Target Audience

This workshop is open to all licensed healthcare practitioners. Medical students may attend with written permission from their faculty advisor. Message therapists are not permitted. 

What is the Fascial Distortion Model

The Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) is an anatomical perspective originated by US physician Stephen Typaldos, D.O., in which “the underlying etiology of virtually every musculoskeletal injury (and many neurological and medical conditions) is considered to be comprised of one or more of six specific pathological alterations of the body’s connective tissues (fascial bands, ligaments, tendons, retinacula, etc.). As a model, the FDM is an abbreviated interpretation of the pathology of fascial injuries and contemplates the structural consequences of orthopedic, medical, surgical, and manipulative interventions.”

There are six principal types of fascial distortions, each with its body language, signature presentation, and likely outcome with and without Fascial Distortion Model treatments. Some common injuries that are quickly resolved with FDM manual treatments include pulled muscles and muscle tears, sprained ankles, shin splints, Osgood-Schlatter Disease, whiplash, headaches, shoulder pain, frozen joints, kidney stones, plantar fasciitis, sprains, strains, and tendonitis, and low back pain. Chronic pain can also be successfully treated using the FDM, but results typically take longer than acute injuries. This model can also successfully treat Sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, and many other injuries. In the FDM approach, treatment is directed into the specific anatomical distortions of the capsule, ligaments, and surrounding fascia, physically reversing them. When the fascial distortions are corrected, the anatomical injury no longer exists; the patient can resume normal function and is pain-free. 

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. However, the broader implications of FDM are that it offers anatomical insight (and thus predictability) into other current treatment methods and, hopefully, in the future, will stimulate the development of even more effective medications, surgical procedures, and manipulative therapies.

Description

The FDM workshop covers extensive diagnosis and treatment of the neck, back, and hips. Practicum time is integral to this course, providing practitioners with effective diagnosis and treatment tools for treating low back pain, sciatica, and other back, neck, and hip injuries. Each distortion and the likely outcomes with and without treatment are defined and explained. Extensive hands-on time is an integral part of this course. This course highlights the diagnosis and treatment of spine, sacrum, and pelvis injuries, with plenty of supervised practicum time so that physicians can return to their offices with skills they can immediately utilize.

Learning Objectives

• From an anatomic perspective, explain the basic understanding of the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM).
• Describe the six principal types of facial distortions.
• Utilize FDM in your clinical practice.