Peripheral Pain Pathway Model
(Module 1)

SYNOPSIS

Skeletal muscles are composed of longitudinally aligned fibers that provide elasticity and tensile strength. However, these fibers remain highly vulnerable to even minor shearing forces. In the Peripheral Pain Pathway Model (Module 1), the focus is on identifying and treating Fascial Adhesive Bands (FABs)—microstructural dysfunctions arising from shear stress and impaired connective tissue adaptation. These fascial adhesions may present clinically as:

• A twisted, leather-like band.
• A wave-like density near articular surfaces.
• A localized knot or almond-sized nodule within the fascial layer.

The Model Also Classifies Fascial Adhesions as:

• Ligamental Fascial Bands (LFBs) and Articulation Fascial Adhesions (AFAs): Often found at ligamentous insertions and resulting from abnormal cross-linking during healing.
• Chronic Fascial Adhesive Bands (CRFABs) and Overuse Fascial Adhesions (OFAs): Long-standing adhesions causing persistent pain. Treatment transitions them into Acute Fascial Adhesive Bands (AFABs), reopening the tissue’s healing capacity.

The treatment approach is grounded in the principle that fascial adhesions arise from toxic adaptations and connective tissue dysfunction (CTD). The Peripheral Pain Pathway Model (Module 1) protocol achieves immediate pain modulation, restoration of strength, recovery of soft tissue mobility, and enhanced neuromyofascial integration.

Applications

1. Soft Connective Tissue Dysfunction (STD) Approach

The module highlights how soft tissue dysfunctions within muscles, tendons, fascia, and aponeurotic structures play a central role in pain and altered biomechanics. This approach includes:

• Detecting fascial cross-linking within muscle sheaths and intermuscular septa.
• Releasing fibrotic or overused muscle tissue to restore elasticity.
• Correcting compensatory fascial loading across kinetic chains.
• Restoring balanced force transmission through joints.

This approach, along with hard connective tissue needling, is especially effective for chronic tendinopathies, repetitive strain injuries, and postural syndromes, where fascial adhesions disrupt normal movement efficiency.

2. Knee Dysfunctional Syndromes (KDS)

Knee dysfunction often involves adhesions in the ligament–retinacula continuum, resulting in pain, weakness, and restricted function. Peripheral Pain Pathway Model (Module 1) introduces the Retinacula Stimulation Technique (RST)—a specialized AIFIDN method that:

• Precisely targets retinacular adhesions.
• Restores mobility, stability, and muscle coordination.
• Addresses both acute injuries and chronic degenerative conditions.

RST has wide clinical application in sports injuries, patellofemoral pain, ligamentous strain, and degenerative knee syndromes.

3. Spinal Dysfunctional Syndromes

The multilayered fascial system of the spine frequently develops adhesive restrictions that impair posture, mobility, and stability. Peripheral Pain Pathway Model (Module 1) provides targeted strategies to:

• Palpate and identify fascial adhesive bands across spinal segments.
• Release deep fascial restrictions driving rigidity and segmental dysfunction.
• Restore mobility and functional integration of spinal structures.

A key advancement in Peripheral Pain Pathway Model (Module 1) is the application of Nerve Fixation Protocols (NFPs). Fascial adhesions often entrap or restrict peripheral nerves within their fascial tunnels, leading to pain, radiating symptoms, or reduced neural mobility. Using AIFIDN’s evidence-based approach, NFPs:

• Free entrapped nerves from fascial adhesions.
• Restore normal neural glide and conductivity.
• Reduce radiating or referred pain patterns associated with spinal dysfunction.

By combining fascial adhesion release with nerve fixation protocols, Peripheral Pain Pathway Model (Module 1) provides a comprehensive solution for spine-related disorders, improving outcomes in chronic pain, radiculopathy-like presentations, and postural dysfunctions.

Professional Development

Beyond its clinical applications, the Peripheral Pain Pathway Model (Module 1) introduces therapists to the third-generation Fascial Adhesion Model (FAM) Dry Needling. This foundation reduces apprehension toward needling, enhances palpation accuracy, and builds practitioner confidence. It equips clinicians with evidence-based strategies to integrate fascial adhesion release into multidisciplinary pain management.

• 1.Needle safety & Infection control, OSHA standard.
• 2.APTA, ASAP guidelines for safe dry needling.
• 3.Structure of Vitality (Neurophysiology):
• Optical effects.
• Segmental analgesic effects.
• Opioids mechanism.
• Non-Opioids mechanism.
• Nerve Fixation.
• Descending Inhibitory pain control matrix.
• Biochemical modulation.
• Pain Gate mechanism.
• Antidote effect.

Contraindications & Indications of dry needling. Adverse effects, Precautions & Limitations of dry needling. Self practice & understanding different sizes of needles used for the procedure. Segments & Guidelines of needle manipulation.

The dry needling approaches for the following functional areas WILL BE systematically explained and clinically integrated using the 3rd Generation Fascial Adhesion Model (FAM), ensuring precision, safety, and enhanced therapeutic outcomes:

• 1. Hip Functional Areas:
• Gluteus Maximus.
• Gluteus Medius.
• Gluteus Minimus.
• Iliotibial (IT) Band.

• LUNCH BREAK.

• 2. Knee Functional Areas:
• Popliteus.
• Tibialis Anterior.
• Gastrocnemius.
• Soleus.
• Osteoarthritis of Knee joint (Retinacular Stimulation Technique).
• 3. Ankle Functional Areas:
• Extensor Hallucis Brevis.
• Extensor Hallucis Longus.

• 4. Face Functional Areas:
• Frontalis.
• Zygomatic.
• Corrugator Supercil.

5. The dry needling approaches for the following functional areas have been systematically explained and clinically integrated using the 3rd Generation Fascial Adhesion Model (FAM), ensuring precision, safety, and enhanced therapeutic outcomes:

• Multifidus (Lumbar & Thoracic).
• Paraspinal Muscles.
• Sciatic Nerve with Common Peroneal Nerve flow.

• 6. Cervical Functional Areas:
• Semispinalis Capitis.
• Sternocleidomastoid.
• Upper Trapezius.

• LUNCH BREAK

• 7. Shoulder Functional Areas:
• Deltoid.
• Supraspinatus.
• Infraspinatus.
• 8. Arm Functional Areas:
• Biceps Brachii.
• Triceps Brachii.
• Coracobrachialis.

• 9. Forearm Functional Areas:
• Brachioradialis.
• Pronator Teres.
• Flexor Carpi Radialis.
• Flexor Carpi Ulnaris.
• Palmaris Longus.
• Extensor Carpi Ulnaris.
• Extensor Digitorum.
• Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus.
• Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis.
• 10. Wrist & Hand Functional Areas:
• Abductor Pollicis Brevis.
• Palmaris Brevis.
• Abductor Digitiminimi.

• 11. Exam
• Theory & Practical