The Scotson Technique (TST)

The Scotson Technique - WHY

Breathing Quality Matters because:

• Many symptoms commonly associated with abnormal neurological conditions are actually the result of abnormal breathing.
• Besides providing the oxygen which is essential to the life of the body, breathing affects: heart rate, circulation, posture, body structures, blood pressure, limb movement, speech, the development and function of the digestive organs, blood flow to and from the brain, sleep, cognitive ability, learning and brain growth, emotional state, health, immunity and healing.  All areas of the brain can affect and are affected by the way we breathe.
• Breathing quality is affected by both neurological abnormality and brain injury and the effect of abnormal movement or lack of movement on respiratory development.

the Scotson Technique - WHAT

TST is a simple unique 'massage' developed from complex clinical research:

• Children with neurological problems such as CP have difficulty moving and do not move normally. Children with conditions such as ASD and ADHD  move exaustively and often do not know when to rest. Rather than trying to exercise the children to improve their breathing TST 'massage' therapy works directly on improving blood supply to the respiratory organs.
• This is achieved by means of gentle breath like pressures which can be made while the child is for example laying down, sitting up, watching TV , sleeping and in the case of small children while in a parents arms. 
• TST may be called a physiothrapy which mimics the changes in internal pressures created by healthy breathing.  These pressures compress and decompress blood vessels, increasing blood flow through organ tissue srengthening the core of the body and gently bringing increased oxygen to the nerves which send signals from the joints and internal organs to the brain.
  

The Scotson Technique - HOW

This involves parents or carers acquiring unique and empowering skills:

• TST exercises programme is designed to enhance your child’s development, reduce stress and increase the happiness and quality of life for the entire family.
• The objective is to improve the development and function of a child’s breathing, circulatory and postural systems by the application of uniquely designed light gentle pressures over the ribcage and joints.
• There is an initial 1½ hour evaluation of each child.Directly after this evaluation (or on another arranged date) parents are taught the first TST therapy programme which they will work on at home with their child.

the Scotson Technique - WHAT IF

TST is a simple unique 'massage' developed from complex clinical research:

Each of our lives, locations and schedules is unique so how can I make TST  ‘massage’ work for us ?

Q- I cannot find 60 minutes a day for TST therapy?

• Unlike conventional forms of physiotherapy TST massages can be spread over the day and can be done with the child either awake or asleep. Some of our families do the exercises in two or three mini sessions a day.
• Because we can train both parents, grandparents and carers how to do TST ‘massage’, it is possible for the exercises to be shared amongst a number of people.
• It is possible to do fewer exercises per day, we recommend a minimum of 3, which is 15 minutes per day. To get the maximum benefits from TST we recommend that TST is done regularly six days a week.

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