FDM Living Manual

Continuum Distortions

Occipital Continuum Distortion

Occipital Continuum Distortion

Occipital Continuum DistortionThis Continuum Distortion is present at the acupuncture point gall bladder 20 and is thus commonly known as GB 20. This is a very powerful point in acupuncture, and it is used to treat many problems in both acupuncture and the FDM. These...

TMJ Continuum Distortion

TMJ Continuum Distortion

TMJ Continuum DistortionThe most common problem in the jaw joint is a continuum distortion, which can cause pain while chewing, jaw clicking, lock jaw, and many other problems. The therapist should remember the nearness of the ear to the jaw joint and that problems...

Transverse Process Continuum Distortion

Transverse Process Continuum Distortion

Transverse Process Continuum DistortionIn the case of high stress on the cervical spine musculature, the treatment can be done in the prone position to allow ample relaxation of surrounding tissues around the TVPs. Continuum Distortions may be palpable along any...

Levator Scapula Continuum Distortion

Levator Scapula Continuum Distortion

Levator Scapula Continuum DistortionPinpoint pain may be indicated along the superior medial scapula border, or the occipital region. Diligently palpate along the origin and insertion points of the Levator Scapula to find the most sensitive areas of pain. Hold direct...

Medial Scapula Continuum Distortion

Medial Scapula Continuum Distortion

Medial Scapula Continuum DistortionThe scapula can contain multiple “quiet Continuum Distortions” along the scapular borders. These are not often perceived by the patient, but they do seriously hamper shoulder movement. The therapist should palpate the scapula in...

Lateral Scapula Continuum Distortion

Lateral Scapula Continuum Distortion

Lateral Scapula Continuum DistortionThe scapula can contain multiple “quiet Continuum Distortions” along the scapular borders. These are not often perceived by the patient, but they do seriously hamper shoulder movement. The therapist should palpate the scapula in...

Sub-Scapular Continuum Distortion

Sub-Scapular Continuum Distortion

Sub-Scapular Continuum DistortionPatients only rarely indicate sub-scapular Continuum Distortions, but we have frequently found them occurring in shoulder problems. There is no corresponding body language for sub-scapular Continuum Distortions.Body LanguageTreatments

Acromion Continuum Distortion

Acromion Continuum Distortion

Acromion Continuum DistortionThe acromion Continuum Distortion is located in the region of the A/C Joint.Body LanguageTreatments

Anterior Shoulder Continuum Distortion

Anterior Shoulder Continuum Distortion

Anterior Shoulder Continuum DistortionOne of the most common Continuum Distortions that are indicated to be on the shoulder are those in the region of the long biceps tendon. However, this is not the tendon itself but rather the tendon sheath at the humerus. An...

Deltoid Continuum Distortion

Deltoid Continuum Distortion

Deltoid Continuum DistortionThe deltoid Continuum Distortion can be found near the deltoid insertion on the lateral aspect of the upper part of the arm. Many times there will be CD's located along the posterior aspect of the capsule of the shoulder.Body...

Lateral Elbow Continuum Distortion

Lateral Elbow Continuum Distortion

Lateral Elbow Continuum DistortionIn practice, the most frequently found Continuum Distortions are those on the lateral elbow around the radial head. It is not uncommon for several Continuum Distortions to exist here side by side. Sometimes the patient will move their...

Medial Elbow Continuum Distortion

Medial Elbow Continuum Distortion

Medial Elbow Continuum DistortionIn practice, the most frequently found Continuum Distortions are those on the elbow around the radial head. It is not uncommon for several Continuum Distortions to exist here side by side. Sometimes the patient will move his finger in...

Cubital Fossa Continuum Distortion

Cubital Fossa Continuum Distortion

Cubital Fossa Continuum DistortionIn the case of restricted flexion and extension the therapist should look for Continuum Distortions in the cubital fossa as well as in the olecranon. The patient will only rarely indicate where these are, although they affect the...

Posterior Wrist Continuum Distortion

Posterior Wrist Continuum Distortion

Posterior Wrist Continuum DistortionPosterior wrist continuum distortions are found posterior in the region of the scaphoid and lunate.Body LanguageTreatments

Thenar Continuum Distortion

Thenar Continuum Distortion

Thenar Continuum DistortionContinuum Distortions that are located at the thumb joint may be palpated with the pad of the thumb.Body LanguageTreatments

Transverse Process Continuum Distortion

Transverse Process Continuum Distortion

Transverse Process Continuum DistortionContinuum Distortions may be palpable along any portion of the spine. Proper patient placement is essential in correcting these Distortions. Direct and continuous pressure with the treating thumb should be held until the...

Costo-Transverse Continuum Distortion

Costo-Transverse Continuum Distortion

Costo-Transverse Continuum DistortionThis presentation may coincide with sharp pain during inhalation. It may be necessary to treat these distortions with the patient holding their breath with full inhalation, exhale and then holding the breath in full exhalation.Body...

