While clearing out my cabinets and files for the new year I came upon this article I had saved from September 1984. At the time I was actually quite hopeful to see this back and forth challenge and discussion because I had hopes for many of my questions being answered during the process.

Dr. Koffman representing SOT closed his comment to Dr. Faye with "... I would respectfully suggest you present your position with arguments based on scientific, if not at the very least, thorough personal investigation of that which you denigrate."

Dr. Faye responded with a cogent reply that stands up to our current position today and closed with, "I believe it is up to S.O.R.S.I. (the Sacro Occipital Technique Research Society International) to conduct some simple, inexpensive, orthodox research that can be published in a respected journal, such as the J.M.P.T. Our doctors and students deserve this minimum and I will continue to probe for the same."

Where are we now at the closing of 2006 as we embark on a new year? With regard to block placement we have a few papers which give our premises some degree of credibility.

Klingensmith RD, Blum CL. The relationship between pelvic block placement and radiographic pelvic analysis. Journ Chiro Med Summer 2003; 2(3):102-6.

Hochman JI. The effect of sacro occipital technique category II blocking on spinal ranges of motion: a case series. Journ Manipul & Physiol Ther, Nov 2005;28(9):719-23.

Unger JF, Jr. The effects of a pelvic blocking procedure upon muscle strength: a pilot study. Chiro Technique, Nov 1998;10(4):50-5.

Lisi AJ, Cooperstein R, Morschhauser E. An exploratory study of provocation testing with padded wedges: can prone blocking demonstrate a directional preference? Journ Manipul & Physiol Ther. Feb 2004; 27(2):103-8.

Where are we with regard to occipital fibers and trapezius fibers? Regretfully the response to that question is quite dismal. With regard to trapezius fibers we have a diligent practitioner from Australia who is in the process of developing a study to investigate the reliability and/or validity of trapezius fiber diagnosis. However so far nothing yet. With regard to occipital fibers we have one paper from 1986 that was presented at a 1986 conference and was not all that supportive.

Mootz R, Jameson S, Menke M, Inter and Intra-Rater Reliability of Occipital Fiber Palpation Proceedings of the Fifth Annual Conservative Health Science Research Conference Oct 1986: 37-9.

What are some options for the upcoming year? (1) Support SOTO-USA research so we can move forward to do the needed studies to support what we are finding clinically, (2) refrain from accepting large words or concepts which permutate into hyperbole as substantive research, and (3) while we learn from challenges, we only learn if we actually use that knowledge to move forward.

Please consider a year end tax deductible - charitable donation to SOTO-USA (501 C3 non-profit) to support SOT and cranial research and help us protect your professional future. Click here for information and donation form.

Happy New Year!