"Plungers and Thumb-
prints and Fascia, Oh My!"
-By Erin DePrekel, PNWU National Rep
Why were there plungers labeled “for patient use only” in the OMM lab? Why are there fiery red lines traced over people’s shoulders and down their legs? Why are there thumbprints being left on people’s heels? And why does everyone look so happy about it?
On February 23 & 24, Pacific Northwest University hosted a Fascial Distortion Model workshop. Area physicians were given the opportunity to earn CME credit, and students were encouraged to attend as an extra-curricular learning activity.
The model is fairly new and only beginning to gain recognition in osteopathic medicine. It was developed in the early 1990s and published in the AAO Journal by Stephen Typaldos, DO.
Dr. Todd Capistrant, who teaches the module, describes it as dysfunction due to tangles and adhesions in the cross-linking of fascia. Through interpretation of body language and verbal descriptions, dysfunctions are categorized into 6 kinds of distortions. Treatment is applied according to the category, and can range from sudden direct pressure on a point, to pressure applied in a stripping motion along a band, to gapping or compression of joints. Oh, and the plungers are used to treat cylinder distortions. This model helps explain the mechanisms underlying chronic pain and ligamentous injuries like strains and sprains. While some of the treatments can be intense and painful, often leaving red lines and thumbprints, patients experience such immediate results that they often request further treatment in order to keep improving.
While at the workshop we saw demonstration patients gain significant relief from old sprained ankle injuries, horse-back riding accidents, and even a stroke patient gain better balance. Students practiced on each other and improved range of motion and restored function from running, skiing and other injuries. We hope that FDM will soon become another well-used tool in the osteopathic kit.
From left to right: 1) Melisa Farias, a 2nd year PNWU student treats a "Continuum Distortion."
2)Check out that FDM thumbprint she left over!
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