Fascial Distortion Model (FDM): An Innovative Approach to Pain Relief

If you’ve struggled with stubborn pain, muscle tightness, or movement limitations, you may have heard about the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM). But what exactly is FDM, and how can it help you recover? At Praxis Physical Therapy, we are proud to offer FDM as part of our commitment to evidence-based, innovative care.

Nagging Chronic Neck and Shoulder Pain

What is the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM)?

The Fascial Distortion Model is a unique way of looking at pain and injuries, developed by Dr. Stephen Typaldos, an osteopathic physician. FDM is based on the idea that many types of pain, injuries, and movement restrictions are caused by specific distortions or disruptions in the body’s fascia.

Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, nerves, and organs, holding everything together while allowing smooth movement. When fascia becomes distorted—due to injury, repetitive movement, or strain—it can create pain, stiffness, and loss of function.

Structural kinds of fascia:

• Banded: Protects from perpendicular forces.

• Coiled: Protects non-jointed areas from compression or traction forces.

• Folding: Protects joint from compression or traction forces.

• Smooth: Keeps joints and tissue lubricated to glide appropriately.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FASCIA THROUGH OUR ARTICLE ABOUT IT!

How Does FDM Work?

What sets FDM apart from other approaches is its focus on body language and patient description. During your evaluation, your therapist will pay close attention to how you describe and point to your pain. These gestures, combined with your story and symptoms, help identify which type of fascial distortion may be present.

There are six main types of fascial distortions:

1. Triggerbands

2. Continuum Distortions

3. Herniated Triggerpoints

4. Tectonic Fixations

5. Folding Distortions

6. Cylinder Distortions

Each type causes different symptoms and requires a specific hands-on treatment technique. By correcting these distortions, therapists can often provide rapid pain relief and improved mobility—even in cases where other treatments have failed.

Shoulder Treatment

What Does an FDM Session Feel Like?

FDM is a very hands-on method. Your therapist will use manual techniques to “correct” the identified fascial distortion. Some treatments can feel intense for a few moments, but many patients report significant improvement in pain and function right after the session.

FDM is used to treat:

• Sprains and strains

• Chronic pain conditions

• Sports injuries

• Back and neck pain

• Joint pain

• Tendon and ligament injuries

Spinal Treatment

Is FDM Right For You?

FDM is appropriate for a wide range of musculoskeletal complaints, from acute injuries to lingering chronic pain. It is especially helpful for athletes, active individuals, and anyone who has tried traditional approaches without lasting results.

At Praxis Physical Therapy, our clinicians are trained in FDM and can integrate this method into your personalized treatment plan. If you’re interested in learning more about how FDM can help you move better and feel better, contact us today!

Current and Emerging Studies Available:

Studies Related to the Upper Extremity

Click on a title below to view the relevant work. Full citations appear below the list of titles. Documents served from this website are done so with permission of the owners.

1. Efficacy of a Manual Treatment Method According to the Fascial Distortion Model in the Management of Contracted (“Frozen”) Shoulder

2. Usefulness of Soft Tissue Therapy in Patients with Shoulder Pain Syndrome

3. Restoration of Full Shoulder Range of Motion After Application of the Fascial Distortion Model

4. The use of fascial distortion model (FDM) in a patient with limited mobility in the shoulder joint – a case report

5. The impact of Fascial Distortion Model on Shoulder Girdle Dysfunction

6. The Fascial Distortion Model in Military Aircrew with Chronic Neck Pain: A Case Study

7. Comparison of the efficacy of manual treatment according to fascial distortion model versus joint mobilization in patients with shoulder impingement: A randomized clinical trial

8. Effects of Fascial Distortion Model with and without Neck Isometrics in Patients with Cervical Spine Overload

9. The Effect of Fascial Distortion Model on Maximal Grip Strength, Force Sense and Range of Motion

10. Fascial Treatment in Frozen Shoulder: A Case Report

11. TRANSIENT ACCESSORY NERVE PALSY AS AN ADVERSE EFFECT OF FACIAL DISTORTION MODEL THERAPY – A CASE REPORT

12. The impact of manual therapy on rare perinatal sternocleidomastoideus muscle injury

13. Treatment of a “Frozen Shoulder” according to the Fascial Distortion Model case Study

Studies related to the Trunk

Click on a title below to view the relevant work. Full citations appear below the list of titles. Documents served from this website are done so with permission of the owners.

