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The Scotson Technique Library

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Essentials of Bio-Mechanical Development, Breakdown & Reconstruction

The Hypothesis


The brain begins life only as a receptive organ.

Outgoing nerve signals are dependent (amongst other things) on the electrical activity of the muscle tissues created by the movement of blood in the microcirculation.

Therefore muscular skeletal development and maintenance also in part depends upon the frequent contractions of tiny sphincter muscles that release blood flow deeper into the smallest blood vessels serving the body tissues.

These contractions strengthen with the increased pressures of breathing during development so that as blood supply increases to the muscle tissues their electrical levels rise.

As a possible result of external pressures from its mother’s body before birth, after birth the infant has a protective covering of compressed superficial muscles. This protective outer muscular layer may act as a kind of swaddling to prevent limb dislocation as the baby moves through the birth canal. On the other hand the infant’s core muscles and connective tissues are weak and immature.

The act of breathing creates regular intermittent internal trunkal pressures. These pressures strengthen the weak core muscles and the connective tissues between the bones opening out the skeletal frame.

The expansion of the skeletal frame gradually releases and relaxes compressed muscles further increasing the range of the infant movement.

The increase in blood flow to the core muscles increases their electrical levels and allows increased nervous connection to be formed between the brain and the body tissues including the muscles and the joints so that functional capacities also increase.


After brain injury, respiratory muscles work hard to improve oxygen supply to the brain. Eventually the respiratory muscles fatigue and their strength weakens.

Respiratory muscle blood flow is reduced and tissue electrical status falls.

Weakened respiratory muscles produce a drop in the internal pressures caused by breathing.

Lowered internal pressures reduce the volume of the trunk.

Reduced trunkal volume causes superficial muscle shortening.

Muscle shortening causes muscle tightening.

Muscle tightening causes the shoulder girdle to fold inwards, the pelvic girdle to fold inward and the spinal vertebrae to become compacted.

The inward folding of the shoulder and pelvic girdles causes poor insertion and rotation of the shoulders and hips.

Compaction of the spine potentially constricts blood flow to the respiratory nerves and the nerves serving the internal organs.

The poor electrical status of the abnormal muscular skeletal system leaves the brain poorly informed and powerless to improve the situation.


The aims of the Technique are to:

To restore the integrity of the respiratory system by improving micro-circulation blood flow in the respiratory muscles.

To improve intra thoracic and intra abdominal respiratory pressures.

To improve trunkal volume and shape.

To relax tight or compressed muscles.

To strengthen weak muscles and interconnective tissues.

To improve shoulder girdle, rib cage, pelvic and spinal structure.

To improve limb rotation and co-ordination leading to improved movement.

To improve the general and cerebral metabolism.

To improve sleep.

To improve levels of physical, physiological, sensory and intellectual function.

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