FIMM was founded on the concepts of European based manual therapy.  It has subsequently expanded to include musculoskeletal medicine and osteopathic medicine. Chronic pain management and injection techniques are now considered to be within the scope of manual/musculoskeletal medicine practitioners. Musculoskeletal medicine perhaps defines the discipline of evidence-based medicine encompassed by FIMM most accurately.

History

FIMM is an international medical organisation representing 23 national associations. Office bearers are democratically elected.

FIMM was founded on May 1st 1958. Dr Christian Terrier (Switzerland) was a driving force in calling the first meeting to establish this international medical organisation. The formation of this new body took place at a meeting of manual practitioners from six nations who had gathered for a clinical meeting. The represented countries were Belgium, Great Britain, France, Scandinavia (representing the Scandinavian countries), Switzerland and Western Germany. From this humble beginning the organization has expanded rapidly to now include 25 member societies from all corners of the globe.

The first official congress of FIMM was held in London in September 1965. At this meeting were representatives of all original founding organizations. Since this first meeting, an international congress has been held every three years. Election of executive office bearers also takes place at these meetings. The current international format of FIMM is clearly identified with the location of these congresses.

The commitment of FIMM to the arena of patient care responsibility and an evidence-based approach to medical diagnosis and treatment accelerated following the 1997 General Assembly in Prague, Czech Republic. It was here that the decision to form former scientific and education committees was passed. The choice of chairmen again illustrates the international diversity of FIMM (Danish and Dutch). The committee members are gathered from medical doctors and full-physician D.O.s (USA). The two committees have been reestablished in 2006 under the name of scientific board and education board. Also in 2006 the health policy board was established by a decision of the general assembly.

 FIMM is a non-profit medical organization that is funded through levies placed on National Society membership. Dues generated are then utilized to fund the activities of the scientific and education Boards. It is the aim of FIMM to enhance the teaching of medical practitioners practicing Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine and to advance the principle of evidence-based medicine. These achievements will ultimately benefit the patient.