We write to you about a very exciting development in Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine.

The International Federation for Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine (FIMM) was founded nearly 40 years ago. Since 1998, the FIMM Scientific Committee (under the Chairmanship of Dr. Jacob Patijn) has been very active.  The results of its endeavours are to be found on the FIMM website (http://www.fimm-online.com). The development of research protocols on reliability of diagnostic tests, and on efficacy of treatments has been of enormous benefit to the research community in Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine (M/M Medicine).

However, for some years it has been apparent that the 12-member FIMM Scientific Committee would benefit from interaction on a regular basis with a much wider group of scientists and educationalists in M/M Medicine and related disciplines. Accordingly, we have been working over recent years towards the formation of an International Academy, to comprise individual membership by subscription.  By such means, the scientific basis for Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine and its implementation through teaching will benefit from the interaction of several hundred international members.

At the FIMM General Assembly in Bratislava, Slovak Republic on 14^th September 2004, the Articles of the FIMM International Academy of Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine were adopted. The undersigned (Dr. Michael Hutson and Dr. Jacob Patijn) were elected Chairman of the Executive Board and Scientific Director respectively, and we write to you in this capacity.  We attach the Articles of the Academy for your information.

Members of the Academy will engage in consensus debate and other types of scientific/educational interactions. The future work of the Academy will be a logical continuation of the work of the late FIMM SC. Areas of special interest will be defined and elaborated in Academy working groups. Academy members will be invited to contribute to the activities of the working groups, under the responsibility of a member of the Science Board. Projects that have not been completed by the late SC will be finalised. We hope that you will share our excitement at this development. The Academy will become the scientific arm of FIMM. FIMM, whose membership comprises National Societies of Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine, will remain the (parent) organisation that is ultimately responsible for the achievements of the FIMM International Academy. We will write to you again, providing you with further information and inviting you to assist in recruitment of members, in a further few weeks.

Yours sincerely,

                 FIMM International Academy of Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicin