About
The Society of Orthopaedic Medicine was formed in 1979 to develop the work of Dr James Cyriax and to promote the theory and practice of orthopaedic medicine. Membership consists of approximately 1700 doctors and physiotherapists.
Orthopaedic medicine is the examination, diagnosis and treatment of non-surgical lesions of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic medicine began in 1929 when Dr James Cyriax observed a number of patients where the diagnosis was vague and the treatment non-specific. There appeared to be no satisfactory method for testing the function of soft tissues to achieve a clinical diagnosis. He developed a system of assessment aiming to accurately diagnose lesions of the musculoskeletal system and a non-surgical method of treatment for soft tissue lesions.
He based his work on the following principles:
- All pain has a source
- All treatment must reach the source
- All treatment must benefit the lesion
Since the approach was formulated by Dr Cyriax, it has undergone constant development and re-appraisal in the light of current research.
The Society continues to be invited to run courses both nationally and internationally with a team of experienced teachers. Doctors and physiotherapists come together to learn this approach and the Society continues to grow with an ever increasing demand for courses.
An academic journal, International Musculoskeletal Medicine, is published four times per year in conjunction with the British Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine and the International Academy of Manual / Musculoskeletal Medicine.
A combined symposium is organised annually, enabling current and past students to maintain contact with the Society.
Dr Cyriax’s wife Patsy who is in her 90th year is Patron of the Society.
