Sotai
Encyclopedia
Sotai or is a Japan
ese form of muscular
or movement therapy
which was invented by Keizo Hashimoto, a Japanese Medical Doctor (1897–1993).
He developed a model of treatment that was based on returning natural body alignment by working with the breath and moving toward comfort rather than adjusting toward pain. He developed his system from traditional oriental medicine (Acupuncture
, bone setting (Sekkotsu
), Seitai Jutsu) in concert with his knowledge of modern medicine.
Sotai is said to be a method for neuromuscular reeducation, untwisting muscular holding patterns. According to their practitioners this balances the nervous
and muscular system
s. Its central point is the backward movement or reverse motion treatment. The idea is that the wrong point of the frame could be returned by moving the body in the comfortable direction. Using the effects of an isometric
contraction followed by a sudden relaxation (post-isometric relaxation
) normalises the strained condition.
Like the acupuncture
meridians
in traditional eastern medicine, there are also muscular "meridians" along the body. Landsberger and Hoepke (1936) invented the term of muscular chains ("Muskelketten"). Sotai practitioners claim that it detects the "strains
" within these chains. According to its philosophy these "strains" arise through habituated movements.
Moshe Feldenkrais
said that a free person is able to do one action within one plot. Probably Hashimoto translated this thought into neurophysiological terms: He said that if one puts his centre of gravity adequately over his feet the body will raise naturally. Hashimoto claims that people often shift their weight more to the outside of the foot instead of shifting it towards the bale of the big toe. He said that our body is not centred then, which means that the natural set reactions (Statomotorik) will not occur properly. Additional muscular work is needed to keep the body straight. To speak in Feldenkrais words, body energy is not focused on the act but is spent in keeping the trunk raised.
According to Hashimoto the construction of the human body resembles in the principle that of a house. Four supporting piers correspond to our arms and legs, the ridge corresponds to the spinal column. If the balance one of these pillars is disturbed sensitively, this will become apparent as a malfunction in the backbone.
In the ideal case balance rules in all four factors. But this is rather rarely the case. So a person who moves normally can affect his health by bad nutrition negatively. On the other hand is a balanced point, for example respiration in state to equalize a neglected area, for example the nutrition.
As long as within this system balance rules, one says, the person is healthy. Only if at least one of these pillars collapses, disease appears.
One's environment also affects the body balance, for example, by stress factors like noise or frantic.
To repeat his vision, in Sotai it is said that the whole organism is always involved in performance. Following this idea one could regard the birth of a local hardening as the result of a process which works in the whole organism (see Philosophy). According to this vision one could regard a prolapsed disc
as an appearance at those places within the chain which are not permeable, where the forces are held, leading to a collapse.
This is meant as a sort "listening to yourself" during the treatment. Hashimoto claims that therapists, doctors and medications cannot heal. He states that this can only be done by nature. So it is an essential part of Sotai therapy to hunt up independently false positions of the several joints and to understand them as a cause of the problem.
While Dr. Hashimotos work has concentrated in essence upon the partner's work, it was Dr. Sato who has strongly developed the Self-Sotai. From his point of view it belongs to an extensive therapy to train an affected person in self-exercises.
Practitioners claim that if the affected person has understood the Sotai idea once, he can extend it to all areas. They say that this understanding also includes the idea that there is an optimal degree of the pleasant. Too much of it is again harmfully: e.g., a piece of cakes may be probably tasty, however, a whole cake causes certainly stomachaches.
. They are named 'meridian tendons'.
For didactic reasons the 'tendon' of the gallbladder
meridian is chosen: This meridian tendon runs down the outside of the body and connects the temples
with the outer area of the foot. In between there are several interfaces:
Practitioners frequently have to work on problems within this tendon. They claim that many loins complaints stand in connection with a disturbance of this chain.
According to Dr. Masunaga (founder of Zen Shiatsu
), who has assigned psychological functions to the Functional Circles, the meridian of the gallbladder stands on behalf for the function of short-time decisions: do I go to the right or to the left?
