Target Audience

All interested healthcare providers are invited to attend. Unfortunately, massage therapists are not permitted to attend.

What is the Fascial Distortion Model?

The Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) is an anatomically based perspective for envisioning and treating orthopedic injuries and certain medical conditions that until now have been either resistant to treatment or healed slowly or incompletely with current methods. American physician Stephen Typaldos, D.O., is the originator and developer of the FDM. 

From its conception in 1991, Dr. Typaldos wrote, taught, and promoted the fascial distortion model approach to physicians and international osteopaths across the United States, Europe, and Japan. Since his untimely death in 2006, his methods have been promoted and taught by trained physicians and certified instructors through the American Fascial Distortion Model Association, The European FDM Association, and The FDM Asian Association.   

The clinical significance of FDM is that through its manual application, it can bring rapid and complete recovery to many previously inadequately treated musculoskeletal injuries such as pulled muscles, ankle sprains, frozen shoulders, knee strains, and a whole host of other athletic injuries. The FDM, however, is far more than just a collection of new manipulative techniques. Instead, it is a comprehensive and entirely fresh perspective of envisioning and understanding injuries that competitively challenges current approaches and is poised to revolutionize medicine. 

Purpose

Module 1 provides an extensive introduction to the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM), including the theory and concepts basic to diagnosing and treating FDM. The theory of FDM is defined and explained along with the likely outcomes with and without treatment. Extensive hands-on time is an integral part of this course. Diagnosis and treatment of shoulder, knee, and ankle injuries are highlighted in this course, with plenty of supervised practicum time so that practitioners can return to their offices with skills they can immediately utilize.

In its most narrow application, the fascial distortion model is a competitive and effective method of envisioning and treating a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries (as well as some medical conditions). However, the broader implications of FDM are that it offers anatomical insight (and thus predictability) into other current treatment methods and will, in the future, stimulate the development of even more effective medications, surgical procedures, and manipulative therapies.

REQUESTED ATTIRE

• Comfortable athletic attire.
• No large or sharp jewelry. 

Table Trainers

Elizabeth (Libby) Abbas, DO
Family Practice Physician, Decorah, IA

Biography

Jose Figueroa, DO, Diplomat AOBPM&R, FAAPM&R
Assistant Professor and Clinician, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program, Des Moines University

Biography.

Erica Yamamoto, DO
Family Medicine, SSM Health

Biography.

Instructor

Byron Perkins, DO

Dr. Perkins graduated from the University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, MO, in 1984. He interned at Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital in Tulsa and completed a residency in Osteopathic Family Practice at Doctor’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Board-certified in Osteopathic Family Medicine, his current practice focuses on primary care, mental health, wellness, musculoskeletal injuries, and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. He maintains hospital privileges at Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital.

He began his medical practice at the Norton Sound Health Corporation in Nome. He practiced at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage before co-founding Cornerstone Clinic Medical and Counseling Center. Dr. Stephen Typaldos, DO, introduced him to the Fascial Distortion Model in 2004 and has been practicing in the model ever since. He was instrumental in founding the American Fascial Distortion Association in 2007 and served as its President from 2009-2011. He became a Certified FDM Instructor in 2008 and has lectured nationally (Alaska, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Hawaii, California, Oklahoma, Florida) and internationally (Africa, Japan, Mongolia, Austria). In 2010, the Center for Osteopathic Research and Education (CORE) was dedicated to Cornerstone Clinic. For the past 16 years, 90% of Dr. Perkin's clinical work has involved Osteopathic Manipulation utilizing the FDM.

His current affiliations include the Alaska Osteopathic Medical Association, the Alaska State Medical Association, the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, the American Fascial Distortion Model Association, and the American Osteopathic Association. He serves on the Board of Directors of the American Fascial Distortion Model Association in Bangor, ME, Alaska Medical Missions in Anchorage, AK, and Northwest University in Kirkland, WA. He has held Associate Clinical Faculty appointments at the University of Washington, School of Medicine (WWAMI), Pacific Northwest University and maintains teaching appointments with several other Osteopathic Colleges of Medicine, precepting medical students and Family Practice residents in Osteopathic Principles and Practice at Cornerstone Clinic.

Dr. Perkins grew up in Japan, where his parents were missionaries. He moved to Alaska in 1974 after graduating from High School in Tokyo. His lifelong desire has been to facilitate and participate in Medical Missions. He is an osteopathic physician who enjoys his work immensely. He is thankful for the opportunity to practice medicine and the gift he has received in the osteopathic profession. He values the opportunity to train others in the Fascial Distortion Model. He is gifted in teaching and is sought out by students and physicians for hands-on training in osteopathic medicine. He is passionate about treating the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. His legacy is in “Training the Next Generation.” He says, “helping others is one of life’s greatest blessings and most meaningful rewards.