The Functional Movement Screen

The FMS is a ranking and grading system that documents movement patterns that are key to normal function. By screening these patterns, the FMS readily identifies functional limitations and asymmetries.

The FMS evaluates efficient vs. inefficient movement patterns:

Efficient movement patterns: Performance and skill level achieved to desirable levels with reduced chance of injury.
Inefficient movement patterns: Increased risk for injury with skill and performance not maximized.

• Low Back Pain
• Hip Pain
• Knee Pain
• Ankle Pain
• Heel Pain
• Foot Pain
• Leg Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Neck Pain
• Elbow Pain
• Wrist Pain
• Hand Pain

Improving inefficient movement patterns means determining the deficiencies. Improvement comes from introducing the brain to more efficient movement patterns to improve and balance the movement sequences through neuromuscular re-education.

Why? Because Motion is Life!

The 7 Functional Movement Screen consists of:

• Deep Squat – Demonstrates fully coordinated extremity mobility and core stability, with the hips and shoulders functioning in symmetrical positions.
• Incline Lunge – Quick appraisal of left and right functions with a component of deceleration movements and direction changes required in many sports.
• Hurdle Step – Exposes compensations or asymmetry in stepping functions, challenges the body’s step and stride mechanics while testing stability and control in a single leg stance.
• Shoulder Mobility – Demonstrates the natural rhythm of the mid and upper back, rib cage, and upper extremity shoulder movements.
• Active Straight Leg Raise – Demonstrates the active mobility of the flexed hip, core stability, and available hip extension of the opposite hip.
• Trunk Stability Pushup – Observes the reflex core stabilization and is not a test or measure of upper-body strength.
• Rotary Stability – Observes multi-plane pelvis, core, and shoulder stability during combined supper and lower-extremity movement. Demonstrates reflex stabilization and weight shifting in the transverse place and represents the coordinated efforts of mobility and stability observed in fundamental climbing patterns.