In the bioenergetic
concept of Alexander Lowen
it is said that emotional habits are incorporated in postural patterns. Probably Dr. Hashimotos approach transfers this theory to the level of the movement chains: all kind of (movement) habits will be reflected within the meridian tendons. E.g., everybody knows the situation in which one couldn't make a proper decision, to do something somehow and, nevertheless, also again not. According to Masunaga the appropriate movement would be a kind of twist, an unclear movement which leads to one side, but also to the other side. According to Masunaga's idea such samples will establish as strained
conditions in the gall-blader's meridian tendon.
According to Kawakami one could state a change of the muscle proteins at microscopic level, called "strain
". Via neuronal feedback mechanisms the vegetative nervous system
is affected, which has an influence on the metabolism
of the internal organs. It is possible that through this way disturbances in the organ system could be caused.
To speak to Manakas words, a correction in the software - in this case the muscle apparatus - could cause changes in the somatic condition of the related segment
.
is the centre of all movements. Goal of therapy is to synchronize movements of hands and feet with those of the pelvic girdle.
Palpating the popliteal fossa
one can feal hardenings of the local tendons by moving one's fingers. The technique will be executed on the more reactive side.
Here the affected person should raise his forefoot and shift his weight gently towards the heel. If both sides are reactive the technique will be done on both sides. The practitioner puts on his hand lightly to strengthen the tension within the movement chain positively.
After three to five seconds the affected person should relax suddenly, afterwards the exercise will be repeated three to four times.
Applying this technique facilitates the connection of the center of the foot with the lower abdomen.
and in the gall-bladder's meridian tendon as well.
If for example, the trunk rotation is unpleasant to the left, the affected person turns to the right, to the painless side.
Starting from the place at which the movement is still pleasant the practitioner initiates the movement. Close to the end of the movement the practitioner will build up a light resistance which ends in an isometric contraction.
The final point of the exercise is where the segment can be adjusted on an optimal degree. Mostly it lies exactly opposite facing the starting point.
After three to five seconds the affected person should relax suddenly, afterwards the exercise will be repeated three to four times.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese form of muscular
Muscle
Muscle is a contractile tissue of animals and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
or movement therapy
Therapy
This is a list of types of therapy .* Adventure therapy* Animal-assisted therapy* Aquatic therapy* Aromatherapy* Art and dementia* Art therapy* Authentic Movement* Behavioral therapy* Bibliotherapy* Buteyko Method* Chemotherapy...
which was invented by Keizo Hashimoto, a Japanese Medical Doctor (1897–1993).
He developed a model of treatment that was based on returning natural body alignment by working with the breath and moving toward comfort rather than adjusting toward pain. He developed his system from traditional oriental medicine (Acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of solid, generally thin needles in the body....
, bone setting (Sekkotsu
Sekkotsu
is the Japanese skill of bone-setting. It is used in many martial arts and as a medical practice today....
), Seitai Jutsu) in concert with his knowledge of modern medicine.
Sotai is said to be a method for neuromuscular reeducation, untwisting muscular holding patterns. According to their practitioners this balances the nervous
Nervous system
The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous...
and muscular system
Muscular system
The muscular system is the anatomical system of a species that allows it to move. The muscular system in vertebrates is controlled through the nervous system, although some muscles can be completely autonomous.- Muscles :...
s. Its central point is the backward movement or reverse motion treatment. The idea is that the wrong point of the frame could be returned by moving the body in the comfortable direction. Using the effects of an isometric
Isometric exercise
Isometric exercise or isometrics are a type of strength training in which the joint angle and muscle length do not change during contraction...
contraction followed by a sudden relaxation (post-isometric relaxation
Muscle Energy Technique
Muscle Energy Technique is a type of osteopathic manipulative treatment used in osteopathic medicine and physical therapy . It is a form of osteopathic manipulative diagnosis and treatment in which the patient’s muscles are actively used on request, from a precisely controlled position, in a...
) normalises the strained condition.
