Expanded Info about Dr. Joe

Honors and Awards

Presenter / Lecturer at Scientific and Professional Meetings – 1994 to 2024.

2017-2018 Inducted as a Board member in the American Fascial Distortion Model Association (AFDMA)

April/5/2014 Awarded the title of Fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Physical medicine and Rehabilitation (FAOCPMR)

10/2/2013 Recognition Award: Be it known that the American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation presents this award to Joe Figueroa, D.O. in recognition for your dedicated service and commitment made as the Conference Chair of the AOCPMR at OMED 2013 with deep gratitude and appreciation. Conference Chair for the AOCPM&R Educational Program at OMED 2013, Las Vegas Nevada.

4/30/11 IOMA Physician of the Year Award. Honored at the Upper Midwest Osteopathic Health Conference, sponsored by the Iowa Osteopathic Medical Association. Des Moines, IA.

2/18/11 AOA Mentor of the Year Finalist. Honored at the AOA Distinguished Mentor Reception during OMED in San Francisco.

05/2008, 05/2009, 05/2010, 05/2014: Faculty Hooder, Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. Serving as Faculty Hooder is a distinct honor that is awarded to the faculty member based on a vote of the class to reflect the faculty member's contributions as a teacher, role model, advisor and mentor.

10/ 30/ 2007 AOA Mentor Hall of Fame Award. Dedicated to recognizing excellence in mentoring by those who serve or have served as trusted advisors to members of the osteopathic profession in the tradition established by A.T.Still, MD, DO. Received by mail from the office of the 2007-2008 President of the AOA, Peter B. Ajluni, D.O.

June 1, 2004 Community Faculty Teaching Award: In Recognition of unselfish effort and excellence in the clinical teaching of the students of DMU/COM as nominated by the students who have rotated with Dr. Figueroa at Des Moines University, Tower Clinic, Des Moines, IA.

April 12, 2002 The Meritorious Service Medal, US Army, was awarded to Major Jose S. Figueroa, United States Army Madigan Army Medical Center: For meritorious service as Assistant Chief and Staff Physiatrist, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services, and as a PROFIS officer. Major Figueroa demonstrated the highest level of commitment and dedication as an outstanding clinician, leader and educator. His extra efforts and accomplishments reflect great credit on him and the United States Army. From 19 June, 2000 to 30 June, 2002, Order # 103-013, 12 APR 02.

1995 Ram’s Head Award for the Fellowship Program in OMM, Recognition for Outstanding Achievements in Osteopathic Manipulative Diagnosis and Therapy, UOMHS (now DMU), Des Moines, IA

1989 Outstanding Academic Excellence, Iowa State University, Minority Student Affairs Recognition Award, Ames, IA

1987-1988 Outstanding Academic Achievement, Iowa State University, Minority Student Affairs Certificate of Achievement, Ames, IA

Publications and Research Experience

2024:

1. Lease S, Figueroa JS: Why do physicians practice osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT)? A survey study. JOM-2023-0288.R2. Published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine (JOM) on 09-11-2024.

2. Voas, A., Figueroa JS: Reducing Blood Pressure: Use of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) as Adjunct Therapy in Treating Uncontrolled Hypertension”. Accepted for the 2024 AAO Convocation LBORC-NUFA research poster presentation.

3. Li, V., Figueroa JS: The Fascial Relationships Between the Psoas and the Respiratory Diaphragm, Accepted for the 2024 AAO Convocation LBORC-NUFA research poster presentation.

2023:

1. Matz, OC, Figueroa JS: Anatomy-based approach to the thyroid examination. Journal of Osteopathic Medicine. March 2023

2022:

1. Berenbeim, G, Figueroa JS: The Role of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine in the Rehabilitation of a Competitive Dancer after a Major Abdominal Surgery: A Case Report. AAO Journal, November 2022.

