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Functional Movement Systems
About Functional Movement System
The Functional Movement System is a group of tools we use at our office to help identify where the problem is, what we can do to fix it, and what you can do at home to support the process. Dr Wells is certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), Level I & II, Functional Movement Screen (FMS), Level I & II and Y-Balance certified.
SFMA
The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is our clinical assessment for those who experience pain with movement. This movement based diagnostic system will help locate the cause of pain and not just the source of pain. The SFMA breaks down dysfunctional movement patterns that cause pain. Look at it this way; When you go to the hospital for shooting arm pain, the immediate course of action is to check your heart, not your arm. The symptoms down your arm are just a result of a problem elsewhere in the body. Similarly, the SFMA focuses on underlying dysfunctional movement to find the cause of pain, not just the source.
FMS
The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is our tool for standardized movement screening. We evaluate the quality of movement patterns (mobility and stability). It identifies movement patterns that you move well in as well as patterns that are not ideal and need to be corrected. Movement patterns that are not ideal can make you more prone to injury, by adding muscle tension and weakness. FMS was created to gauge balance, stability, and mobility. The FMS equips us with information to develop a specific exercise program specific to your movement patterns. In other words no more guessing what exercises you need. The FMS does not directly measure performance markers like power, strength, and speed, but rather how movement can affect these. The FMS is being used throughout the US in every major sport and by more than 50 professional and college teams.
The FMS will identify weaknesses and asymmetries that increase the likelihood of sustaining a musculoskeletal injury as well as inhibit performance. The number one predictor of injury is a history of a previous injury. However, the next biggest predictor is an asymmetry in movement, strength, or flexibility. What creates these problems? Previous injuries, daily habits/activities, poor training/rehab, mobility/motor control restrictions, movement dysfunctions, soft tissue restrictions. During functional multi-joint movements a relatively stiffer joint or muscle tends to resist movement but function is maintained by another joint by compensating.
The FMS tests 7 basic movement patterns: squatting, stepping, lunging, reaching, leg raising, push up, & rotary stability. The screen takes approximately 30 minutes. The FMS is a standard operating procedure for discharge back into sport/activities. Getting someone out of pain is no longer enough. We must look at movement to ensure success in their return to sport.
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