Fitness is about more than lifting weights or running long distances; it’s about how well your body moves and functions in daily life. In recent years, functional movement physical therapy has emerged as a revolutionary approach to exercise and fitness.
At Laws of Motion in Scottsdale, AZ, we focus on functional movement training that improves your body’s natural movements, helps prevent injury, and enhances overall performance. By incorporating physical therapy techniques into fitness routines, we help clients achieve optimal movement patterns and improve their ability to perform everyday tasks.
What is Functional Movement Physical Therapy?
Functional movement physical therapy is an approach that focuses on improving how your body moves during everyday activities, whether it’s lifting a heavy object, bending down, or walking up the stairs. This form of therapy goes beyond traditional exercise by emphasizing the connection between different parts of the body and how they work together to create efficient, pain-free movement.
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At Laws of Motion, we use functional movement assessments to identify any mobility restrictions, muscle imbalances, or poor movement patterns that may be limiting your performance or leading to injury. From there, we create personalized treatment plans that incorporate strength training, mobility work, and corrective exercises to improve overall movement quality.
Benefits of Functional Movement Physical Therapy
Functional movement physical therapy provides a wide range of benefits for individuals looking to improve their fitness and movement efficiency. Whether you’re an athlete, a weekend warrior, or simply want to move better in everyday life, functional movement therapy can help you achieve your goals.
1. Improving Movement Efficiency
One of the primary goals of functional movement physical therapy is to improve movement efficiency. This means training your body to move more effectively and with less effort. By focusing on functional exercises that mimic real-life movements, such as squatting, lunging, or lifting, we help clients improve their overall coordination and balance.
2. Preventing Injuries
Many injuries, both in sports and daily life, are the result of poor movement mechanics or muscle imbalances. Functional movement therapy helps identify and correct these issues before they lead to injury. By strengthening weak muscles, improving flexibility, and addressing movement limitations, we help clients reduce their risk of injury during exercise and everyday activities.
3. Enhancing Athletic Performance
Functional movement physical therapy is especially beneficial for athletes looking to improve their performance. By focusing on the body’s natural movement patterns, we help athletes improve their speed, agility, and power, all while reducing the risk of injury. Whether you’re a runner, swimmer, or tennis player, functional movement therapy helps you move more efficiently and perform at your best.
How Functional Movement Physical Therapy Works
At Laws of Motion, we begin each client’s journey with a comprehensive Functional Movement Screen (FMS). This assessment helps us identify any limitations or weaknesses in your movement patterns. Based on the results of this assessment, we create a customized functional movement physical therapy program designed to address your specific needs.
Functional Movement Screen (FMS)
The FMS is a series of seven movement tests that evaluate mobility, stability, and balance. Each movement is scored, allowing us to pinpoint areas that need improvement. This screen helps us understand how well your body moves as a whole and where there may be weaknesses or imbalances.
Corrective Exercises and Strength Training
Once we’ve identified the areas that need work, we design a program that includes corrective exercises to improve movement quality. These exercises focus on building strength, stability, and flexibility in the muscles that support efficient movement. We also incorporate functional strength training, which involves exercises that mimic everyday movements and help clients move better in real-life situations.
Mobility and Flexibility Work
Improving mobility and flexibility is a key component of functional movement physical therapy. We incorporate stretching and mobility exercises into our programs to help clients move more freely and with less discomfort. By improving joint mobility, we ensure that clients can perform exercises and daily tasks with ease and without strain.
Why Functional Movement Matters
Functional movement matters because it directly impacts how well you can perform in everyday life. Whether you’re an athlete looking to improve performance or an individual seeking to stay active and injury-free, functional movement is essential to long-term health and fitness.
1. Performing Everyday Tasks with Ease
Functional movement therapy helps clients improve their ability to perform everyday tasks, such as bending, lifting, or reaching. By training the body to move more efficiently, clients can complete these tasks with less effort and discomfort, making daily life easier and more enjoyable.
2. Reducing Chronic Pain
Many people experience chronic pain as a result of poor movement patterns or muscle imbalances. Functional movement physical therapy helps correct these issues, reducing pain and improving overall function. Clients who suffer from chronic back pain, knee pain, or shoulder pain often find relief through functional movement therapy.
3. Staying Active and Independent
As we age, maintaining mobility and function becomes increasingly important for staying active and independent. Functional movement therapy helps clients build strength, flexibility, and balance, allowing them to continue participating in activities they enjoy, whether it’s hiking, gardening, or playing sports.
Functional movement physical therapy is transforming the way we think about fitness and exercise. At Laws of Motion in Scottsdale, AZ, we focus on improving the way your body moves, ensuring that you can perform at your best while staying injury-free. Whether you’re an athlete or simply looking to improve your everyday movement, our personalized functional movement programs can help you achieve your goals.
Ready to improve your movement and enhance your fitness? Contact Laws of Motion in Scottsdale, AZ, today to schedule your Functional Movement Screen and start your journey to better movement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is functional movement physical therapy?
Functional movement physical therapy is a type of physical therapy that focuses on improving movement patterns and enhancing the body’s natural movements. It helps individuals move more efficiently and prevent injuries.
Who can benefit from functional movement therapy?
Anyone can benefit from functional movement therapy, from athletes looking to improve performance to individuals who want to move better in daily life. It is especially beneficial for those dealing with mobility restrictions, muscle imbalances, or chronic pain.
How does a Functional Movement Screen (FMS) work?
The FMS is a series of seven movement tests that evaluate your mobility, stability, and balance. It helps physical therapists identify areas that need improvement and create personalized treatment plans based on the results.
Can functional movement therapy help with chronic pain?
Yes, functional movement therapy is highly effective for reducing chronic pain. By addressing the root causes of poor movement patterns or muscle imbalances, functional movement therapy helps relieve pain and improve overall function.
Do I need a referral for physical therapy in Scottsdale, AZ?
Not with us!
