Faculty Advisor(s)
Brian T. Swanson
Document Type
Course Paper
Publication Date
12-4-2015
Rights
© 2015 Gabriella Goshtigian
Abstract
Background: Despite the multidirectional quality of human movement, common measurement procedures used in physical therapy examination are often uni-planar and lack the functional complexities involved in daily activities. Currently, there is no widely accepted, validated standard to assess movement quality. The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is one possible system to objectively assess complex functional movements. This case report illustrates the application of the SFMA in the management of a patient with non-specific low back pain (LBP). Case Description: An adolescent male athlete with non-specific LBP was evaluated using the SFMA. It was determined that the patient had mobility limitations remote to the site of pain (thoracic spine and hips) which therapists hypothesized were leading to compensatory hypermobility at the lumbar spine. Guided by the SFMA, initial interventions focused on local (lumbar) symptom management, progressing to remote mobility deficits, and then addressing the local stability deficit. Outcomes: All movement patterns became functional/non-painful except the right upper extremity medial rotation-extension pattern which was still short of the standard upon discharge. At discharge, the patient demonstrated increased soft tissue extensibility of the hip musculature and joint mobility of the thoracic spine along with normalization of lumbopelvic motor control. Pain on a 0/10 scale improved from 3/10 at initial examination to a 0/10 at discharge. Discussion: Developing and progressing a plan of care for an otherwise healthy and active adolescent with non-specific LBP can be challenging. Human movement is a collaborative effort of muscle groups that are interdependent; the use of a movement-based assessment model can help identify weak links affecting overall function. The SFMA helped guide therapists to dysfunctional movements not seen with more conventional examination procedures.
Recommended Citation
Goshtigian, Gabriella, "Using The Selective Functional Movement Assessment And Regional Interdependence Theory To Guide Treatment Of An Athlete With Back Pain: A Case Report" (2015). Case Report Papers. 52.
https://dune.une.edu/pt_studcrpaper/52
Comments
The case report poster for this paper can be found here:
http://dune.une.edu/pt_studcrposter/58/