The brain and the spinal cord forms the central nervous system which is the master control system of the body. The regulation and control of all body organs and systems is carried out by complex nerve impulses generated in the brain and transmitted down the nerve cord through nerve roots to every part of the body. Messages are transmitted through nerve channels from the brain to the organs and are retransmitted from organs back to the brain. This allows the brain to regulate and control all the systems to produce a healthy body.
Cerebrospinal fluid (C.S.F.) is produced in the brain and is pumped from the brain down the spinal cord, around the spinal cord and brain and is then reabsorbed. A sac-like membrane (Dural Membrane) covers the brain and spinal cord in which it is immersed in C.S.F. The C.S.F acts as a cushion protecting this delicate mechanism. C.S.F. also provides nourishment, removes waste material and provides an ideal medium for nerve energy conduction.
C.S.F. is circulated throughout the nervous system. C.S.F. is created in the brain and supplied to the nervous system through the gentle pulsing action of three pumps. The first pump is located in the skull at the source of the supply, the second is located at the juncture of the skull (Occiput) and the neck and the third pump is located at the pelvis (Sacrum). This pulsing motion takes place every four seconds.
A minute regular rhythmic motion between the occiput and the sacrum circulates the C.S.F. around the brain and spinal cord and throughout the nervous system. This sacral pump is the circulatory system of the brain and spinal cord and its function is paramount to normal health.
The basis of the human structure is the pelvis. The pelvis supports the spine and skull, the shoulders and arms and, below the pelvis, the legs and feet. The internal organs are suspended by ligaments that attach to the spine and pelvis. The large upper thigh and important back muscles, including those responsible for neck and shoulder stability are attached to the pelvis. All these structures must be balanced, co-ordinated and maintained by a stable pelvis in order to produce normal nerve action.
Sacro-Occipital Technique (S.O.T.) is a comprehensive and advanced concept of Chiropractic pioneered and developed through study, research and clinical application by Dr. M. B. DeJarnette. For more than half a century Dr. DeJarnette researched and studied every aspect of physiology and anatomy and clinically found that human structural distortion falls into three basic groups. He labelled these groups as Categories 1, 2 and 3.
SOT gets its name because it recognises - and uses - the relationship between the Sacrum (base of the spine) and the Occiput (base of the skull) as the key to proper body function.
Your SOT practitioner has attended numerous post graduate courses. He/she is trained to detect different categories (1, 2, 3) which are a compensation of the body to stress. These stressors may be physical, chemical or emotional. The compensations - or subluxations - produced interfere with the central nervous system and lead to a compromise in the full expression of your health potential.
Resulting distortion of the spinal and cranial system and imbalance in the flow of cerebro-spinal fluid around the brain and spinal cord can lead to increased toxicity, lack of nutrition and loss of nerve function around the whole body.
Typically an SOT doctor of chiropractic uses a simple and restful method of adjusting your spine, pelvis and cranium - thus the central nervous system.
S.O.T. is not a therapy that treats named diseases. It is a system of removing the cause of nerve malfunction using minimum force to restore and maintain health.
S.O.T. employs the use of wedge shaped blocks to allow the body to seek its correct alignment and balance. There are many combinations of block positions used, and these are determined by tests that precede each adjustment. S.O.T. recognises the importance of body language in the form of neurological tests, weak muscles, tender areas and other signs and indicators, to determine the type adjustment needed.
Craniopathy is a specialist field in Chiropractic which deals with the micro motion of the cranial vault (skull), its distortions and ultimately the effect it has on normal cerebro-spinal fluid flow and the nervous system. This science has been developed through study, research and clinical application over fifty years by Dr. M. B. DeJarnette.
The brain represents 80% of the central nervous system and is contained and protected by the skull (Cranium). The cranial vault is made up of eight cranial bones joined together at sutures (tongue and groove joints) which allows for cranial micro motion.
Within the cranial vault are anchor points for the dural membrane which separates the brain into quadrants and support the entire mechanism. These tension membranes act rather like guy ropes on a tent and prevent the brain from twisting or being compressed when the position of the head changes.
In order to allow the brain to expand and contract the cranial vault has to comply accordingly. Thus on inhalation the cranium expands. The sutures separate and allow the brain to expand. On exhalation the brain contracts and the sutures close. This is micro motion of the cranium.
The dural membrane (the tension membranes) not only anchors in the cranial vault (in particular at the occiput), but it also anchors at the sacrum holding the spinal cord in position so that it does not rotate or become displaced by normal movement.
This sacro-occipital pumps provides the mechanism for C.S.F. circulation around the brain and throughout the nervous system. This function is dependent on a stable balanced cranium, spine and pelvis.
Cranial distortions occur when the body is subjected to stresses to which it cannot adapt. Stresses in the form of.. Physical - birth trauma, sports injuries, motor accidents Chemical - food additives, drugs. Environmental - pollution. Mental/Emotional - stress, overwork and terminal seriousness.
These can cause pelvic and spinal distortions and these imbalances create a tightening of the muscles on the outer surface of the cranium and tension on the membranes inside the cranial vault. The cranium distorts accordingly and the cranial bones move out of alignment pulling on the brain, twisting the spine and unbalancing the sacro-occipital pump mechanism. This interferes with free C.S.F. flow, creates toxicity, affects nutrition and impedes essential nerve energy conduction to all parts of the body.
As your body responds and heals, stress areas around the body are eliminated and natural tolerance levels are reinstated.
Of course, this simplistic explanation doesn't take into account all the training and experience your SOT chiropractor has undertaken to correctly identify and correct the underlying cause.
Chiropractors are the only health professionals qualified to use SOT. The precise analysis and gentle corrections used by your Chiropractor can remove many of the effects of cranial stress and distortions and help restore the brain and the nervous system to its normal function.
They have years of dedicated training, study and experience - ensuring SOT is safe, very gentle and extremely effective.
See the site of the Sacro-Occipital Technique Research Society International for more information.
