CHCA Blog

CHCA has just implemented a new program and a first for Chiropractic offices in Cedar Rapids. It is called Functional Movement Screens or FMS. FMS is for the typical patient as well as the seasoned athlete. The typical patient will benefit from remaining pain free and an increase in activities of daily living. The athlete will benefit from analysis of fundamental movements for an increase in the ability to perform these essential patterns. FMS is a program developed in 1997 by a group of guys including Gray Cook, PT, OCS. The approach takes us to a more integrated and functional approach and incorporating the principles of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), muscle synergy and motor learning. Functional movement is an integral part of the modern discipline of rehabilitation.

FMS is comprised of 7 fundamental movement patterns and is based on stabilizing movements, mobility and basic locomotor patterns. These include the deep squat, hurdle step, in-line lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight leg raise, trunk stability push up and rotary stability quadruped. The screen is then scored on a scale of 0-3…with 0 meaning with pain and 3 is a perfect score. Why are some atheletes “iron-clad” when working out and some are getting hurt??? We need to think of injury prevention, durability ie., efficiency and performance enhancement. We see many risk factors including flexibility, strength, power, balance, previous injury and anatomic alignment. After injury athletes can meet all of the Doc’s parameters for return to play but still be susceptible to injury due to incorrect movement patterns or compensations. It is multifactorial in that injuries can be caused by assymetries and loss of neuromuscular control as well as body size, nutrtion and breathing patterns. This screen will find the weakest link and then we exploit it. Poor movement is a risk factor for both injury and performance. The Indianapolis colts were the first NFL team to use FMS. Players had to reach a certain score to return to play. Now there are many teams seeking FMS certified professionals in all sports. However, as stated previously efficient movements transcend population groups.

Movement starts with the core. Contrary to poular belief the core is not just about the abs. Above your knees and just below the neck actually comprise the core. It includes the anterior and posterior, pelvic floor and diaphragm. We find out where you are leaking energy. There needs to be a balance between mobility and stability, not to mention proprioception. We first go after mobility and when we clear that we address stability issues. Stabilty is not just strength, it is reflex driven. It is under neuromuscular and postural control. Inefficient movements cause compensations which move a joint in an inefficient and unnatural manner. The body will always sacrifice quality for quantity.

Health history is imperative in the FMS program. If you have any pain during the screens we stop that screen and address the issue. We allow patients and atheletes to do only what they can tolerate. Every FMS principle is based on science and is peer reviewed. For more info go to http://functionalmovement.com/.

Christopher A. Bowers, D.C., C.C.E.P.

Cook, G, Burton, L, Hoogenboom, B, Pre-ParticipationScreening:The Use Of Fundamental Movements As An Assessment Of Function Part 1. North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. May 2006: Volume 1, number 2.