Philosophy
Sotai practitioners claim that stiff structures should be regarded as a sort of stop light: if a movement hurts you should stop it. They claim that Sotai(ho) helps to determine where the movement is going wrong.Like the acupuncture
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a type of alternative medicine that treats patients by insertion and manipulation of solid, generally thin needles in the body....
meridians
Meridian (Chinese medicine)
The meridian is a path through which the life-energy known as "qi" is believed to flow, in traditional Chinese medicine. There is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians.- Main concepts :...
in traditional eastern medicine, there are also muscular "meridians" along the body. Landsberger and Hoepke (1936) invented the term of muscular chains ("Muskelketten"). Sotai practitioners claim that it detects the "strains
Deformation (mechanics)
Deformation in continuum mechanics is the transformation of a body from a reference configuration to a current configuration. A configuration is a set containing the positions of all particles of the body...
" within these chains. According to its philosophy these "strains" arise through habituated movements.
Moshe Feldenkrais
Moshé Feldenkrais
Moshé Pinchas Feldenkrais was an Israeli physicist and the founder of the Feldenkrais Method, designed to improve human functioning by increasing self-awareness through movement.-Biography:...
said that a free person is able to do one action within one plot. Probably Hashimoto translated this thought into neurophysiological terms: He said that if one puts his centre of gravity adequately over his feet the body will raise naturally. Hashimoto claims that people often shift their weight more to the outside of the foot instead of shifting it towards the bale of the big toe. He said that our body is not centred then, which means that the natural set reactions (Statomotorik) will not occur properly. Additional muscular work is needed to keep the body straight. To speak in Feldenkrais words, body energy is not focused on the act but is spent in keeping the trunk raised.
The construction of the body
Hashimoto claimed that the organism always moves as a unity and formulated from it "the law of the reciprocal effect" ("Doji-sokan-sohosei").According to Hashimoto the construction of the human body resembles in the principle that of a house. Four supporting piers correspond to our arms and legs, the ridge corresponds to the spinal column. If the balance one of these pillars is disturbed sensitively, this will become apparent as a malfunction in the backbone.
The law of the reciprocal effect (Doji-sokan-sohosei)
Four factors
Hashimoto's opinion was that there are in fact four factors which contribute to our inside balance. The following passage is a citation of Hashimotos thoughts:- Respiration: A slow, quiet and deep respirationRespiration (physiology)'In physiology, respiration is defined as the transport of oxygen from the outside air to the cells within tissues, and the transport of carbon dioxide in the opposite direction...
is important for optimization of body processes. (Moving the diaphragmDiaphragm-Optics and photography:* Diaphragm , a stop in the light path of a lens, having an aperture that regulates the amount of light that passes* Diaphragm shutter, a type of leaf shutter consisting of a number of thin blades in a camera-Acoustics:...
in consonance with respiration the circulation will improve, particularly the fast buffer system's effects will improve as well, which contributes cell metabolism by exchanging carbon dioxide with oxygen.) - Nutrition: Regular, balanced nutritionNutritionNutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
is a presupposition for the development of healthy organs. - Movement: One should always do those movements that are good for one's body, which fit to one's biomechanical recources.
- Thinking: GratitudeGratitudeGratitude, thankfulness, gratefulness, or appreciation is a feeling, emotion or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive. The experience of gratitude has historically been a focus of several world religions, and has been considered extensively by moral...
is the key to moderate thinking and positive life attitude.
In the ideal case balance rules in all four factors. But this is rather rarely the case. So a person who moves normally can affect his health by bad nutrition negatively. On the other hand is a balanced point, for example respiration in state to equalize a neglected area, for example the nutrition.
As long as within this system balance rules, one says, the person is healthy. Only if at least one of these pillars collapses, disease appears.
One's environment also affects the body balance, for example, by stress factors like noise or frantic.
