Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)

The Selective Functional Movement Assessment is a paradigm shift in the assessment and treatment of orthopedic conditions. This assessment is highly recommended and has proven to be successful amongst our patients at Integrated Pain & Joint Care.

The SFMA is a comprehensive movement assessment that our specialists use to categorize movement patterns and direct manual therapy and therapeutic exercise choices. 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 contributes to the associated disability. This concept is known as Regional Interdependence and is the hallmark of the SFMA.

What Does It Entail?

The selective functional movement assessment consists of seven full body movements. These are fundamental movements of life, such as bending forward and squatting. When a non-painful dysfunctional movement is found, the clinician will break down the movement into segment parts and address them individually. Following the intervention, manual therapy (massage), manipulation, mobilization, exercise or drill, the clinician will reassess the progress of the movement.