A Treatise on the Functional Pathology of the Musculoskeletal System, Volume 1: Introduction

In this Treatise on the Functional Pathology of the Musculoskeletal  System (FPMSS), Dr Brooks presents a new paradigm for understanding the  musculoskeletal system and a scientifically valid-reliable,  semiquantifiable, and consistently interpretable-method for examining  dysfunction thereof. This first volume presents the fundamentals of the  paradigm and is designed for use by a primary care audience. While the  paradigm is applicable to the wide variety of clinical conditions  potentially amenable to manual medicine and related rehabilitative  techniques, this first volume takes chronic, nonspecific musculoskeletal  pain syndromes as its focus for application.

The FPMSS paradigm  complements orthopedic, rheumatologic, and neurologic understandings of  the musculoskeletal system and contrasts with current models of manual  medicine in several important respects:
Understands the  musculoskeletal system (MSS) as an integrated organ systemDiscriminates  questions about physiology from questions about anatomyDiscriminates  questions about pathology from questions about physiologyDifferentiates  functional pathology from structural pathologyAppreciates principles of  scientifically valid nomenclature for function and dysfunction of  musculoskeletal structures as components of an integrated  systemRecognizes dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system as  inefficient functionShifts the emphasis of examination for dysfunction  from malalignment of structure/posture to disturbance of systemic  movementDiscriminates control of posture and movement from imbalance of  available motionGrades available motion deficits using the criterion of  proportionality-not merely symmetry-thus revealing otherwise  unappreciated dysfunction and allowing for prioritization and  profilingPrioritizes mobilization interventions according to specified,  ranked criteriaProfiles an individual's motion phenotype based upon  patterns of available motion deficits, thus providing "precision"  biomechanical medicine
Use of the FPMSS paradigm examination will  reduce the incidence of false negative and false positive findings for  MSS dysfunction-thus improving the effectiveness, safety, and efficiency  of caring for those suffering from chronic musculoskeletal pain.