The movement chain
According to Hashimoto the law of the reciprocal effect has not only validity within the model of the four health factors: it refers in every kind of movement. A movement never (!) takes place in one segment only. It is not detached from the remaining body! It spreads out as a kind of a chain starting from one link going to the adjoining and finally over the whole body.To repeat his vision, in Sotai it is said that the whole organism is always involved in performance. Following this idea one could regard the birth of a local hardening as the result of a process which works in the whole organism (see Philosophy). According to this vision one could regard a prolapsed disc
Spinal disc herniation
A spinal disc herniation , informally and misleadingly called a "slipped disc", is a medical condition affecting the spine due to trauma, lifting injuries, or idiopathic, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion A spinal disc herniation...
as an appearance at those places within the chain which are not permeable, where the forces are held, leading to a collapse.
Doshin (self-detection)
According to Hayashi sensei Sotaiho is no curation treatment in the usual sense. Sotaiho requires the co-operation of the affected person.This is meant as a sort "listening to yourself" during the treatment. Hashimoto claims that therapists, doctors and medications cannot heal. He states that this can only be done by nature. So it is an essential part of Sotai therapy to hunt up independently false positions of the several joints and to understand them as a cause of the problem.
While Dr. Hashimotos work has concentrated in essence upon the partner's work, it was Dr. Sato who has strongly developed the Self-Sotai. From his point of view it belongs to an extensive therapy to train an affected person in self-exercises.
Practitioners claim that if the affected person has understood the Sotai idea once, he can extend it to all areas. They say that this understanding also includes the idea that there is an optimal degree of the pleasant. Too much of it is again harmfully: e.g., a piece of cakes may be probably tasty, however, a whole cake causes certainly stomachaches.
Meridian tendons
In the traditional eastern medicine (TEAM) one knows about muscular leading roads which are very similar to the course of the associated meridiansMeridian (Chinese medicine)
The meridian is a path through which the life-energy known as "qi" is believed to flow, in traditional Chinese medicine. There is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians.- Main concepts :...
. They are named 'meridian tendons'.
For didactic reasons the 'tendon' of the gallbladder
Gallbladder
In vertebrates the gallbladder is a small organ that aids mainly in fat digestion and concentrates bile produced by the liver. In humans the loss of the gallbladder is usually easily tolerated....
meridian is chosen: This meridian tendon runs down the outside of the body and connects the temples
Temple (anatomy)
Temple indicates the side of the head behind the eyes. The bone beneath is the temporal bone as well as part of the sphenoid bone.-Anatomy:Cladists classify land vertebrates based on the presence of an upper hole, a lower hole, both, or neither in the cover of dermal bone which formerly covered the...
with the outer area of the foot. In between there are several interfaces:
- on height of the fibula's head
- at the level of the sacrumSacrumIn vertebrate anatomy the sacrum is a large, triangular bone at the base of the spine and at the upper and back part of the pelvic cavity, where it is inserted like a wedge between the two hip bones. Its upper part connects with the last lumbar vertebra, and bottom part with the coccyx...
- on height of the waist-line
- in the shoulder
- in the area of the temple
Practitioners frequently have to work on problems within this tendon. They claim that many loins complaints stand in connection with a disturbance of this chain.
According to Dr. Masunaga (founder of Zen Shiatsu
Zen Shiatsu
Zen Shiatsu is a derivative form of the Japanese therapy Shiatsu, and is particularly popular in the United Kingdom and United States. It was developed by Shizuto Masunaga, a graduate of the who published a book entitled Shiatsu in 1974. This was translated into English in 1977 and retitled Zen...
), who has assigned psychological functions to the Functional Circles, the meridian of the gallbladder stands on behalf for the function of short-time decisions: do I go to the right or to the left?
