• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Active Chiropractic

Sport Chiropractic, ART, Massage just outside of Richmond, VA

  • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Active Release Technique
    • Chiropractic
    • Graston
    • Dry Needling
    • Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)
    • Sports and Spinal Rehab
    • Kinesio Taping
    • Whole Body Cryotherapy
    • NormaTec Recovery System
  • Video Library
  • News
  • Contact
  • New Patients
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Aug 03 2016

Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)

We are happy to offer access to the 12 week transformation tool. See more about the program here

The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is a series of 7 full-body movement tests designed to assess fundamental patterns of movement such as bending and squatting in those with known musculoskeletal pain. When the clinical assessment is initiated from the perspective of the movement pattern, the clinician has the opportunity to identify meaningful impairments that may be seemingly unrelated to the main musculoskeletal complaint, but contribute to the associated disability. This concept, known as Regional Interdependence, is the hallmark of the SFMA. The assessment guides the clinician to the most dysfunctional non-painful movement pattern, which is then assessed in detail. This approach is designed to complement the existing exam and serve as a model to efficiently integrate the concepts of posture, muscle balance and the fundamental patterns of movement into musculoskeletal practice. By addressing the most dysfunctional non-painful pattern, the application of targeted interventions (manual therapy and therapeutic exercise) is not adversely affected by pain. SFMA offers doctors and physical therapists a new approach to the treatment of pain and dysfunction. Our standardized clinical model ensures isolating the cause of injury and efficient care.

Clinical Application

Once Clinical Predictive Rules and diagnosis-specific techniques are exhausted, applying the SFMA model will allow for individualized exercise prescription and progression, which encompasses the concept of regional interdependence. As musculoskeletal system experts, it is essential that healthcare providers understand the relationships between body segments and how impairments in one body region may adversely affect function of another body region. Approaching therapeutic exercise prescription from a movement perspective model allows the concepts of muscle imbalance and regional interdependence to be addressed in a logical, methodical manner. Modeled after Cyriax’s selective tissue testing, each test of the SFMA is scored as functional/non-painful, dysfunctional/non-painful, functional/painful or dysfunctional/painful. The goal for the clinician is to identify the most dysfunctional non-painful movement pattern and break the pattern down to identify the underlying cause of the dysfunction. This includes using traditional muscle length and joint assessment tests which lead to corrective manual therapy and exercise interventions. Emphasis is placed on identifying the most dysfunctional patterns. The model calls for the intervention to be directed only at the non-painful patterns. This ensures that the adverse effects of pain on motor control will not hinder corrective strategies.

Considering Patterns of Movement

Normal movement is achieved through the integration of fundamental movement patterns with an adequate balance of mobility and stability to meet the demands of the task at hand. The human system will migrate toward predictable patterns of movement in response to pain or in the presence of weakness, tightness, or structural abnormality. Over time, these pain-attenuated movement patterns lead to protective movement and fear of movement, resulting in clinically observed impairments such as decreased ROM, muscle length changes, and declines in strength. An isolated or regional approach to either evaluation or treatment will not restore whole function. Functional restoration requires a working knowledge of functional patterns and a map of dysfunctional patterns to gain clinical perspective and design an effective treatment strategy. Pain-free functional movement for participation in occupation and lifestyle activities is desirable.

Many components comprise pain-free functional movement including adequate posture, ROM, muscle performance, motor control, and balance reactions. Impairments of each component could potentially alter functional movement resulting in or as a consequence of pain. Utilizing the SFMA, the clinician is able to identify key functional movement patterns and describe the critical points of assessment needed to efficiently restore functional movement. This approach is designed to complement the clinician’s existing exam and intervention model with the prescription of movement based therapeutic exercise. The SFMA serves to efficiently integrate the concepts of posture, muscle balance and the fundamental patterns of the movement system into musculoskeletal practice. Additionally, it provides feedback for the effectiveness of the therapeutic exercise program, which targets the dysfunctional movement pattern and related impairments.

We are happy to offer access to the 12 week transformation tool. See more about the program here

Written by Active Chiropratic · Categorized: Services

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Active Chiropractic

Dr. Robert Green is committed to bringing you better health and a better way of life by teaching and practicing the true principles of modern chiropractic care.

Services

  • Active Release Technique
  • Chiropractic
  • Graston
  • Dry Needling
  • Massage
  • Kinesio Taping
  • Sports and Spinal Rehab

Hours

Day
Hours
Monday
7:30am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday
7:30am - 1:00 pm
Wednesday
7:30am - 5:00 pm
Thursday
7:30am - 1:00 pm
Friday
7:30am - 1:00 pm

Location

2900 Polo Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23113
Phone: 804-560-9355
Fax: 804-560-9360
Email Us

Map

Come visit us at our convenient location in the Southside of Richmond just north of the Huguenot and Robious intersection.

Click to open a larger map

Footer

About Us

Active Chiropractic

Dr. Robert Green is committed to bringing you better health and a better way of life by teaching and practicing the true principles of modern chiropractic care.

2900 Polo Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23113
Phone: 804-560-9355
Fax: 804-560-9360
Email Us

Recent Posts

Movement is Medicine

October 24, 2020

T-Shirt of the Week!

October 23, 2020

SpeakUp 5k

September 18, 2020

New Looks in the Office

March 10, 2017

Services

  • Active Release Technique
  • Chiropractic
  • Graston
  • Dry Needling
  • Massage
  • Kinesio Taping
  • Sports and Spinal Rehab

Location

Our office is conveniently located in the Southside of Richmond just north of the Huguenot and Robious intersection.

2900 Polo Parkway
Midlothian, VA 23113

Get Directions

Copyright © 2021 · Active Chiropractic · All Rights Reserved · Website Development by Concept168