Functional movement screening
How does it differ from a traditional physiotherapy session?
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Traditionally physiotherapy assessments have been based around analysing length, strength and range of movement in muscles and joints in order to diagnose a problem that has been causing pain for an individual. A functional movement screen is undertaken normally in the absence of pain or injury and is used to determine areas of weakness or poor flexibility that are likely to result in injury or pain if left untreated.
Whilst traditional physiotherapy assessments give us useful information it does not tell us in detail how somebody moves in the sporting setting. A functional movement screen is sports specific and tells us unique aspects of how an individual moves.
Using a functional assessment allows us as physiotherapists to analyse the control athletes have over their movement. It involves examining the athlete’s performing movements with the entire body (just like in sport) in order to uncover imbalances, weaknesses and asymmetries. Unlike all other modes of assessment, functional screening highlights subtle and often not so subtle defaults with athlete’s co-ordination, balance and control. Through highlighting these issues we can then design a specific and individual programme for each athlete that compliments their training.
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What are the benefits for me?
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Undertaking an event like a marathon is a huge commitment and requires motivation, focus and above all a healthy mind and body. As the training volume increases many athletes have niggles, pain and injuries that result in decreased training volume, poor performance and frustration.
Functional movement screening allows us to appreciate all the ‘under cover’ training faults that lead to poor performance, discomfort and injury, that traditional forms of assessment would fail to pick up.
From the functional screening results, a complete and individual programme can be devised that addresses training errors and allows for improved performance. This will reduce the risk of injury to both recreational and elite athlete.
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The Screening will take approximately 1 hour.