The FIMM (International Federation for Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine) is an umbrella organisation comprises all national societies for Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine in the world.  In former days, the FIMM had a scientific committee that later transformed in the FIMM International Academy of Manual/Musculoskeletal. In contrast to the FIMM, the FIMM International Academy of Manual/Musculoskeletal was individual member organisation. At the FIMM General Assembly in Varna, Bulgaria, September 2008, a majority of member countries voted for a separation of FIMM and its scientific arm the FIMM International Academy of Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine. The present IAMMM was founded.  Nowadays the FIMM and IAMMM are complete separated acting organisations. The further cooperation between the FIMM and the IAMMM was defined in a Memorandum of understanding.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

• This Memorandum of Understanding relates to a decision made by the National Society members of FIMM at its General Assembly (GA) in Varna, Bulgaria on 27^th September 2008.

• At the FIMM GA, it was decided that from 27^th September 2008, the FIMM International Academy of Manual/Musculoskeletal would assume complete independence from FIMM. For the avoidance of doubt, there will no longer be any formal fiscal or structural ties between the two organisations. It was agreed at the FIMM GA that a Memorandum of Understanding would be produced.

• This Memorandum is formulated and agreed by the Executive Board of FIMM and the Executive Board of the International Academy of Manual/Musculoskeletal Medicine (herein under referred to as the Academy).
• Each organisation (FIMM and the Academy) respects the integrity and validity of the other in their primary common aims: a) to enhance and develop scientific approaches that focus on musculoskeletal related problems; and b) to encourage cooperation between scientists and teachers; and c) to encourage the implementation of evidence based diagnostic tests and treatments in the educational systems.
• Each organisation intends to maintain cordial relations with the other, principally regarding strategic and operational matters, with particular respect to their common aims.
• The Academy recognises the continuing role of FIMM in matters appertaining to manual/musculoskeletal medicine, which are outside the interests and remit of the Academy. FIMM recognises the Academy as the international scientific reference institute for the international manual/musculoskeletal medical community.