Enhance mobility and stability through comprehensive movement analysis
Our chiropractors are firm believers that movement is the key to optimal health. A functional movement assessment (FMA) systematically evaluates how a person moves during specific activities to identify limitations in a person’s movement.
Our practitioners commonly use this to guide a person’s exercise and rehabilitation program, as our goal is to keep every patient moving and pursuing a more active lifestyle. Typical movements include squatting, reaching, twisting, pushing, pulling and lunging.
Common functional movement assessment tools and tests
- FMS (Functional Movement Screen): This is one of the most well-known tools for assessing functional movement. It includes seven tests (like deep squats, lunges, and push-ups) that assess mobility, stability, and movement patterns. Each movement is scored, and corrective exercises or strategies are prescribed based on the score.
- SFMA (Selective Functional Movement Assessment): This is a more detailed, clinical assessment used by healthcare providers to diagnose the underlying causes of pain or dysfunction. The SFMA evaluates movement patterns and identifies which specific movements or positions cause discomfort or limitations.
- Y Balance Test: A functional test used to assess balance, stability, and coordination, particularly in athletes, by measuring how far a person can reach in different directions while standing on one leg.
Functional movement assessments can be a valuable tool in the identification of movement programs that may affect performance while helping individuals recover from an injury.