It’s all about those connections. You might not think an ankle injury can cause problems with your lumbar spine, but you would be wrong. Studies show that our bodies are ‘regionally interdependent’ – which means that injuries in one area of the body can and do impact on seemingly unrelated areas.
Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is a new way of assessing a patient and developing treatment and exercise plans that take this ‘regional interdependence’ into account.
Because we are all about giving our patients the best treatment we can provide, Charbel recently undertook some SFMA training. So, what does dem bones connecting mean?
What is SFMA?
Selective Functional Movement Assessment is a comprehensive assessment that can be used by Chiropractors to classify movement patterns to determine treatment and exercise plans.
SFMA works on two key principles. Firstly, every body is different, and movement patterns are subtly unique. – no two bodies move the same. Secondly, the body is regionally interdependent. In other words, each moving part of the body affects the others, even when they are not directly connected.
It then follows that when an injury occurs, movement of the entire musculoskeletal system is affected. Natural patterns are altered to compensate for pain and immobility, creating dysfunction and compensation. In many cases, even when the injury is healed, the body continues to ‘compensate’, creating an ongoing change in the pattern of movement. This change can cause problems in other parts of the musculoskeletal system.
How Does it Work?
Using the principles of SFMA Chiropractors assess the movement of the whole body, and develop treatment and exercise plans that specifically respond to the individual patterns of each patient. The movement of the patient is used to determine the most efficient effective path to resolution of pain and reduced mobility.
Who Can It Help?
Anyone who has had an injury can be helped by SFMA. Previous injury is the single most powerful factor in prediction of future injury, so resolving any issues relating to injuries is vitally important. Even if the injury has healed, the body may still be compensating, putting the injured area at increased risk. Many studies have shown that injuries in one area – the ankle for example – impact on the activation and function of muscles not directly attached, such as the gluteus. This can cause a muscular or skeletal imbalance, contributing to a likelihood of future injury.
By using SFMA our practitioners can assist in restoring the natural movement of patients and reduce the risk of future injury due to changes in musculoskeletal movement and ensure those thigh bones connected to the knee bones are in good working order.
If you have had an injury and would like to know more about how SFMA might help you get dem bones connecting better, call Precision Health Spine & Sports Clinic on 9639 7337 for an appointment.
