Functional movement screening (FMS) is a series of physical tests that measure how well you perform particular movements. Two physical therapists created it in 1997 to measure types of movements that certain physically active people—firefighters, police officers, military personnel and elite athletes—couldn’t perform well. The results identified the movement deficits that could set them up for injury. FMS is now used to evaluate movement deficits in the middle-aged and elderly.
Everyone at the office of The Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Center empathizes with our patients’ physical discomfort and challenges. Our supportive and understanding environment during their journey fosters their well-being and determination to achieve their goals.
FMS measures fundamental movement patterns in mobility and stability imbalances, to which older individuals are susceptible. It also identifies adverse patterns that must be protected and corrected. A physical therapist will then use the results to develop a program of corrective exercises that will help inhibit musculoskeletal injuries. He (or she) will be equipped with information to make programming decisions with precision and purpose.
Age-related loss of muscle mass, balance and gait problems, and a precipitous drop in blood pressure while arising from lying down or sitting are notorious risk factors for falls that result in head injuries and broken bones.
A hip fracture is an especially distressing incident. It can reduce independence and sometimes shorten life. About 50 percent of people with a broken hip can’t regain the ability to live independently. When hip fractures prevent movement over a long course of recovery, complications can include pneumonia bedsores, blood clots in the legs or lungs, and further loss of muscle mass.
Your journey into improved movement begins at the office of The Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Center. We stay current with the latest research and advancements in the field of physical therapy. Please call us today for an appointment to find out how we can improve your quality of life.