As Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT) and Sacro Occipital Technique Organization (SOTO) -USA enters the 21st Century developing a firm foundation in the world of research and the chiropractic community has become essential in order to build a strong future for SOT and healthcare in general. Each year a prestigious “Research Agenda Conference” (RAC) is organized where all the “tops” in research and the colleges come together to discuss the direction and future of chiropractic and chiropractic research. For the past two years Dr. Robert Klingensmith, SOTO-USA's executive director, and myself have had the opportunity to attend, I personally don’t ever anticipate missing one in the future. At this year’s conference there were many interesting issues discussed, but I will give an overview of three points of interest.

A keynote speaker at the conference, John A Austin, PhD from the Complementary Medicine Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, discussed, “Chiropractic: Manipulation, Mind body, or Energy Therapy: Implications for Research.” Dr. Austin’s presentation focused on encouraging chiropractic research to include and embrace the vitalistic and subtle energies. Among the various topics he discussed he suggested two possible research questions that might emerge from including the energetic component of chiropractic: (1) “Do we observe particular changes following spinal manipulation in any measures currently being employed to detect so called ‘subtle energies’, such as random event generators (REGs), cardiac coherence indices (heart rate variability – analyses of magnetic and electrical spectrum of the heart) and are such changes correlated with clinical outcomes?” (2) Can we “study individuals who claim to ‘see’ subtle energies and test whether they observe (under blinded conditions) changes in energy patterns following spinal manipulation?”

Another interesting discussion involved a panel of experts ranging from chiropractic college presidents to researchers in the field. The focus was concerned with encouraging future chiropractic research and how to overcome the impeding issues. It quickly became clear to me that the doctors in practice were too busy, not trained to publish, and did not see the value of research publication. The students who were also expected to publish were more concerned with passing their classes and financial burdens. James Dillard, MD, DC, Lac suggested that the schools needed to refocus their priorities and direction regarding research. This would start from the first semester and demand that the instructors, chiropractic college administrators, and students all are brought “up to a level” which understands the value of research. He also pointed out that there are quite a few NIH government grants for research that the colleges can apply for, which could be a huge financial benefit for the chiropractic colleges or universities.

Lastly a presentation by Daniel Redwood, DC and Anthony Rosner, PhD concerned the importance of context and reviewed a paper they had written:

Morely J, Rosner AL, Redwood D, A Case Study of Misrepresentation of the Scientific Literature: Recent Reviews of Chiropractic, Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine, 2001; 7(1): 65-78.

This paper is based on the following publications: (1) “Chiropractors’ Use of X-Rays” a commentary published in the British Journal of Radiology (Ernst, 1998). (2) “Chiropractic for Low Back Pain: We Don’t Know Whether It Does More Good Than Harm,” an editorial in the British Medical Journal (Ernst and Assendelft, 1998). (3) “Adverse Effects of Spinal Manipulation,” a chapter in the textbook Essentials of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (Ernst, 1999). What was fascinating is that the healthcare professional expect the peer review publications to make sure that what is published in their journal is accurate and not purposefully misleading or clearly lacking integrity in scientific reporting. Ernst, a well respected researcher, publications on chiropractic were found to include “repeated misuse of references, misleading statements, highly selective use of certain published work, and errors in citation. They left no doubt that Ernst misrepresentations were clearly intentional. While to some this might seem like nothing new, this article in a multidisciplinary journal, hopefully will encourage greater integrity in the peer review process and discourage researchers who write with the purpose to denigrate, without supportive facts.

SOTO-USA will have its first “Craniodental” TMJ conference this March 8-10th which will feature dentists and chiropractors gaining information on how to work together and help their patients. There will also be another tract teaching Chiropractic Manipulative Reflex Technique. The following week, March 14 – 16th, 2002 the 7th RAC conference will combine with the Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC) Educational Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. SOTO-USA has a paper related to SOT that has been accepted for a poster presentation at the conference. I hope to see you there.

Charles L. Blum, DC, CSP
President SOTO-USA