SFMA – Selective Functional Movement Assessment

Physical Therapy Continuing Education Course Description:

This Physical Therapy Continuing Education course is designed for the healthcare professional that routinely treats patients with musculoskeletal conditions across the lifespan. Maintaining or restoring precise movement of specific segments is the key to preventing or correcting musculoskeletal dysfunction. Normal movement is achieved through an adequate balance of mobility and stability to meet the demands of the task at hand. The human system migrates toward predictable patterns of movement in response to injury or in the presence of weakness, tightness, or structural abnormality. An isolated or regional approach to evaluation and treatment will not restore complete function. Functional restoration requires a map of dysfunctional patterns and a working knowledge of functional patterns in order to gain clinical perspective and design effective interventions. This approach is based on the premise that pain and dysfunction occur as a result of impaired patterns of movement. Specific musculoskeletal dysfunction is considered the consequence rather than the cause of faulty movement patterns. Emphasis is placed upon identifying the root cause of the dysfunction rather than source of the symptoms.

The goal of this continuing education course is to present a standardized system used to identify impaired patterns of functional movement. The examination consists of observing functional movement patterns and testing muscle length and strength in relationship to those movement patterns. The examination process then drives therapeutic intervention selection.

The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) will be introduced and participants will learn to utilize key functional movement patterns and describe the critical points during the algorithmic assessment that are used to identify dysfunctional movement. Traditional muscle length, strength, and special tests will be used to help the clinician identify the impairments which are associated with dysfunctional movement. This approach is designed to complement the clinician’s existing exam procedures and incorporate fun, fast, and functional exercise interventions into contemporary rehabilitation programs. The SFMA algorithms should also serve as a feedback system for the effectiveness of the therapeutic exercise program.

This continuing education course combines lecture, demonstration, and extensive lab experience to introduce and demonstrate a model of movement assessment and subsequent therapeutic exercise choices that target dysfunctional movement patterns. All of the information provided is practical, useful, logical, and can be incorporated into clinical practice immediately.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Following the completion of this PT continuing education course, the participant should be able to:

1. Acknowledge the importance of identifying dysfunctional movement patterns.
2. Describe the difference between impairment, dysfunction, and disability.
3. Describe why it is important to assess movement patterns in both the loaded and unloaded positions and how this information can be used to guide intervention.
4. Understand the role of pain provocation during the examination process and appreciate that pain alters motor control.
5. Competently perform the base screen and all portions of the breakouts derived from the base tests.
6. Use the information gained from the SFMA to select key impairments to assess and design appropriate interventions to normalize dysfunctional movement.
7. Link the assessment information to the initial therapeutic exercise strategy and initiate treatment. Integrate the appropriate interventions (manual therapy and functional exercise) into the traditional rehabilitation program to normalize dysfunctional movement.
8. Monitor initial changes in dysfunction and impairment to guide the therapeutic exercise progression.

DAY ONE

08:00-12:00

• Principles And Concepts Of Dysfunctional Movement Impairments
• SFMA Introduction: The Base Screen
  • Integrating movement theory with practice (lecture-lab)
• Reactive Neuromuscular Training
  • Single Leg Stance (lecture-lab)

12:00-01:00 – LUNCH

01:00-05:00

• Review – Selective Functional Movement Assessment
• Isolating Dysfunction With The SFMA
• Break-Out Tests
  • Multi-Segmental Flexion Assessment
  • Breakout with Correction (lecture-lab)
  • Multi-Segmental Extension Assessment
  • Breakout with Correction (lecture-lab)
    • Spine Extension
    • Upper Body Extension
    • Lower Body Extension

DAY TWO

08:00-12:00

• Isolating Dysfunction With The SFMA Break-Out Tests
  • Overhead Deep Squatting Pattern with Correction (lecture-lab)
  • Multi-Segmental Rotation Assessment Breakout with Correction (lecture-lab)
    • Spine Rotation
    • Spine Rolling
    • Hip Rotation
    • Tibia Rotation

12:00-01:00 – LUNCH

01:00-05:00

• Multi-Segmental Rotation Assessment Breakout with Correction (cont.)
• Exercise Program – Progression Design: (Lecture/Lab)
  • Developing a rehab program based on the SFMA
    • -linking the results to exercise.
  • Corrective exercise selection based on the SFMA results
  • Case Studies
• Question and answer wrap up

2011 SFMA Brochure