Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)
Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is a comprehensive movement-based evaluation designed to identify how your body moves and where limitations or dysfunctions may be contributing to pain or injury. At Thryve Physical Therapy SFMA helps guide personalized treatment decisions for more effective outcomes.
Understanding SFMA
SFMA is a systematic approach used by clinicians to assess fundamental movement patterns. Rather than focusing only on the site of pain, SFMA examines the body as a whole to determine whether mobility restrictions or stability issues are affecting movement and performance. This assessment helps identify the underlying cause of dysfunction so treatment can be more precise and effective.
How We Use SFMA
At Thryve Physical Therapy SFMA is used as a starting point to understand how your body moves. The findings from the assessment help shape a personalized treatment plan that may include manual therapy, corrective exercises, and advanced techniques when appropriate.
By addressing the root cause of movement limitations, we aim to improve function, reduce pain, and prevent future injury.
What to Expect During the Assessment
Movement Screening
A series of guided movements are performed to evaluate mobility, stability, and coordination.
Breakout Assessments
Identified movement limitations are further examined to pinpoint specific areas of dysfunction.
Clinical Interpretation
Your therapist analyzes the findings to determine the root cause of movement restrictions.
Treatment Direction
Results are used to guide a personalized treatment plan focused on improving movement quality and function.
Who Can Benefit
SFMA is beneficial for individuals experiencing ongoing pain, recurring injuries, or movement limitations that have not fully resolved with traditional care. It is also valuable for active individuals and athletes looking to improve movement efficiency and reduce injury risk.
Why Movement Matters
Understanding how your body moves allows us to treat the cause of dysfunction rather than just the symptoms. SFMA provides a clear roadmap for recovery, performance improvement, and long-term injury prevention.
Move Better, Feel Better
Discover how a detailed movement assessment can help guide your recovery and improve function.