FAQ
Rokuso Rendo Soho Q&A
What kind of treatment is Rokuso Rendo Soho?
Rokuso Rendo Soho (the 6-Layer Release) is a manual therapy developed by physical therapist Kuniyoshi Okikura. It views the intricately interwoven connections of fascia, from just beneath the skin down to the periosteum, as six layers by depth, and works to release adhesions that form between those layers. Its key feature is the application of the principle of leverage, designed to directly target deeper adhesions that conventional manual techniques may not reach.
What symptoms can it help with?
It focuses on symptoms that "come back even after massage," such as chronic lower back pain, stiff shoulders, knee pain and headaches. The cause of pain may lie in adhesions in areas away from where symptoms appear. As in one case where severe knee pain eased after work on the shoulder joint, we look for the underlying cause through the connections of the whole body. Individual results vary.
Does the treatment hurt?
We don't knead or press hard on the surface. Because leverage is used to deliver minimal force to the deep layers, you feel gentle, gradual pressure and slow movements, and most people can stay relaxed.
How is it different from other manual therapy or massage?
Stiff shoulders, so you massage the shoulders: that is the usual approach. Rokuso Rendo Soho does not use kneading massage. It directly targets adhesions down to the periosteum, which massage and stretching may not reach, and works where the cause may be rather than where it hurts. People who keep finding that "it feels better at the time, but it comes back" may especially notice the difference.
Does the pain come back?
We believe a major reason pain returns is that only the surface is loosened while the underlying adhesion remains. Rokuso Rendo Soho is designed to release the adhesion thought to be causing the problem, with the aim of helping changes after treatment last. Individual results vary. The method itself began with a question Kuniyoshi Okikura had as a physical therapist: "Why does pain come back even after textbook treatment?"
How often should I have treatment?
Because the approach is designed to release the adhesions that restrict movement, many clients report a change in range of motion from the first session. However, adhesions built up over years tend to be deeper and more widespread, so depending on your symptoms, we may recommend several sessions to work on the deeper layers step by step.
Can I have treatment if I've had surgery?
Yes. After abdominal surgery such as a Caesarean section, adhesions can form in the peritoneum. Even when they show up years later, for example as lower back pain, they are rarely linked to the surgery. These "unnoticed adhesions" are exactly what Rokuso Rendo Soho is designed to address. It is available regardless of age or fitness.
Can I have treatment if I have an artificial joint?
Yes. However, people with artificial joints or hip problems tend to have strong tension from the trunk to the legs and are often sensitive to pain. We therefore stay within a force and range that do not cause pain, and proceed carefully, checking with you as we go.
It hurts even to be touched. Can I still have treatment?
When pain lasts a long time, the brain can become oversensitive to it, leaving the whole body in a state where pain is felt more easily. In that case we start with very gentle force that does not cause pain. Once pain eases, this sensitivity itself tends to settle down. If there is no change after treatment, we will not push on; we will tell you that this treatment is not suitable for you.
Are there cases where I can't have treatment (contraindications)?
Yes. As a rule, we do not treat areas that are inflamed. The same applies during flare-ups of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Pain with fever, pain that continues at night even at rest, pain after an injury, pain in people with a history of cancer, and pain with sudden weight loss may be signs of a serious underlying illness, so in these cases we always ask you to see a doctor before treatment. We consider knowing when not to treat an important part of treatment.
Is there anything I should do before or after treatment?
No special preparation is needed. Please wear comfortable clothes you can move in. Each session follows a "check, treat, check again" sequence, so you can feel any change in range of motion and pain in your own body on the spot. Blood flow can change considerably after treatment, so avoid strenuous exercise and drink plenty of water.
Is there scientific evidence?
The developer, Kuniyoshi Okikura, worked in hospitals as a physical therapist for 16 years, and he continues to test the method against evidence, including human cadaver dissection training overseas with seminar participants. Rather than relying on feel, the Rokuso Rendo Soho way is to always confirm changes with movement tests before and after treatment. For the clinical trial results, see the Evidence section above.
Where can I receive Rokuso Rendo Soho?
There are 70 clinics across Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu, run by certified practitioners who learned the technique at our seminars. Find one near you in the list of clinics above.
