That’s where the Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) comes in.
Whether you’re an athlete recovering from an injury or simply wish to understand why your body feels “off,” this guide will walk you through what SFMA is, how it works, and why it’s a game-changer for long-term movement and health.
What Exactly Is SFMA?
The Selective Functional Movement Assessment is a tool utilized by movement professionals such as physical therapists, chiropractors, and biomechanics specialists to assess how your body functions as a complete system. Rather than focusing solely on the painful area, SFMA examines the entire movement chain to identify the true source of the issue.
It’s not about just checking flexibility or strength. SFMA helps identify dysfunctional movement patterns and tells us whether the problem is due to:
- A mobility issue (like tight joints or tissues)
- A stability issue (like poor coordination or motor control)
This whole-body approach helps uncover why you’re moving inefficiently and how to fix it.
The 7 Movement Patterns SFMA Assess
The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) focuses on seven fundamental movement patterns that help identify issues. The key? SFMA searches for the most dysfunctional, pain-free movements, as the real issue often isn’t where the pain manifests.
Here’s a brief overview of the seven patterns:
- Bend (Hinge): Assesses spinal flexion and extension.
- Squat: Evaluates mobility and control in the hips, knees, and ankles.
- Lunge: Tests single-leg balance and stability.
- Push: Looks at upper body control during pressing movements.
- Pull: Assesses functional strength and control in pulling motions.
- Twist: Evaluates how well your spine rotates and stabilizes.
- Gait: Analyzes how efficiently and safely you walk or run.
By testing these patterns, SFMA helps identify underlying movement issues, even those unrelated to your primary complaint. It’s a smarter, full-body approach to understand how you move and what needs to change.
SFMA Finds What Other Tests Miss
The Selective Functional Movement Assessment goes beyond your typical flexibility or strength tests. You might have excellent flexibility, but still move in a dysfunctional way. That’s where motor control comes in: your body’s ability to coordinate and stabilize muscles as you move.
Here are a few examples:
- Your hamstrings feel tight, but it’s actually poor hip stability causing them to overwork.
- You’ve got shoulder pain, but it’s really your upper back or ribcage that isn’t moving properly.
- Your knees hurt when you squat, but limited ankle mobility is forcing your knees into awkward positions.
- You constantly roll your ankles while running, but your weak core and hip control are throwing off your balance.
SFMA helps uncover these hidden dysfunctions, so instead of chasing symptoms, you can finally fix the real issue.
Is SFMA Right For You?
If you’ve been searching for real answers about your pain, movement, or recovery, the Selective Functional Movement Assessment might be exactly what you need.
SFMA is helpful if:
- You have chronic pain or discomfort that keeps coming back
- You’ve tried stretching, strengthening, or even therapy, but nothing sticks
- You feel “off” in your posture or movements, but can’t explain why
- You’re recovering from an injury and want to avoid future setbacks
It’s also a fantastic way to prevent injuries before they start by identifying movement issues early.
SFMA vs. FMS: What’s the Difference?
You may have heard of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), a popular tool that trainers and coaches use to evaluate movement quality. The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) comes from the same system, but it serves a distinctly different purpose.
- FMS targets active individuals without pain, identifying movement inefficiencies that may cause future injuries, particularly in athletes or those training for performance.
- SFMA is meant for people who are currently dealing with pain or dysfunction. It’s a diagnostic tool that digs into the root cause of that pain by looking at how the body moves as a whole.
A simple way to remember it:
- FMS = Screening (great for injury prevention and performance)
- SFMA = Assessment (essential when pain or problems are already present)
Both are valuable; however, SFMA is essential when something doesn’t feel right and you want to understand why. It provides your practitioner with the insight needed to create a plan that is not only reactive but also restorative.
What Happens After the Assessment?
After completing the Selective Functional Movement Assessment, your practitioner will know:
- Which patterns are dysfunctional
- Whether the issue is caused by mobility or stability limitations
- What areas of the body need to be retrained or supported
From there, they can create a personalized plan to address your movement dysfunctions through hands-on therapy, corrective exercises, or training tailored to your unique needs.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Guess, Assess
The human body is complex, and pain doesn’t always manifest at the source of the issue. The Selective Functional Movement Assessment provides a more effective method for determining why your body isn’t moving or feeling as it should.
If you’re tired of quick fixes or pursuing pain without genuine answers, SFMA provides a clear, structured approach to understanding your movement and enhancing it for the long term.
Ready to Understand Why Your Body Feels Off?
Whether you’re experiencing pain, recovering from an injury, or looking to move more efficiently, a Selective Functional Movement Assessment might be the missing link. It’s the initial step toward long-term relief, improved movement, and enhanced performance.
Get a personalized assessment built around your body.
