Selective Functional Movement Assessment

Physical Therapy

Functional movement assessment is a powerful tool in physical therapy. It’s not just about evaluating a patient’s movement patterns and identifying limitations or dysfunctions. It’s about empowering you to understand your body better.

These assessments, which involve tests and exercises targeting specific movements and muscle groups, can reveal the underlying causes of your pain, injury, or impaired performance. With this knowledge, you and your physical therapist at SMC Physicians can work together to improve your functional capacity and enhance your overall quality of life.

Commonly Used Functional Movement Assessments

Functional Movement Screen (FMS) – The FMS is a series of seven movement tests that assess fundamental movements such as squatting, lunging, and reaching. The purpose is to identify any imbalances, weaknesses, or asymmetries in these movements that may contribute to injury or limit performance. By identifying these issues, physical therapists can develop targeted interventions and exercises to address them and improve functional movement patterns.
Y-Balance Test (YBT) – The YBT is a dynamic balance test that evaluates an individual’s reach distance in three different directions. It provides valuable information about an individual’s dynamic stability, proprioception, and overall balance control. Physical therapists often use the YBT to identify deficits in balance and proprioception that may increase the risk of falls or affect performance in sports or daily activities. Based on the results of the YBT, specific balance training exercises can be prescribed to improve these deficits.
Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) – The FGA evaluates an individual’s gait pattern by assessing various components such as the base of support, step length, trunk control, and stability during walking tasks. This assessment helps identify abnormalities or gait asymmetries that may affect an individual’s ability to walk safely and efficiently. Physical therapists can develop interventions such as gait training exercises or assistive devices to improve gait mechanics and enhance functional mobility.

Functional movement assessments are essential tools used in physical therapy to assess and evaluate a patient’s movement patterns. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Y-Balance Test (YBT), and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) provide valuable information about an individual’s movement capabilities, balance control, and gait mechanics, which enable our physical therapists to develop targeted interventions and treatment plans.

Take the first step towards improving your functional abilities and overall quality of life. Discuss these assessments with a SMC Physicians healthcare professional. They can help you understand if physical therapy is the right path for you.

To schedule an appointment with our Physical Therapy team for strengthening and rehabilitating muscles with electric stimulation, please contact SMC Physicians today for your visit.