The Functional Movement Screen (FMS)™
“No pain, no gain” – that’s the mantra of many people dedicated to fitness. However, exercising through pain may mean that you are ignoring an underlying issue, a risk that can make the problem worse and result in having to take more time off later on while you heal from an exacerbated injury.
While some discomfort during activity – for example, when you would rather be sitting on the couch watching TV instead of lifting weights – is normal and necessary for growth, pain is an indication that something is wrong and needs to be corrected. You may simply have incorrect form or technique, or you may have an injury.
Here, Dr. Spillman is performing FMS screening at a local martial arts school. A Functional Movement Screen (FMS)
can help determine which it is and how to fix it. One recent study, noting that “[e]stablishing a valid method of identifying athletes at elevated risk for injury could lead to intervention programs that lower injury rates and improve overall athlete performance,” concluded, “The Functional Movement Screen (FMS)is an efficient and reliable method
to screen movement patterns during the performance of specific tasks.” The study echoes an earlier one that confirmed (FMS)is “able to predict injury
in female athletes.”
During an FMS, you are guided through a series of basic exercises. The screener then assigns a score based on your ability to perform the full range of motions with proper form and without pain.
The lower your FMSscore, the greater your risk for injury. For example, a large study in California demonstrated that firefighters with an FMSscore
of less than 14 (on a scale of 1-24) were injured at a much higher rate and more severely than firefighters that scored above 14.
If you have a low FMSscore – or if any part of the test causes pain – then it is likely that you already have an injury and should see a healthcare provider such as a chiropractor or physical therapist for further evaluation and to develop a treatment plan before engaging in physical activity.
A score below a 14 represents an elevated risk of injury. If you score in the mid-range, you could also benefit from developing a plan with a chiropractor or physical therapist to improve your mobility and stability. In the meantime, you would want to avoid situations that could aggravate an existing issue, such as large group classes at the gym, where you receive little personal attention and correction for improper form. At 14 and above you are likely to be able to perform any exercise without elevated risk of injury, but this is where the performance enhancing comes in. Increasing your score will likely result in improved performance in your sport, in and above any necessary skill training.
A good score means that you can feel free to engage in any activity, knowing you are at low risk for injury.
During a post-FMSvisit, a chiropractor or physical therapist will perform an assessment (based on a Selective Functional Movement Assessment
and a neurological and orthopedic history) to diagnose your injury and create a specialized plan to help you recover.
In addition to assisting with injury recovery, a chiropractor or physical therapist can use post-FMSassessments to identify ways an injury-free athlete can improve their strength and speed.
If you have reached a plateau in your training and aren’t getting faster or stronger no matter how much effort you put in, there could be a functional reason – a relative weakness that could be improved with the right exercises. An FMScan help identify specific areas for improvement, allowing you to focus your hard work on what will make the biggest difference in your performance.
Make an appointment today for a Functional Movement Screen! Dr. Sam Spillman is one of only a few people in Charlottesville to be certified by Functional Movement Systems and is the only FMScertified chiropractor in the area – remember, if you have a low FMSscore, you should see a healthcare provider for an assessment. Dr. Spillman can provide both the FMSand the assessment, if needed. He regularly receives training on using the most up-to-date techniques for evaluating functional movement and creating treatment plans. He will also perform a functional evaluation at the end of your treatment to confirm that you can safely return to activity.
In addition to appointments at his clinic, Dr. Spillman is available to provide on-location screenings at offices and other facilities, including gyms, martial arts schools, sports teams, running clubs, or other fitness studios. Call Dr. Spillman at Balance Chiropractic and Physical Therapy at (434) 293-3800 or email info@balancechiropracticva.com.
