. .SOT is safe, gentle and an effective method of caring for body pain and dysfunction as well as in a program of wellness care or preventive health.