Why you should consider FDM, too

Looking back at my life, there are several points that have distinctly changed the trajectory of my life’s path. Call it luck, fate, God’s grand plan, whatever you will. Some power outside myself has guided me to where and who I am now. How does this relate to FDM? Let me tell you a story.

In 2016, I had been practicing OMM/NMM full time for about 5 years in a multidisciplinary group practice. I had a full practice and a line out the door. I was also feeling burned out and tired of not feeling supported my organization’s administration. Worst of all, I felt like I hit a plateau with my skills on difficult patient cases. I knew my skills were weak regarding fascial treatments. So I took the opportunity that year to register for the Introduction to FDM course that took place before AAO Convocation. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Just before the start of class, a friend warned me that I would leave with bruises. That was the only thing I had heard about the FDM prior to class. By the end of the first day of my course, I could stand solid as a rock on my left leg for more than 5 seconds. This was, from my perspective, miraculous. Thanks to a fractured femur, I had endured 24 years of weakness and pain in my left leg. It had been re-broken and lengthened over an intramedullary rod with an external fixator. I had never felt that steady on that leg no matter how much PT and exercising I did. Until that day. Now after some work, I am the strongest I have ever been and can deadlift 185 pounds easy.

As for my patients, I was able to help them reach new levels of relief and healing as soon as I finished the class. My staff came to me and asked me what I was doing differently because my patients were leaving thrilled that they felt that much better. In less than two weeks of using FDM techniques and thinking in the Model, my partner moved her schedule around so that she could go get training in FDM as well.

I still use my entire OMM skill set, from counterstrain to cranial and HVLA, as well as FDM techniques. But thinking in the Model has completely changed my perspective as a patient, provider, and teacher. FDM has now become my path. It has renewed my passion for OMM and reminds me daily why I get up and do what I do. What do you get up for in the morning?

--Dr. Lim recently received her International FDM Certification. She currently practices in California.