The bonesetter's treatment for shoulder dislocation still remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the bonesetter's treatments for shoulder dislocations. A questionnaire included the following items: (1) reduction method for a shoulder dislocation (2) immobilization method (3)immobilization time was sent to 140 bonesetter's institutions in Akita. The response rate of the questionnaire was 32.1% (45/140). The most frequently used reduction method was the Hippocratic Method 51%, followed by Kocher's Method 44%, the zero position traction Method 38% and other methods 9% such as the adduction abduction method, the horizontal rotation method, DePalma's Method. The Hippocratic Method was the first option for a Judo related shoulder dislocation. The immobilization method was bandage with sling in 60%, with Desault's method in 22%, only sling in 11%and splint with sling in 7%. All immobilization was in the internal rotational position. The average immobilization period was 2.8 weeks (one to six weeks). The immobilization period was foe more than five weeks in 2%, one week in 2 %, four weeks in 11%, two weeks in 33% and three weeks in 51%. The Hippocratic Method was the most popular reduction method among bonesetters. All shoulders were immobilized in internal rotation after a reduction. The average immobilization period was 2.8weeks.
