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Fascial Distortion Model – A Remarkable Cure Juan F. Acosta, DO, MS, FACOEP-D
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s Osteopathic physicians we have many tools in our treatment repertoire that help patients in time of need and, in many cases, urgently. Although Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) may not be used by most osteopathic physicians in an emergency department, we still use our osteopathic principles and practice when we treat our patients. Many factors such as a patient’s acuity and the increase in patients being seen in the ER, limits the amount of time one can spend performing such procedures as OMT. Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) is a treatment developed by the late Stephen Typaldos, DO; a Family Medicine physician who worked in emergency medicine, as well as, manipulative medicine. Fascia is a living tissue, thus needing all the nutrients and oxygen in order to sustain itself and the body it supports (Typaldos, S., 2002). It is a very effective treatment but three out of the six distortions are very painful to treat. FDM is a manual treatment based on six different fascial distortions in which the patient has specific body languages to describe the pain they are experiencing. The six distortions include Triggerbands, Continuum Distortion (CD), Herniated Trigger Point (HTP), Folding Distortion, Tectonic Distortion and Cylinder Distortion. Each one of these distortions has a specific body language. This concept of body language is important in making the correct diagnosis. Triggerband – a sweeping finger along the painful linear pathway. Herniated Trigger Point (HTP) – pushing fingers, thumb or knuckles, into the protruding tissue. Continuum Distortion (CD) – pointing with one finger to the spot of pain. Folding Distortion – for the extremities there is a “cupping of the joint with hand”; for the back – placing the dorsum of hand or fist on the spine.
the PULSE | January 2014
is a manual treatment based on six "FDM different fascial distortions in which the patient
has specific body languages to describe the pain they are experiencing.
"
Cylinder Distortion – respectively squeezing the soft tissues or broad sweeping motion of palm along a wide area of discomfort.
quick treatment on patients that is “objective, obvious, measurable and immediate” (Typaldos, S. 2002).
Tectonic Fixation – shoulder – anterior rotation with abduction; hip – placing hands on iliac crest; low back – repetitively twisting torso. Inability of the fascial surfaces to glide
There are presently three certified instructors in the United Sates; Dr. Todd Capistrant (Alaska), Dr. Byron Perkins (Alaska) and Dr. Gene Lenard (California).
I was introduced to the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) in 2010 and have used it ever since. There are three modules used to instruct the FDM. Although the treatments are painful, it is very rewarding to be able to perform a
eference: Typaldos, Stephen, (2002), Clinical and R theoretical Applications of the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) within the Practice of Medicine and Surgery, Typaldos Publishing Co.