About BIMM

The Institute was formed on 5 December l992 by an amalgamation of the British Association of Manipulative Medicine and the Institute of Orthopaedic Medicine.

These two organisations, both originally started by James Cyriax in the 1960`s, were both charities and had been working in parallel to promote interest in and the study of Musculoskeletal Medicine. In recognition of this the Councils brought the memberships together.

The long-term aims of the Institute are:

• To promote education and research in the science and art of musculoskeletal medicine for the ultimate benefit of the public.
• Disseminate knowledge about musculoskeletal medicine among the medical profession and stimulate and encourage clinical research.
• Co-ordinate efforts to increase the teaching of this specialty within the established educational structure.
• Promote the specialty within the NHS and to develop Musculoskeletal Medicine as a specialty.

We therefore:

• Disseminate knowledge about musculoskeletal medicine among the medical profession.
• Stimulate and encourage clinical research.
• Co-ordinate efforts to increase the teaching of this specialty within the established educational structure.
• Promote the specialty within the NHS.

In pursuit of these aims members have been instrumental in encouraging a Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine set up by the Society of Apothecaries of London and now run under the auspices of BIMM, supported by a full syllabus and accreditation criteria. There are regular courses and symposia run through the Institute and the Education team also run courses for commissioning services and PCT’s.

BIMM is interested in all forms of musculoskeletal medicine; sports medicine, osteopathic treatment, other types of manipulation, injection techniques and the use of physiotherapy and allied techniques. A large part of the work load for most members is back pain, but all forms of muscle and joint injury and pain are dealt with regularly. The techniques taught by the Institute are of use to all doctors especially in General Practice, Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine, Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Pain Clinics.

Membership of the Institute is restricted to registered medical practitioners. We have, in association with the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine and the International Academy, the International Musculoskeletal Medicine Journal published by Maney.

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