What is FDM? I’m glad you asked…
FDM stands for the Fascial Distortion Model, developed by Dr. Stephen Typaldos, DO.
It’s called a ‘model’ because it isn’t a technique.
It’s actually a treatment model in which virtually all soft tissue injuries, or musculoskeletal complaints, are viewed through 1 or more of the 6 different types of alterations to the body’s connective tissues.
FDM has no protocols to memorise. Yet, FDM contains a detailed physical assessment, which leads to a specific diagnosis, and provides objective outcomes.
The patient’s verbal and physical descriptions, coupled with the mechanism of injury and relevant orthopaedic tests, will lead the practitioner to the proper form of soft tissue treatment.
And for this reason, no other soft tissue approach can reproduce the outcomes repetitively across the board as well as we can!
Trigger-bands
Trigger-bands are twisted bands of fibers that run along a linear pathway. These distortions are like seams that have become separated, torn, twisted, wrinkled, or sprained. Trigger-bands are the most common type of Fascial Distortion seen clinically as they usually present in patients that have experienced repetitive, acute and chronic sprain/strain injuries.
Continuum Distortions
Continuum Distortions occur when the transition zone between ligaments, tendon, or other tissue, and bone have lost their ability to respond to external forces. These distortions typically occur at attachment sites and are clinically responsible for the creation of bone spurs if untreated.
Cylinder Distortions
Cylinder Distortions are tangled coils of circular fascia. These superficial layers of fascia become distorted when traction and compression forces are combined with a twisting, or rotational force. These are usually diffuse in nature and are at times difficult for the patient to locate. Cylinder Distortions are present post surgically and are associated to numerous clinical presentations that depict numbness, tingling and spasm.
Herniated Triggerpoints
Herniated Triggerpoints, or HTP’s, are injuries where tissues that normally lay underneath a fascial layer have breached their surrounding. These distortions typically will bulge through their adjacent fascial plane and create localised pain that can radiate throughout a region of the body.
Folding Distortions
Folding Distortions manifest when fascia in, or around a joint becomes distorted. These distortions are usually brought on by either traction, or compression forces (a severe pushing, or pulling mechanism of injury). Folding Distortion injuries lessen the fascia’s ability to protect itself against these pushing, or pulling forces.
Tectonic Fixations
A Tectonic Fixation is defined as a physiological alteration where the fascial surfaces have lost their ability to glide. These are most common in jointed areas that have become fixated, or stiff and typically are accompanied by a marked loss of range of motion.
