Why Functional Movement Screening Matters — And How I Use It in Rehab Therapy

A silhouette of a person striking a yoga pose against a breathtaking sunrise, framed by the rugged outline of a cave.

At the heart of every effective therapy session is a question: “How is this person moving — and why?”

That’s where Functional Movement Screening (FMS) comes in.

FMS is a simple but powerful tool I sometimes use during initial assessments to understand how your body moves, compensates, and adapts — often in ways you may not be aware of. It helps me look beyond the site of pain to understand the patterns underneath.

What is Functional Movement Screening?

Functional Movement Screening involves a series of basic movements — things like squats, lunges, reaching, and stepping — that help identify:

• Mobility restrictions

• Imbalances between sides

• Poor motor control

• Compensation patterns

  
  

It’s not about judging how “fit” or “flexible” you are — it’s about understanding how your body functions under natural movement loads.

Even small limitations can set the stage for discomfort, injury, or poor performance.

Movements I Assess During an FMS

During a typical screening, I’ll guide you through a short sequence of movements that reveal where your body may be restricted, unbalanced, or compensating. These often include:

• Overhead Squat – to assess core stability, ankle/knee/hip mobility, and thoracic extension

• Inline Lunge – to detect asymmetries and balance issues between left and right

• Active Straight Leg Raise – to check hamstring mobility and pelvic control

• Shoulder Mobility Reach – to assess scapular movement and thoracic spine range

• Trunk Stability Push-Up – for core control and force transfer

• Rotary Stability Test – for diagonal patterning and neuromuscular coordination

• Hurdle Step – to observe single-leg control and stability during stepping

This isn’t about performance or perfection — it’s about pattern. How do you move when things get just a little more complex?

How I Use FMS in My Therapy Sessions

After the movement screen, I use what I see to guide everything that follows. My sessions are rarely just massage or just exercise — they’re an integrative blend of treatment and movement correction.

Depending on your needs, I may incorporate:

• Soft tissue therapy (e.g., deep tissue, myofascial release, trigger point work)

• Corrective exercises that retrain movement patterns

• Breathwork or postural cues to improve control and awareness

• Lifestyle or ergonomic advice to support change outside the clinic

  
  

If your glutes aren't firing properly, your hamstrings might be doing too much work. If your thoracic spine lacks mobility, your shoulders or neck may pay the price. FMS helps me catch these connections early — and work with you to resolve them.

Why It Works

The combination of movement screening, hands-on treatment, and corrective strategies does more than relieve symptoms. It helps:

• Prevent re-injury

• Improve performance in daily life or sport

• Reduce chronic tension and fatigue

• Build confidence in your body’s capacity to heal and adapt

  
  

You don’t need to be an athlete to benefit — this approach works just as well for gardeners, parents, desk workers, or anyone who wants to move better and feel stronger.

Final Thoughts

Functional Movement Screening gives me a clear window into your body’s story — how it’s compensating, protecting, or overworking. From there, we build a therapy plan that’s tailored to your life and goals.

If you’re dealing with persistent pain, recurring injuries, or simply feel “off” in your movement, I’d love to help you explore what your body might be trying to tell you.