2. Figueroa JS, Ellis MM: Supine Counterstrain Technique for Posterior Rib Tenderpoints. The AAO Journal. March 2022; 32(1); pp 30-32

2020:

1. Lewis DD, Figueroa JS, McMunn RD, Woolley AL. Osteopathic Self-Treatment to Promote Health and The Body’s Ability to Fight COVID-19. The AAO Journal. 2020;30(2): 7-16. Handout for download and video provided in the following websites: www.dmu.edu/covid-19/exercises. (Accessed 6/15/20) https://thedo.osteopathic.org/2020/04/covid-19-resources-by-dos-for-dos/ (Accessed 6/15/20)

2. Figueroa JS, Lewis DD, McMunn RD. Osteopathic Self-Treatment to Promote Health and The Body’s Ability to Fight COVID-19 (Video link to YouTube provided on DMU and The DOwebsite). www.dmu.edu/covid-19/exercises. (Accessed 6/15/20) https://thedo.osteopathic.org/2020/04/covid-19-resources-by-dos-for-dos/ (Accessed 6/15/20)

3. Figueroa JS, Lewis DD, McMunn RD. Osteopathic Self-Treatment to Promote Health and The Body’s Ability to Fight COVID-19 (Handout). www.dmu.edu/covid-19/exercises. (Accessed 6/15/20) https://thedo.osteopathic.org/2020/04/covid-19-resources-by-dos-for-dos/ (Accessed 6/15/20)

4. Hoevemeyer K (OMS IV), Teng K (OMS IV), Mehner T (OMS IV), McMunn R (OMS IV), Figueroa J (DO), Jie C (PhD): The Effect of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) on Proprioception in Adults: A Pilot Study. AAO Journal, December 2020; Vol. 30, #4, Pages 11-19.

5. Mehner T (OMS IV), Hoevemeyer K (OMS IV), McMunn R (OMS IV), Teng K (OMS IV), Figueroa J (DO), Jie C (PhD): The Effect of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) on Proprioception in Adults: A Pilot Study. Poster presentation at the American Academy of Osteopathy Convocation March 2020.

2018:

1. Boucher JD, Figueroa JS. Restoration of Full Shoulder Range of Motion After Application of the Fascial Distortion Model. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2018 May 1;118(5):341-344

2017:

1. Figueroa, JS & Juba, A.M.H.. (2017). A still technique to correct upslipped innominate somatic dysfunctions. AAO Journal. 27. 7-10.

2016:

1. Figueroa, JS, Summers GK; Utilizing Muscle Energy Technique of the Shoulder Girdle to Correct Somatic Dysfunction of the Thoracic Inlet. AAO Journal, December 2016; Vol. 6, #24, Pages 7-11, 19

2014:

1. Lewis, DD, Figueroa, JS, Summers, GK, Polk, JD; Introducing MAAP: The Modified ASIA Examination for Ambulatory Patients. AAO Journal, June 2014; Vol. 24, No. 2, Pages 40-45

1995:

1. Figueroa JS, Wood B, “Using Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy”, Student Doctor, Official Journal of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association, 1995 Vol. 16 (3), pp. 42-43.

Fellowships-Postgraduate

FAAPMR: Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

FAOCPMR: Fellow of the American Osteopathic College of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Professional Experience-Expanded*

Founder & Clinician – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation by Joe (2025–Present)
Physician (Dr.) at the Des Moines University Clinic, treating patients as a specialist in the Department of Osteopathic Clinical Medicine, Des Moines University (2002–2025)
Assistant Professor, teaching medical students and other professionals at the medical school (DMU, College of Osteopathic Medicine)– Department of Osteopathic Clinical Medicine, Des Moines University (2002–2025)
Active Medical Staff – Iowa Health System & Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines (2002–2019)
Staff Physiatrist & Assistant Chief of PM&R – Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, WA (1999–2002)
Commissioned Officer, United States Army: Major-1999, Captain-1995, 1LT-1987

*An expansive and detailed list of the above items is available in Dr. Figueroa’s Curriculum Vitae (CV). An email request can make it available to individuals or corporations after review.

Education & Training-Expanded