S.O.T.
Sacro Occipital Technique
1. What does S.O.T. stand for?
S.O.T. stands for Sacro Occipital Technique. “Sacro” means related or associated with “the sacrum”. The sacrum is the foundation of the spine.
Occiput means “the back of the head” So S.O.T. is the method of normalising the relationship between the foundation of the spine and the top of the spine. This relationship and how these two bones get along with one another has been vital to the normal functioning of the brain and spinal cord. The word “Technique” means “the way to get the job done scientifically and in a short period of time”.
2. How is S.O.T. different than other chiropractic techniques?
S.O.T. (Sacro Occipital Technique) is composed of highly accurate and effective clinical procedures. Dr DeJarnette ( the founder) spent most of his life conducting clinical investigations into what works in chiropractic. He also determined when the correction of the spinal alignment was not enough and devised visceral (to do with organs of the body) adjusting procedures. These procedures are used to help normalise organ function without the use of drugs or surgery.
S.O.T. also recognises 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 other chiropractic systems.
3. Exactly what function of the body does S.O.T. correct?
S.O.T. concerns itself primarily with the cranial sacral respiratory mechanism. This is a wave-like oscillation in the covering of the brain and spinal cord. Although quite subtle, this motion is essential for the normal functioning of the brain and spinal cord, and thereby the rest of the nervous system and the rest of the body. It functions much like breathing air in and out. The normal function of the cranial sacral respiratory mechanism is recognised as a primary function of the body and must be normal if all functions of the body are to be normal.
Like other chiropractic techniques, S.O.T. also corrects abnormal spinal mechanics and any associated nerve problems. These can include back pain, headaches, dizziness, and arm and leg pains. Also helped are conditions of high blood pressure, digestive problems, urinary problems, toxicity, female reproductive dysfunction… the list goes on and on. Many head-related symptoms can also be helped by your S.O.T. practitioner, including but not limited to vertigo, visual disturbances, ear infections and the not-uncommon ringing in the ears.
4. Will it make the pain go away?
Getting rid of pain is important. At all times during an S.O.T. adjustment the comfort of the patient is considered. But eliminating or killing the pain is not the main goal of an S.O.T. adjustment. The true goal of an adjustment, and particularly an S.O.T adjustment, is to normalize the function of the entire body.
The central nervous system – the brain and spinal cord – is the avenue of approach. So normalisation of this function is the primary goal. As this goal is obtained, the pain will go away. But elimination of pain is simply a side effect of normalising the cranial sacral respiratory mechanism.
5. Will I have to keep coming back?
S.O.T. is proven to obtain lasting results in a short time. These results are demonstrated as reduced pain and improved function in all parts of the body. A patient just starting with S.O.T. care will often notice such great improvement in a short time that they will feel they are completely healed. But with the precise analytical methods of S.O.T., problems in the body can be detected even though they are not causing pain. So it is a wise investment on the part of the patient’s part to stay with a program of care which detects problems before they start to hurt. The saying attributed to Benjamin Franklin applies “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound Cure”.
6. Is this a proven method?
S.O.T has been shown to be clinically effective in thousands of cases worldwide. This method of health care is constantly improving and finding new proof of its effectiveness. Many of the other chiropractic techniques use principles that were originally discovered and written by DeJarnette. The validity of Dr DeJarnette’s work is proven every day by the practice of these techniques. A trained S.O.T. practitioner will apply S.O.T. as Dr DeJarnette developed it.
7. Will it make me healthier?
Yes! Any S.O.T. adjustment will improve the function of the body, which is health. This improvement may not be readily apparent to the patient, but it is there. Of course, since it is very difficulty to predict what is going to happen in one’s health, it is double hard to say a particular procedure prevented an illness, injury or bad occurrence. But clinical experience and scientific investigation over the years have shown that S.O.T. is in the forefront of those procedures which improve health.
8. Does the adjustment cause pain in my body?
No!! S.O.T. works to a great extent by specifically positioning the body to use the weight of the body to correct itself. This occurs because of an interaction between the specific position the body is in and the motion caused by normal breathing. Many times the patient will feel very relaxed during the adjustment. There is some pain when specific points of correction are located. This is more a “good pain” than a “bad pain” it serves mostly to let the doctor and patient know that a point needing correction has been found.
