The Kichikae Protocol: Academic Preprint Overview

Kichikae is a novel body–mind movement framework designed to help relieve stored internal tensions (Kups) and alleviate somatic discomfort. This page summarizes our academic preprint hosted on Zenodo.

Research Information

Title: The Kichikae Protocol: A Preliminary Study of a Novel Body-Mind Framework for Relieving Stored Internal Tensions (Kups) and Alleviating Somatic Discomfort

Author: Youngkwon An

Year: 2025

Platform: Zenodo

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18018222

Abstract

Many people report chronic bodily discomforts such as aching, stiffness, trauma-related sensations, or restricted mobility, even when conventional medical tests are normal, and after repeated stretching or rehabilitation exercises. We suggest that these phenomena may stem not merely from structural restriction, but from maladaptive bodily responses to specific spatial coordinates. These phenomena are not fully explained by existing models that focus mainly on muscles, flexibility, or joint range of motion. In this preliminary study, we propose a body-mind framework, the Kichikae Protocol, that introduces three novel concepts: F.Max (full-body sensory activation and controlling movement with extremities), Kup (stored tension arising from both past experiences and novel movements), and Han (a specific point in three-dimensional space associated with Kup). Within this framework, Kup refers to inner tension that appears to remain stored in the body, particularly in the torso, and that may contribute to chronic discomfort and mobility limitations. We situate this proposal in the wider history of body-oriented psychotherapy and somatic therapies, which have long suggested that stress, trauma, and suppressed emotions can be stored as chronic muscular tension and postural defense.

Distinct from conversational somatic therapies that rely on interoceptive dialogue, and diverging from conventional physical rehabilitation that focuses on muscles, ligaments, or joint range of motion, the Kichikae Protocol operates by targeting specific external spatial coordinates of threat memory (Han). Crucially, unlike conventional stretching which directs focus to specific tissues to mechanically elongate them, the protocol explicitly prohibits focusing attention on specific localized areas. Instead, the intervention strictly prioritizes the F.Max state (full-body sensory connectivity and control through the extremities) while targeting these spatial coordinates (Han). The intervention consists of active behavioral techniques—such as directed olfaction, exhalation, or active suppression (e.g., Squeezing, Pressing techniques)—to resolve stored inner tension (Kup). The effectiveness of these techniques is contingent upon the participant maintaining the F.Max state throughout the process.

Building on this theoretical lineage, we report an exploratory analysis of wellness survey data from 50 unique clients (including 10 National Team and 6 Competitive Athletes) of a Kichikae center, comprising 202 valid before/after session pairs across nine Likert-type outcome measures related to physical and emotional wellness. Descriptively, 98.0% of clients (49 of 50) showed a positive average change (score improvement > 0) across measures, with an overall mean improvement of +0.64 points on a 5-point scale. Across the standard foundational curriculum (Sessions 1–7), the protocol consistently demonstrated substantial improvements ranging from 13% to 23%. Notably, the initial session (n=44) showed an immediate and substantial impact (+0.89 points; +22.3%), indicating high effectiveness regardless of prior experience. The largest magnitude of improvement was observed in muscle discomfort/stiffness (+0.79 points; +19.8%), while consistency of improvement was highest for both Sense of Unease and Stress, with 86.0% of clients (43/50) showing net improvement. These findings suggest that a simple, structured protocol targeting internal tension and stored defensive patterns may be associated with improvements in muscle discomfort, stiffness, mobility, and emotional stability in a general client population.

However, given the observational design, self-report measures, and lack of a control group, these results should be interpreted as preliminary. Nevertheless, the consistent positive outcomes suggest that the Kichikae Protocol may offer a viable non-clinical intervention for addressing chronic somatic discomfort and enhancing body-mind integration. If confirmed, this suggests that some chronic movement restrictions may reflect unresolved spatial threat encoding rather than structural restriction.

This study does not evaluate clinical treatment efficacy. Rather, it reports observational patterns derived from a non-clinical wellness context and is intended to be hypothesis-generating.

Key Concepts Introduced

Kup (Stored Internal Tension)

Kup refers to internally stored tension associated with past experiences (injuries, accidents, fear-related) or first-time or long-unpracticed movements. It is commonly experienced as localized contraction or tension in specific regions of the torso and visceral regions, often accompanied by shallow breathing, restricted movement, or a sense of unease. Kups tend to accumulate in layered patterns over time.

Han (Spatial Memory of Threat)

Han refers to a specific, fixed point in three-dimensional space associated with the stored internal tension (Kup). Rather than being a vague “direction,” Han functions as a fixed locus toward which the body exhibits avoidance, instability, sensory dampening, or physical unsteadiness when forced to face or move into that locus. Interaction with this spatial point reliably elicits Kup responses, allowing the location of stored tension to be identified and addressed.

KL (Tension Knots)

KL refers to physical knots or trigger points that arise in association with Kups. KLs are palpable areas of muscle tension that may be felt as lumps, nodules, or tight bands, and may feel stiff or painful to pressure. In the Kichikae framework, KL is not simply ordinary muscular tightness; it is understood as the muscular expression of stored Kup-related tension.

F.Connectivity

F.Connectivity (“F” refers to FOTALH – From Organs to All Limbs and Head) refers to the degree of center-to-distal sensory and motor linkage within the body. It is dynamic and can expand or collapse depending on context, posture, and perceived threat (Han). In the Kichikae framework, restoring and sustaining maximal F.Connectivity is essential for detecting, engaging, and relieving stored internal tension (Kup) linked to spatial threat loci (Han).

F.Max / F.Low

F.Max (F.Connectivity Maximum) describes a whole-body state in which sensory awareness and movement control simultaneously extend continuously from the center of the torso to all distal endpoints, including fingertips, toe tips, and the top of the head. When this connectivity is reduced or movement is controlled proximally (e.g., from the shoulder, knee, or neck) at any part of the body, the state is classified as F.Low. Maintaining F.Max is a mandatory operational condition for the effectiveness and safety of the Kichikae Protocol.

Access the Full Preprint

The full academic preprint detailing the theoretical framework, methodology, and preliminary findings of the Kichikae Protocol is available on Zenodo:

“The Kichikae Protocol: A Preliminary Study of a Novel Body–Mind Framework for Relieving Stored Internal Tensions (Kups) and Alleviating Somatic Discomfort.”

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