FUNCTIONAL MOVEMENT SCREEN
Everyday we move. Whether it is from your desk to the restroom, on your Peloton, or walking the dog; we move to accomplish goals. How we move plays a huge role in how we feel. We are constantly told to exercise more, stand more, walk more, do more. However, we rarely are educated on the importance of our movement patterns, mobility, and asymmetries that can affect us later in our life.
An important question to answer is how are you moving? In 2016 alone, $380 billion dollars was spent on low back and neck pain (1). Let’s decrease this number by addressing movement dysfunction before an injury occurs. Gray Cook, the Founder of the Functional Movement Screen, says it best when he says, “move well, before you move often”.
WHY IT MATTERS?
You may be wondering how to know if you are moving well, or maybe you have been thinking that since you don’t have pain you must be moving well. First off, just because you don’t have pain now, doesn’t mean you won’t have pain later. Let’s say it is easier for you to balance on your left leg versus your right leg. This is similar to having misalignment in your car. The car still drives great, but down the line one tire wears faster than the others, or something else starts to malfunction due to the poor alignment in the framework. In order to decrease your risk of injury and optimize your muscle function, it is important to take a deeper dive into how you are moving as a whole. The best place to start is to be assessed by a professional.
THE SCREEN
Going through a movement screen with a professional is beneficial for someone just starting an exercise program or a seasoned powerlifter. Here at STAT we use the Functional Movement Screens to efficiently assess mobility, movement patterns, and check for asymmetries. The screen has been shown to reduce injuries in various populations(2). This screen includes seven tasks that look at your mobility, stability, and motor control. It is a great place to start, especially when beginning your fitness journey, to focus on how you can move better and improve your muscle function. Following the assessment we give recommendations of what to work on and how to optimize your movement.
The test includes three functional movements:
- Deep squat
- Inline lunge
- Hurdle step
Along with four functional movements that look at stability and mobility:
- Active Straight Leg Raise (ASLR)
- Shoulder mobility
- Rotary stability
- Trunk stability push-up
People of any background or fitness level are able to complete these seven moves. Remember prevention is key and MOVEMENT truly is MEDICINE!
Maybe you are curious to learn more about how your body moves? Or you want to be an advocate for your health? Click HERE to book a Functional Movement Screen with our Physical Therapist, Dr. Katelyn Raymond!