In the bioenergetic
Bioenergetic analysis
Bioenergetic Analysis is a form of body psychotherapy , based upon the work of Wilhelm Reich, but adding a number of innovations...
concept of Alexander Lowen
Alexander Lowen
Dr. Alexander Lowen was an American psychotherapist. A student of Wilhelm Reich in the 1940s and early 1950s in New York, he developed Bioenergetic Analysis, a form of mind-body psychotherapy, with his then-colleague, John Pierrakos...
it is said that emotional habits are incorporated in postural patterns. Probably Dr. Hashimotos approach transfers this theory to the level of the movement chains: all kind of (movement) habits will be reflected within the meridian tendons. E.g., everybody knows the situation in which one couldn't make a proper decision, to do something somehow and, nevertheless, also again not. According to Masunaga the appropriate movement would be a kind of twist, an unclear movement which leads to one side, but also to the other side. According to Masunaga's idea such samples will establish as strained
Strain (chemistry)
In chemistry, a molecule experiences strain when its chemical structure undergoes some stress which raises its internal energy in comparison to a strain-free reference compound. The internal energy of a molecule consists of all the energy stored within it. A strained molecule has an additional...
conditions in the gall-blader's meridian tendon.
According to Kawakami one could state a change of the muscle proteins at microscopic level, called "strain
Strain (chemistry)
In chemistry, a molecule experiences strain when its chemical structure undergoes some stress which raises its internal energy in comparison to a strain-free reference compound. The internal energy of a molecule consists of all the energy stored within it. A strained molecule has an additional...
". Via neuronal feedback mechanisms the vegetative nervous system
Autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system functioning largely below the level of consciousness, and controls visceral functions. The ANS affects heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, diameter of the pupils,...
is affected, which has an influence on the metabolism
Metabolism
Metabolism is the set of chemical reactions that happen in the cells of living organisms to sustain life. These processes allow organisms to grow and reproduce, maintain their structures, and respond to their environments. Metabolism is usually divided into two categories...
of the internal organs. It is possible that through this way disturbances in the organ system could be caused.
To speak to Manakas words, a correction in the software - in this case the muscle apparatus - could cause changes in the somatic condition of the related segment
Segmentation (biology)
Segmentation in biology refers to either a type of gastrointestinal motility or the division of some animal and plant body plans into a series of repetitive segments. This article will focus on the segmentation of animal body plans, specifically using the examples of the phyla Arthropoda,...
.
Therapy
According to Hashimoto the pelvisPelvis
In human anatomy, the pelvis is the lower part of the trunk, between the abdomen and the lower limbs .The pelvis includes several structures:...
is the centre of all movements. Goal of therapy is to synchronize movements of hands and feet with those of the pelvic girdle.
Facilitate the lower abdomen
According to Hayashi with this technique an exercise is presented with which all basic treatments are started practically.Palpating the popliteal fossa
Popliteal fossa
The popliteal fossa is a shallow depression located at the back of the knee joint. The bones of the popliteal fossa are the femur and the tibia.-Boundaries:The boundaries of the fossa are:-Roof:...
one can feal hardenings of the local tendons by moving one's fingers. The technique will be executed on the more reactive side.
Here the affected person should raise his forefoot and shift his weight gently towards the heel. If both sides are reactive the technique will be done on both sides. The practitioner puts on his hand lightly to strengthen the tension within the movement chain positively.
After three to five seconds the affected person should relax suddenly, afterwards the exercise will be repeated three to four times.
Applying this technique facilitates the connection of the center of the foot with the lower abdomen.
Right or left?
The following technique probably adjusts the tension in the diafragmThoracic diaphragm
In the anatomy of mammals, the thoracic diaphragm, or simply the diaphragm , is a sheet of internal skeletal muscle that extends across the bottom of the rib cage. The diaphragm separates the thoracic cavity from the abdominal cavity and performs an important function in respiration...
and in the gall-bladder's meridian tendon as well.
If for example, the trunk rotation is unpleasant to the left, the affected person turns to the right, to the painless side.
Starting from the place at which the movement is still pleasant the practitioner initiates the movement. Close to the end of the movement the practitioner will build up a light resistance which ends in an isometric contraction.
The final point of the exercise is where the segment can be adjusted on an optimal degree. Mostly it lies exactly opposite facing the starting point.
After three to five seconds the affected person should relax suddenly, afterwards the exercise will be repeated three to four times.