aero Occipital Technique (SOT) is an assessment and treatment method of chiropractic developed by Major Bcrtrand DcJamcttc. DO. DC in the late 1920s. Prior to beginning a career in chiropractic, a nineteen-} car-old DcJamcttc embarked on a career as an engineer within a group of elite engineering students hired by the Ford Foundry for research and development. One day not long after beginning his employment at the foundry, he was walking up the steps to his work when an explosion occurcd in the building. He was thrown nearly 30 feet and barely survived his injuries, everyone else was killed. During that era in American history, anyone involved in an explosion was considered "bad luck" by potential employers and society at large. He felt despondent about his future engineering career, confused as to why he alone survived, and in excruciating pain due to the injuries he sustained. Contemplating suicide while standing on the highest bridge in town, he felt something touch him and tell him that he lad important things yet to accomplish. At the time he was not an especially spiritual person, but he was shaken enough by the experience to get down to the bridge. He walked around aimlessly until he collapsed in front of a house, exhausted. In the morning the homeowner, who fortuitously happened to be an osteopath, discovered the young DcJamcttc asleep on his front steps and offered to help him1. When the osteopath realized how injured DcJamcttc was. he suggested that he attend an osteopathic college where he could learn and continue to receive care. After graduating with an osteopathic degree, he later attended chiropractic college. Upon graduating, he established his chiropractic practice in Nebraska City. Nebraska. He always felt there was a reason why-he survived, and that he had a duty to make his life meaningful by improving the welfare of others1-2. DcJarnctte had a photographic memory and could read a full page, rather than a single word, at a time. His abilities likely led to why he was able to write over 140 books and articles. For DcJamcttc. research was an essential part of being a chiropractor, and essential to the future of the chiropractic profession. As early as July 1935. he was a featured speaker at the 40th Anniversary Convention 1895-1935 of the National Chiropractic Association, presenting clinical research. Always. research was his passion. In an interview in 1982 DcJarnctte reiterated. "As far back as chiropractic college. I saw the need for a more scientific basis for chiropractic theory. My own personal physical problems had not been solved by medicine, osteopathy, or chiropractic: so I began experimenting on myself. I"m still at it. and I can sec no end of the need for continuous research in chiropractic"." When Dr. DcJarncttc began to stud}' the treatments he rendered, he realized tliat if any meaningful information was to evolve from his experience, he would have to resolve it himself. He realized that explaining how his discoveries evolved was more difficult than the process of developing new diagnostic and therapeutic interventions4. "Research is a study of what you have, and what you need to make it better, and how to make it better is the final research step5." "Research in Chiropractic must go on forever. Someone must do this type work, for it simply will not take care of itself. A profession cannot stand still. Momentum must constantly be generated. Chiropractic research needs many things it docs not now have''." 1,7 Three Novel Concepts DeJarnette utilized concepts of evaluating the body's presentation as a three dimensional holograph which is affected by a matrix of intcgrativc activities. He investigated how sustained strcssors to the body create distinct retained patterns of distortion in the neuromusculoskelctal system. He ultimately used his experiences to develop methods of categorizing three specific primary body distortion patterns. 1. He factored Ostcopathic principlics relating to cerebrospi-nal fluid (CSF) circulation, dural membranous tensions, and cranial bone dynamics into chiropractic analysis and treatment. 2. He determined that there arc two parts to the sacroiliac (SI) joint, a posterior weightbearing supportive hyaline structure and an anterior synovial membranous joint that allows for joint nutation. 