Orthopedic Medicine is a specialty of allopathic medicine founded by Dr. James Cyriax, M.D. in London in 1929. He found that there was a void in the British health care system when it came to the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. The general practitioners did not have the training, interest or time to deal properly with these conditions. The Orthopedic Surgeons were mostly interested in surgical solutions to problems and the vast majority of these problems did not have surgical solutions. The physiotherapists and the "bone setters" (the British term for chiropractors) were the only ones interested in these problems, but they were not trained in making a medical diagnosis.

Cyriax developed a way to make a medical diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders which included precise history taking and a systematic physical examination of the patient which localized the soft tissue "lesion" to a particular anatomical structure. He originated the concept of referred pain which meant that the location of the pain was not always the exact location of the lesion. His physical examination originated the concept of selective tissue tension to localize the lesion precisely.

Cyriax also developed a system of treatment of the soft tissue lesions that he diagnosed. His treatment methods consisted of manipulation, massage, traction and injection. Although most present day Orthopedic Medicine physicians use osteopathic manipulative techniques because they are more gentle and precise, Cyriax did introduce the allopathic medical community to the concept of using manipulation as a medical treatment. Cyriax's technique of cross friction massage continues to be used today and is the treatment of choice for chronic tendonitis at the musculo-tendinous junction. His injection techniques are also widely used although modern Orthopedic Medicine physicians augment them with Prolotherapy and Neural Therapy injection techniques.

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