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Using the Functional Movement Screen

By Andrew Voris

As summer passes I am getting more and more athletes coming in needing help with certain ailments. I am not a doctor or chiropractor but my training methods do help most individuals with their injuries as they may be related to instability and lateral shifting.

Usually there is a breakdown of strength and stability somewhere in the kinetic chain which I can address using the functional movement screen. These days the line between trainers and physical therapists, chiropractors and doctors gets blurred by the style of training available and the knowledge of trainers and the mere fact that corrective movement patterns & functional movement screen helps most individuals with over use compensations.v

Make no mistake about it though, I rely heavily on my circle of caregivers for getting individuals back to the ability to train with me without pain. It is essential that you have a good Physical Therapist, Chiropractor, and M.D. you can go to for injuries and then follow up with a trainer and massage therapist.

If you plan to put your body through high intensity training you need to expect a set back from a physical ailment. Get advice and a functional movement screen from a professional before this happens. Get a fitness assessment which usually means a functional movement screen and get a gait analysis as well as a flexibility assessment. You need to know you're moving correctly or at least how to make improvements.

It is amazing how many adults that run more than 20 mile each week will have at least one injury per year. Wish I had the true number but it is shockingly high.

I once wrote an article for an adventure racing blog about core training and dealing with compensations & how important it was to include in your training program. I got crazy responses from athletes saying they don't do it and don't need it. I'm willing to bet a large percentage of these athletes have now suffered an injury due to instability.

The functional movement screen has become the foundation of my training business. I have used it with NFL athletes, Ultimate Fighters, tennis players, triathletes, and even non athlete clients with great results. Results being pain free movement allowing the individual to compete or function without compensation.

Take advantage of this functional movement screen tool and you will see a huge difference in your abilities to function and play.

About the Author:

Andrew Voris is a NASM certified personal trainer working out of his private office in Glen Ellyn, IL and out of Tri-City Fitness in St. Charles, IL. His websites are www.bodyformpersonaltraining.com & www.tri-cityfitness.com