Pubic Symphysis Continuum Distortion

Pubic Symphysis Continuum Distortion

Pubic Symphysis Continuum DistortionA rare CD is found on the pubic symphysis. This usually occurs along with an Adductor CD, or perhaps due too excessive stress on the abdominal muscles. These are typically performed with the tips of the fingers to avoid sensitive...

Ischial Tuberosity Continuum Distortion

Ischial Tuberosity Continuum Distortion

Ischial Tuberosity Continuum DistortionWe can find CDs here at the connection of the sacrotuberus ligament superiomedially and the hamstrings attachments inferiorly. Since these CDs may be difficult to locate through palpation, it is necessary to find the exact...

Iliac Crest Continuum Distortion

Iliac Crest Continuum Distortion

Iliac Crest Continuum DistortionCDs that run side by side can be found along the crest and are easily located through palpation, which will gradually reduce them towards a caudal direction. CDs are rarely found in the mid-gluteal area. Instead, this is a common...

Iliolumbar Ligament/SI Joint Continuum Distortion

Iliolumbar Ligament/SI Joint Continuum Distortion

Iliolumbar Ligament/SI Joint Continuum DistortionThis treatment is typically done in the prone position. If needed, a treatment in the standing position with forward spinal flexion is to be preferred to attain maximal exposure of this CD. The iliolumbar ligament CD is...

Trochanter Continuum Distortion

Trochanter Continuum Distortion

Trochanter Continuum DistortionAs already mentioned, some CDs can be found on the trochanter, especially in the posterior region.Body LanguageTreatments

Adductors Continuum Distortion

Adductors Continuum Distortion

Adductors Continuum DistortionCommon patients with Adductor CDs are kickers, soccer and hockey players. As with radial head CDs, several CDs are often found next to each other on the pubic ramus. Some athletes frequently indicate older injuries in the adductors, and...

LCL Continuum Distortion

LCL Continuum Distortion

LCL Continuum DistortionThese are found on both the medial and lateral side of the origin, or the attachment.Body LanguageTreatments

MCL Continuum Distortion

MCL Continuum Distortion

MCL Continuum DistortionThese are found on both the medial and lateral side of the origin, or the attachment. At the medial knee, these CDs may involve the attachment of the adductors with their corresponding CD.Body LanguageTreatments

Popliteal Continuum Distortion

Popliteal Continuum Distortion

Popliteal Continuum DistortionA CD frequently found in cases of complaints during knee flexion. The popliteal CD is treated first in all knee complaints where there is a limitation either flexion, or extension. Treatment should be administered with the patient in the...

Tibial Tuberosity Continuum Distortion

Tibial Tuberosity Continuum Distortion

Tibial Tuberosity Continuum DistortionMany are found in Osgood-Schlatter disease.  Get right into the center of the most tender point, back it up with the other hand, press and hold until release is felt.Body LanguageTreatments

Patellar Continuum Distortion

Patellar Continuum Distortion

Patellar Continuum DistortionFollowing trauma, CDs often occur in the knee. Distortions that are caused by a repetitive force are commonly found in the case of runners (runner’s knee). Treatment of the patellar CD: also known as the patella-femoral syndrome in...

Achilles Continuum Distortion

Achilles Continuum Distortion

Achilles Continuum DistortionIt is quite uncommon to find a distortion in the Achilles tendon. More frequently there are distortions in the structures that surround the tendon. These do not have an exact attachment point, so the position of CDs here can vary. The...

Anterior Ankle Continuum Distortion

Anterior Ankle Continuum Distortion

Anterior Ankle Continuum DistortionThe anterior ankle CD is found between the tibia and talus in the upper ankle joint. As is the case with the hand, this CD is rarely indicated by the patient, but is quite irritating. If this CD is present, then the patient will...

Lateral Ankle Continuum Distortion

Lateral Ankle Continuum Distortion

Lateral Ankle Continuum DistortionIn the case of a classical supination trauma, CDs are found around the lateral malleolus and should be searched along the malleolus as well as the calcaneus. (ie; If CDs are found at the calcaneus, then there may be some at the...

Medial Ankle Continuum Distortion

Medial Ankle Continuum Distortion

Medial Ankle Continuum DistortionThe medial ankle is typically more affected with eversion ankle sprains, which may result in everted continuums along the inferior border of the medial malleolus. Often there are clusters of continuums that can be found along the...

Hallux Continuum Distortion

Hallux Continuum Distortion

Hallux Continuum DistortionThe Patient will point to one spot. Palpate to find the most sensitive point. Set up contact with your thumb, press in with a lot of force, hold the continuum, and wait for it to melt away.Body LanguageTreatments

Plantar Continuum Distortion

Plantar Continuum Distortion

Plantar Continuum DistortionEvery patient who has a calcaneal spur will know how painful and persistent CDs can be. From the FDM perspective, a calcaneal spur is really nothing other than multiple overlaid CDs, often combined with a triggerband. Not only are several...

Fascial Distortion Model®