3. From an engineering standpoint he realized that the majority of the weight or stress from structures above the SI joint rests upon the posterior SI joint, whereas inferior to the SI joint the stress is spread 50% to each hip joint. DeJarnctte's three novel concepts led to the development of three specific categories of analysis: Category One: relates to the anterior synovial SI joint's nutation and its relationship to dural tension and CSF circulation. Category Two: relates to the posterior SI weightbearing joint. Category' Three: relates to the body's adaptation to the inability to distribute weight through the posterior SI joint and its subsequent transmission (via iliolumbar ligaments and saerospinalis muscles) to the lumbar discs and spine. Integrating Viscerosomatics and Cranial Biodynamics into SOT Utilizing the categories of analysis and treatment. DeJarnette found specific ways of incorporating treatment relating to vis-ccrosomatic and somatovisccral rcilcxcs. and specific organ manipulation into an indicator based system of care entitled Chiropractic Manipulative Reflex Technique (CMRT)S. Incorporating cranial, mcningeal. and CSF analysis and treatment'' into a systematized methodology of care was also integrated into his category system. This allowed the doctor to use prc- and post-adjustment indicators to assess when and where care is needed and whether the care rendered was successful. His cranial system of analysis involved palpation for pain, functional assessments, and palpation of cranial compliance1'. This allowed fora generalization of patient presentations into a system of anah sis and care that followed a logical and reproducible progression". With persistent extremity imbalance due to trauma, asymmetrical function and various other possibilities. DeJarnettc developed a system of extremity anah sis and treatment relating to the feet, ankle, knees, and hips as well as from the scapula, shoulder, and elbow. Since unbalanced function can be specific to a joint or factors, distal or proximal, the whole kinematic chain of influence is considered with SOT extremity analysis and treatment7. Therefore while SOT is considered a chiropractic technique, it is more an inclusive paradigm of health that attempts to integrate whole body function, nonmusculoskeletal interrelationships, and preventative care. Sacro Occipital Technique Organization (SOTO) - US A was formed in 1999 to disseminate the teachings of DeJarnettc. and bring SOT into the evidence based chiropractic community. That involves responsibh perfonning research to support the findings of SOT doctors, being circumspect about our claims, and modifying SOT to fit the current research. SOTO-USA has been able to teach SOT according to DeJarnettc"s completed works, while bringing his work into 21st century language. SOTO-USA focuses continuing its SOT certification program, with systematized syllabi, books, lesson plans, and certified instructors, along with written and practical SOT and cranial certification examinations. One aspect that SOTO-USA believes is important for the future of SOT is researching its clinical outcomes as well as its reliability and validity. Another crucial aspect for the future of SOT is interdisciplinary care. Certification Program In 2014-15 SOTO-USA is presenting SOT and Cranial Certification Programs at the University of Western States, Palmer College of Chiropractic Davenport. Palmer College of Chiropractic Florida, Southern California University of Health Sciences, and in Northern California. Our annual SOT and Cranial Certification examinations will be given this year at the SOTO-USA Clinical Symposium May 7-10, 2015 in New Orleans. Research SOTO-USA lias a three-pronged focus with regard to research publication: (1) regularly presenting research at chiropractic (ACC/RAC". WFC". ECU12. IRAPS" COCA14 and ACH15) and interdisciplinary research conferences. (2) having annual SOT Research Conferences1" (May 7.2015 will be the 7th) that give doctors the ability to become familiar with submitting, preparing and presenting SOT related research in a professional and collcgial manner, and (3) submitting research for publication in peer review journals. Interdisciplinary Relationships Pioneering dental/chiropractic co-treatment of temporoman-dibular joint disorders (TMDs). SOTO-USA is a member of the Alliance of TMD Organizations'7, a group of predominately dental based groups totaling 14.000 members that specialize in treatment of tcmporomandibular joint disorders. SOTO-USA has regularly been presenting research at the Interdisciplinary-World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain 18. at the North American Brain