The mission and commitment of SOTO-I is focused on research to educate practitioners to be able to give better care. We continually strive to improve through research and publications as well as standardized practitioner certification.
The benefits of SOT® Methods Certification:
- establishes and promotes professional accountability and visibility
- increases confidence and skill levels
- increases referrals by identifying those professionals who have met specific standards of knowledge and experience in the practice of SOT
- adds authority to clinical opinions in medical reports
- encourages continued professional growth and development
- Enables practitioners to use the international standard of excellence logo in the promotion of their practices.
What is SOT® Methods?
Sacro Occipital Technic (SOT) is a comprehensive, gentle and innovative technique of chiropractic. It is so named because of the relationship between the Sacrum (base of the spine) and the Occiput (base of the skull).
Specialized integrated procedures include chiropractic biomechanics, nutrition, functional neurology, soft tissue reflexes and chiropractic Craniopathy addressing the craniosacral respiratory mechanism.
SOT® Methods chiropractors understand the mechanics and neurology of the body in an organised and practical way. SOT integrates easily and seamlessly with other chiropractic systems, so practitioners use several different techniques and approaches simultaneously to gather large amounts of information and then correct the underlying problem using highly effective, specific methods
SOT® Methods and SOT® Methods Craniopathy is the philosophy of art and science of restoring the innate healing capacity in humans utilizing a systemic and systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment of the neurological, structural and CSF flow mechanisms from a functional perspective.
The techniques utilized in SOT® Methods promote optimal innate healing mechanics for the spine, pelvis, cranium, organs, extremities, nervous system, brain and muscles. These techniques promote balance, neurological integrity and integrated function of the organ structure and neurological mechanism.
The Category System of Patient Analysis refers to the primary system dysfunctions recognized by M.B. De Jarnette as most common all-inclusive on patients seen in the chiropractor's office.
The category system of patient analysis offers the practitioner a logical, balanced approach to patient care, leading you to the proper treatment approach. The Sacro Occipital Technic (SOT™ Methods) indicators enable you to monitor your effectiveness and tell you when to change your approach.
- Category I
- Category II
- Category III
- Cranial Sacral Respiratory Mechanism
- Chiropractic Manipulation Reflex Technique
SOT® Methods visceral techniques allow you to understand and treat your patient for a full-body point of view, leaving no stone unturned. Chiropractic Manipulative Reflex Technique (CMRT) is an organized and effective approach to dealing with the viscero-somatic reflexes that are present in so many patients and that are a common cause of chronic subluxation.
Category I:
Fixation of the synovial sacro iliac boot, with associated meningeal system disruption. The spinal and intracranial dura is involved, along with the neurology, physiology and reflexes of the central nervous system.
Category II:
Dysfunctions of the weight-bearing parts of the sacro iliac joints. This usually involves a tear, sprain or strain of the hyaline part of the sacro iliac joint, and can have far-reaching consequences due to the effect that this problem has on proprioception, the muscular system, and the temporomandibular mechanism and cranial sutures.
Category III:
The discs and their blood supply. This is the category of most acute low back pain patients. SOT® Methods has special procedures for the care of these patients that is both effective and safe
Cranial Sacral Respiratory Mechanism:
The cranial sacral mechanism is a combination of integrated functions that support, nourish and enhance the performance of the nervous system as it controls bodily functions.
The components of the cranial sacral respiratory mechanism are:
- Respiratory motion of the sutural system of the cranium along with cranial bone flexibility.
- Respiratory motion of the sacrum between the two ilia.
- Tension of the dural membranes from its contact with the sutural system, the cranium, the upper cervical spine and the sacral base.
- The inherent quality of the cerebral spinal fluid to pulsate and flow through the dural membrane system. The growth and inherent respiration of the brain and ventricular system.
All other systems of the body have both a direct and indirect relationship to the cranial sacral respiratory mechanism (endocrine, cardiovascular, respiratory, etc.).
In SOT® Methods, structural analysis is based on objective clinical findings (indicators). These methods are based on normal physiology and how the physiology should react under certain conditions, i.e., Arm Fossae test is a challenge of multiple stimuli calling on the upper motor neurons system to coordinate function with the lower motor neuron system. Once these indicators are collected, the SOT™ Methods Chiropractor makes judgments as to the best treatment approach. One of three categories is chosen, based on the needs of either the cranial sacral mechanism, or the weight-bearing properties of the sacroiliac joint or the lumbar spine.
Included in SOT® Methods is Chiropractic Manipulation Reflex Technique (CMRT). CMRT is a system of organ function analysis and treatment as it relates to the spine and the occipital tendon insertions. This method not only allows you to find the major vertebral subluxation but also the degree of involvement, (cerebrospinal-meningeal, vertebral visceral or structural-vertebral). CMRT teaches a method of adjusting the vertebrae subluxation along with soft tissue reflexes to nourish the organ. The occipital fibers are based on the ability of the proprioceptive system (Golgi Tendons) to respond to muscles influenced by spinal subluxations and visceral and meningeal disturbances. CMRT allows the SOT® Methods Chiropractor to take a whole person approach to health. SOT® Methods also employs trapezius fiber analysis with spinal palpation to define spinal subluxation and cervical indicators to define lumbar subluxation. Extremity techniques are taught in SOT® Methods as part of its core curriculum since they are part of the weight-bearing system and can influence cranial sacral respiration.