Dynamic Physical Therapy
Functional Movement Assessment in Cottonwood Heights & Salt Lake City, UT
Functional Movement Assessment in Cottonwood Heights & Salt Lake City, UT: Optimize Your Performance & Prevent Injuries
Discover How Your Body Really Moves
Are you achieving your full potential in sports, fitness, or daily activities? Whether you’re a weekend warrior, competitive athlete, or busy professional, understanding how your body moves is crucial for peak performance and injury prevention. At Dynamic Physical Therapy, our expert-led Functional Movement Assessment reveals the hidden patterns affecting your movement efficiency and athletic potential.
What is a Functional Movement Assessment?
A Functional Movement Assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that identifies movement patterns, imbalances, and limitations affecting your body’s performance and efficiency. Through systematic analysis of your movement during specific activities, our physical therapists uncover the root causes of any dysfunction and create a customized plan to enhance your mobility, strength, and injury resistance.
The Science Behind Movement Analysis
Research shows that 65% of non-contact injuries can be prevented through early identification of movement dysfunctions. Our assessment integrates proven methodologies from:
- Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA)
- Functional Movement Screen (FMS)
Carol Minoughan
I was referred to Dynamic Physical Therapy after surgery on my hamstring. I’ve done PT before but Dynamics is a cut above. Their therapists are so hands on and professional. They design individualized programs that really help build strength and mobility. From the staff at the front desk to every single therapist that works there, they all provide such wonderful, friendly, and personalized support. They were a HUGE part of my journey to getting back to me! I would highly recommend them to anyone.
Alex Henricks
I was referred to Dynamic Physical Therapy for a lower back injury. Ariel Branden was my physical therapist and she was excellent! My objective was to get back to where I was pre-injury but I was ready to make some concessions with how I was working out. When I ran this by Ariel she challenged me and said there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to do what you were doing pre-injury. So, she set the bar higher than I did for my rehabilitation. She did an awesome job of being informative and being able to switch paths without blinking. We tried dry needling for a couple sessions but the feedback I provided her lead her to believe other treatments would be more effective.
Benefits of Functional Movement Assessment
1. Injury Prevention Through Early Detection
- Identifies compensatory movement patterns before they cause pain
- Reveals muscle imbalances that could lead to future injuries
- Provides baseline measurements for tracking progress
- Reduces injury risk by up to 45% when combined with corrective exercises
2. Enhanced Performance Optimization
- Pinpoints limitations holding you back from peak performance
- Improves movement efficiency for better athletic output
- Develops stronger movement foundations for advanced skills
- [Statistical evidence of performance improvements]
3. Personalized Treatment Strategy
- Creates targeted exercise programs based on your unique needs
- Addresses your specific goals and activities
- Establishes clear progression milestones
- Integrates with sport-specific training
What to Expect During Your Assessment
1. Initial Consultation
- Comprehensive review of your health history
- Discussion of your goals and activities
- Analysis of current symptoms or limitations
2. Movement Screening
- Evaluation of fundamental movement patterns
- Assessment of joint mobility and stability
- Analysis of muscle strength and coordination
- Sport-specific movement assessment
3. Results and Planning
- Detailed breakdown of findings
- Visual analysis of movement patterns
- Specific recommendations for improvement
- Creation of personalized treatment plan
Who Benefits from Movement Assessment?
Our assessment serves diverse populations:
1. Athletes & Fitness Enthusiasts
- Improve sports performance
- Enhance training efficiency
- Prevent training-related injuries
2. Active Professionals
- Optimize workplace ergonomics
- Maintain active lifestyle
- Prevent repetitive strain injuries
3. Post-Injury Clients
- Ensure proper movement restoration
- Prevent re-injury
- Build confidence in movement
Meet Your Functional Movement Assessment Team
Matthew Nelson PT, DPT, TPS, AFDNS, AIB Cert – VR
As a Titleist Performance Institute Medical 3 Certified specialist, Matt brings exceptional expertise to functional movement assessments. His background in sports rehabilitation, particularly baseball and golf-specific evaluations, enables him to identify biomechanical inefficiencies and movement compensations with precision. Matt’s advanced training in trigger point dry needling and therapeutic pain specialties allows him to not only assess movement patterns but also address the underlying factors limiting optimal function. His comprehensive approach helps patients achieve improved mobility, stability, and performance in their daily activities and athletic pursuits.
Jessica Bauerkemper PT, DPT, AIB CERT – VR
Jessica combines her expertise as a Certified Pilates Instructor with her orthopedic specialization to deliver thorough functional movement assessments. Her deep understanding of core stabilization, posture, and movement mechanics allows her to identify subtle dysfunctions that may contribute to pain or limited performance. Jessica takes a patient-centered approach to functional assessments, focusing on how movement patterns affect your ability to participate in activities that matter most to you, and develops tailored interventions to restore optimal movement quality.
Anika Jansen, PT, DPT
Anika brings a unique perspective to functional movement assessments with her specialized training in vestibular therapy, balance, and concussion management. She excels at evaluating the neurological components of movement, including proprioception, balance, and coordination. Her comprehensive assessment approach identifies how these factors influence overall movement quality and functional performance. Anika’s background in trail running, hiking, and various outdoor activities enhances her understanding of movement demands across different terrains and activities.
Ciena Lavallee PT, DPT, Cert. MDT
With her certification in The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), Ciena specializes in detailed movement pattern assessments. Her training enables her to precisely analyze how specific movements affect symptoms and functional limitations. Ciena’s experience as a triathlon athlete gives her firsthand insight into movement efficiency and biomechanics across multiple sports. She is particularly skilled at identifying movement compensations and developing targeted strategies to restore optimal movement patterns for improved function and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can benefit from a Functional Movement Assessment?
Anyone looking to improve their movement quality can benefit, including:
- Athletes seeking performance enhancement
- Individuals recovering from injury
- Active adults wanting to prevent future problems
- Fitness enthusiasts looking to optimize their training
What happens during a Functional Movement Assessment?
The assessment typically takes 60-90 minutes and includes:
- Detailed movement analysis using standardized tests
- Sport-specific movement evaluation
- Comprehensive review of findings
- Initial corrective exercise instruction
How is the assessment used to create a treatment plan?
Your assessment results guide the development of a personalized plan that:
- Targets specific movement limitations
- Addresses underlying dysfunction
- Progresses systematically toward your goals
- Integrates with your current activities
Take the First Step Toward Better Movement
Schedule Your Assessment Today
Don’t wait for pain or injury to address movement problems. Take control of your performance and long-term health with a Functional Movement Assessment at Dynamic Physical Therapy.