Injun' Conferences and John Hopkin"s Integration of Complementary and Alternative Medicine into Clinical Practice Conference. Multiple papers have been presented at main chiropractic research conferences sharing how SOT care can integrate with various interdisciplinary fields such as dentistry, medicine (e.g.. cardiology, neurology, gastrointestinal, gynccology. etc.). osteopathy, optomctry. acupuncture, ayurveda. pediatrics, and pregnancy. At this time. SOTO-USA is not just about furthering the work of DcJamcttc. but about helping chiropractic and chiropractors move forward. This is accomplished by aiding doctors in clinical practice to share their findings in the research community. as well as sharing up to date findings from the research community with doctors in practice. Developing an understanding of chiropractic's role in nonmusculoskelctal therapies and how to integrate with allied healthcare providers, will ultimately offer patients improved therapeutic low risk options. Expanding chiropractic's role in healthcare delivery through education of our allied healthcare partners will also facilitate care of patients with secondary head, neck and back pain conditions associated with oncology, menstrual syndromes, pregnancy, brain trauma. TMD. and other conditions/syndromes. SOT is an inclusive chiropractic paradigm of care that easily integrates various adjusting methods and methodologies. DcJarncttc's life's work offers chiropractic an indicator based system of analysis and treatment to expand and enhance any chiropractors current practice. Please consider becoming a member of SOTO-USA. attending an SOT certification series or our annual symposium May 7-10.2015. or simply becoming more familiar with SOT by visiting the SOTO-USA website at www.SOTO-USA.org. Charles L. Blum, DC is in private practice Santa Monica. California, director of research for Sacro Occipital Technique Organization - USA, adjunct research faculty at Cleveland (. liiropractic College and teaches the Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) elective class at Palmer College of Chiropractic - West and Southern California University of Health Sciences. References: 1. Renienihering the .\ lajor. Panel Discussion at the Sacro Occipital Technique Organization 1,'SA 15th Clinical Symposium. Redondo Beach. California. May 17, 2014. 2. Major Bertrand DeJarnelle. WikiChiro.org. (hltp: wikichiro. org en index.php'/'title-Major Bertrand DeJarnette] Last accessed September 26. 2014. 3. DeJarnette MB. Cornerstone. Todays Chiropractic. Jul.-lug 1982:82: 22,23.28,34. 4. DeJarnette MB. Sacro Occipital Technique - Research. The Sacro Occipital Technique Bulletin. Mar 1975. 5. DeJarnette MB. Sacro Occipital Technique - Research. The Sacro Occipital Technique Bulletin: May 1975:2-3. 6. DeJarnette MB. The History of Sacro Occipital Technic. Nebraska City, \'B: Privately Published. 1958:27. 7. Sacro Occipital Technique. WikiChiro.org. fhtlp: wikichiro. org en index.php'title Sacro Occipital Technique]Last accessed September 26, 2014. cessed Chiropractic Manipulative Reflex Technique. WikiCliiro.org. [http://wikichiro.org, en index.php'} title Chiropractic Manipulative Reflex Technique I Last accessed September 26. 2014. Chiropractic Cranial Technique. HlkiChiro.org. fhllp: wikich-iro.org en index.php?title Chiropractic Cranial Technique] Last accessed September 26. 2014. Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) /Research Agenda for Chiropractic Conferences, fhllp: www. chirocolleges. org accrac / Last accessed September 26. 2014. World Federation of Chiropractic Biennial Conferences. / https: www.wfc.orgj Last accessed September 26. 2014. European Chiropractic Union Convention, fhltp: www. chiropractic-ecu.org] Last accessed September 26. 2014. International Research And Philosophy Symposium, fhttp:// www.sherman.edu chiropractic-training/iraps/] Last accessed September 26, 2014. Chiropractic and Osteopathic College of Australasia Conference, fhllp: www.coca.com.au/ Last accessed September 26. 2014. Association for the History ofChiropractic Conference, fhllp: www.hisloryofchiropractic.org I Last accessed September 26, 2014. SOT Research Conferences, fhttp: www.solo-usa.com wp ?page id-16557J Last accessed September 26, 2014. The Alliance ofTMD Organizations, [http: //www.tmdalliance. org J Last accessed September 26, 2014. Interdisciplinary World Congress on Low Back and Pelvic Girdle Pain, fhttp: www.worldcongresslbp.com / Last accessed September 26, 2014.
