Functional-Movement-Assessment-physical-therapy-Chicago-Vernon-hills-IL

Functional Movement Assessment

All of our Physical Therapist are trained in the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) as well as the Selective Functional Movement Screen (SFMA).

The Functional Movement Screen (FMS)is a pre-participation screening tool designed to identify compensatory movement patterns that are indicative of increased injury risk and inefficient movement that causes reduced performance. This test gives important movement feedback to allow an individual to move the most efficient way possible to decrease the risk of injury when training, allowing more precise movement to enhance performance and supply the body with the building blocks for return to sport or activity after injury. This test was designed by renowned Physical Therapists (Gray Cook and Lee Burton).

Who Would Benefit from the FMS?

The FMS is important for anyone that is active and wants to prevent injuries and identify potential risks for pain  in the future. The FMS is used by a lot of Professional, Collegiate and High School Athletes to keep them on the field or court without pain and injury. It is the single best test for objectively identifying movement quality needed to be active with sports and recreational activities. 

The FMS generates the Functional Movement Screen Score, which is used to target problems and track progress. This scoring system is directly linked to the most beneficial corrective exercises to restore mechanically sound movement patterns.

Exercise professionals monitor the FMS score to track progress and to identify those exercises that will be most effective to restore proper movement and build strength in each individual.

After you have completed your movement screen you will have a better understanding of how you move and what patterns are problematic for you. A home program will also be included that will get you started on improving those faulty movement patterns. Sign up today and begin your journey to better movement!

What does FMS do?

The FMS simplifies the concept of movement and its impact on the body. Its streamlined system has benefits for everyone involved – individuals, exercise professionals, and physicians.

Communication

The FMS utilizes simple language, making it easy for individuals, exercise professionals, and physicians to communicate clearly about progress and treatment.

Evaluation

The screen effortlessly identifies asymmetries and limitations, diminishing the need for extensive testing and analysis.

Standardization

The FMS creates a functional baseline to mark progress and provides a means to measure performance.

Corrective Strategies

The FMS can be applied at any fitness level, simplifying corrective strategies of a wide array of movement issues. It identifies specific exercises based on individual FMS scores to instantly create customized treatment plans.

The FMS examines seven fundamental movement patterns that make basic function possible. These movement patterns include:

  • Deep Squat
  • Hurdle Step
  • Inline Lunge
  • Shoulder mobility
  • Active Straight Leg Raise
  • Trunk Stability Push-Up
  • Rotary Stability

Benefits of the Functional Movement Screen

  • It is a standardized and objective way to analyze movement
  • The FMS is a quick, detailed way to identify movement faults that could cause injury and pain.
  • Requires minimal equipment
  • Identifies major weak links in the body- The 7 tests above allow the healthcare provider to identify major weakness and imbalances in stability and mobility in the body.  This allows us to design a program of corrective exercises to get the body moving more efficiently with all activities in everyday life and in sport.

The FMS is best utilized near the end of a rehabilitation program when pain is no longer present. The results may then be used to prescribe a post-rehabilitative exercise program as well as supplemental exercises to be utilized alongside a previously established strength or fitness routine. To learn more about how a Functional Movement Screen may help you achieve optimal motion, contact TFI Physical Therapy & Sports Performance to determine how testing may best serve you.

How is the test scored:

 The Seven Movement tests are scored on a scale from 3 to 0. 

3: Indicates that the movement pattern was performed perfectly without compensations or movement faults. 

2: Indicates that the individual is able to perform the functional movement pattern but compensation and movement faults are present. 

1: Indicates that the individual is not able to perform the movement pattern and has balance and movement faults. 

0: Indicates that there is pain with the movement pattern and a detailed Physical Therapy Assessment should be performed. 

Why is the Functional Movement Screen Important: 

It gives the  healthcare provider information on the necessary movement patterns that are involved in everyday life as well as athletics. It looks at the body as a whole unit not just its individual parts. It serves as a great baseline test to identify movement efficiency and predict the likelihood of injury in the future or why an Injury may have happened in the past. 

Selective Functional Movement Assessment:

The Selective Functional  Movement Assessment (SFMA) is used to identify specific movement limitations that give you pain. This detailed assessment is used to find which movement patterns are dysfunctional in the body and helps determine why pain is present in the body.

To learn more about how a Functional Movement Screen may help you achieve optimal motion, contact TFI Physical Therapy & Sports Performance at Chicago or Vernon Hills to determine how testing may best serve you

Your Next Steps…

  1. Request An Appointment

  2. Receive A Custom Treatment Plan

  3. Work Hard and Progress In Your Recovery

  4. Recover & Enjoy Life Pain-Free!

Your Journey To Recovery Starts Here