Selective Functional Movement Assessment
Selective Functional Movement Assessment is a series of tests designed to evaluate a patient experiencing chronic pain. The assessments can identify issues in your movement to pinpoint a root cause. We can then use manual therapy, and corrective exercises to fix the problems
The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is a comprehensive assessment used to classify movement patterns and direct manual therapy and therapeutic exercise interventions. Regional interdependence is the concept that seemingly unrelated impairments in a remote anatomical region may contribute to, or be associated with, the patient’s primary complaint. Often times, patients present with symptoms in certain locations, however, this particular area is not the cause of the symptoms. The SFMA utilizes a movement-based strategy in order to determine any movement pattern dysfunctions that may be contributing to any particular symptoms. There are numerous studies that have linked dysfunction in one area of the body with pain and dysfunction in another area of the body. The most common of these examples include hip impairments that are related to low back pain and thoracic spine impairments related to neck pain. In short, regional interdependence provides the theoretical support to assess and treat a non-affected body part. Rehabilitation professionals are the most highly trained healthcare professionals to function within this model.
The SFMA consists of 10 defined functional movement patterns that are considered top tier patterns. Shoulder a patient report pain during any of these movements, or exhibit “dysfunctional” movements as defined per certain criteria, the patient pattern will be broken into its individual parts, known as pattern breakouts. Utilizing these pattern breakouts, the rehabilitation professional is able to define impairments as either lack of mobility via Tissue Extensibility Dysfunction (TED), Joint Mobility Dysfunction (JMD), or Stability &/or Motor Control Dysfunction (SMCD). Utilizing this information, we can create a therapeutic plan to address all impairments that may be contributing to a patient’s symptoms.
Here at Fox Physical Therapy, our Doctor’s of Physical Therapy are SFMA certified. This allows us to conduct the highest quality, evidence-based approach to developing our patient’s plan of care. To schedule an appointment in Miami or Boca Raton, please call us at 305-735-8901 or click here.
References: SFMA Selective Functional Movement Assessment, Ver 16 ed. : SFMA, LLC; 2016.