1. Effect of a Single Session of Facial Distortion Model Manual Physiotherapy and a Selected Foam Rolling Technique on Treatment Outcomes in Cervical Spine Overload. Pilot Study

2. Efficacy of Fascial Distortion Model Treatment for Acute, Nonspecific Low-Back Pain in Primary Care: A Prospective Controlled Trial

3. The Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain Following the Principles of the Fascial Distortion Model FDM

4. Fascial Manipulation® for chronic a specific low back pain: a single blinded randomized controlled trial

5. Effect of Fascial Distortion Model on the Cobb’s Angle in Adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis

6. A Case of Chronic Postoperative Abdominal Wall Pain Successfully Treated with the Fascial Distortion Model

7. Comparison of immediate effects of myofascial release and fascial distortion model on the range of motion, pain pressure threshold, and balance in healthy adults

8. The Role of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine in the Rehabilitation of a Competitive Dancer after a Major Abdominal Surgery

Studies Related to the Lower Extremity

Click on a title below to view the relevant work. Full citations appear below the list of titles. Documents served from this website are done so with permission of the owners.

1. The Effects of the Fascial Distortion Model on Chronic Hamstring Tightness

2. Treatment of Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome according to the Fascial Distortion Model: A Prospective Case Control Study

3. Use of the Fascial Distortion Model to Evaluate a Limp in a Child

4. Progressive Rehabilitation of the Sprained Ankle: A Novel Treatment Method

5. Recovery of Functional Mobility with a Long-Term Nursing Facility Patient Utilizing the Fascial Distortion Model: A Case Study

6. Manual Therapy Informed by the Fascial Distortion Model for Plantar Heel Pain: Results of a Single-Arm Prospective Effectiveness Study

7. Treatment of complex leg complaints according to the fascial distortion model

8. Investigating the Combined Effects of Fascial Distortion Model Manual Therapy and Balance–Strength Training in Individuals with Chronic Ankle Instability

9. Comparative effects of fascial distortion model with and without neuromuscular inhibition technique on pain, range of motion and quality of life in patients with piriformis syndrome

10. Comparison of the effect of the Fascial Distortion Model, Foam Rolling and Self-Stretching on the Ankle Dorsiflexion Range of Motion

11. Effects of Manual Therapy on Fascial Distortion Model in Adolescent Ankle Sprain: A Pilot Study

12. A Comparison of the Effects of Static Stretching and the Fascial Distortion Model (FDM) on Hamstring Flexibility

13. Management of medial tibial stress syndrome with osteopathic manipulative treatment in a basketball player: Case report

14. Effects of Manual Therapy on Fascial Distortion Model in Adolescent Ankle Sprain: A Pilot Study

Relevant Fascia Research

1. Fascial Components of the Myofascial Pain Syndrome

2. Clinical and Symptomatological Reflections: The Fascial System

3. Modeled Osteopathic Manipulative Treatments: A Review of Their in Vitro Effects on Fibroblast Tissue Preparations

4. Fascia Research from a Clinicians/Scientist’s Perspective

5. Bioelectric Responsiveness of Fascia: A Model for Understanding the Effects of Manipulation. Techniques in Orthopaedics

6. Fascial tissue research in sports medicine: from molecules to tissue adaptation, injury and diagnostics: consensus statement

7. Introducing the Fascial Distortion Model

8. Triggerband Technique

9. Continuum technique

10. Fascial distortion model (FDM-therapy). Principles of diagnosis and treatment (literature review)

11. Innervation of the thoracolumbar fascia

12. Soleus Muscle Herniation With Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasound Correlation in a Female Long-Distance Runner: A Case Report

13. Fascial treatment versus manual therapy (HVLA) in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled trial

14. Fasciae of the musculoskeletal system: normal anatomy and MR patterns of involvement in autoimmune diseases

15. Characterizing Adverse Events Reported Immediately After Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment

16. The Shape and Function of Solid Fascias Depend on the Presence of Liquid Fascias

17. Entrapment of middle cluneal nerves as an unknown cause of low back pain

18. Detection of Myofascial Herniation on Dynamic Sonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

19. Fascia Mobility, Proprioception, and Myofascial Pain

20. Hyaluronan within fascia in the etiology of myofascial pain

21. Effects of Fascial Distortion Model and Myofascial Release on Pain Threshold in Remote Area

    
    

FDM Critique

1. A Fundamental critique of the fascial distortion model and its application in the clinical practice

2. Critical Examination of the Fascial Distortion Model

Interrater Reliability

1. Interrater Reliability in Evaluating the Body Language Based on the Fascial Distortion Model

2. Interrater-Reliability of Distortion-Classification Using Body Language within the Fascial Distortion Model

   
   

Ready to try a new approach to pain relief?Visit www.praxisphysio.com, call us at 360-389-3156, or email info@praxisphysio.com to schedule your appointment!