See a Therapist Today to Prevent Tommorrow's Injury

---

What if there was a way to know that you’ll develop chronic neck pain ten years from now? What if there was also a way to know that there’s something you could be doing now to stop it? No, you don’t need a crystal ball, but you do need a physical/occupational therapist.

How you move is a great predictor of injuries and other dysfunctions to come, and no one is better trained to identify your risks than one of our therapists. With the assistance of evaluation tools that analyze your fundamental movements, we can get a clear picture of what the future will bring for you.  Our professionals rely on a number of movement screens, including ones that require certification such as the Functional Movement Screen (FMSTM) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA^TM).

According to research including Pre-Participation Screening: The Use of Fundamental Movements as an Assessment of Function—Part I, it’s valuable to see a physical therapist for a full evaluation and movement screen before beginning a new exercise program, to improve performance in activities you already engage in and to prevent injuries down the line. This injury prevention strategy is universally suitable, not just for athletes.

Our team at A2 Physical Therapy utilizes the FMS and SFMA for both our rehabilitation and athletic divisions.  It is a good indicator of risk related to repetitive use injuries.  The tests help us identify faulty movement strategies and corrective exercises.

The first appointment is critical: It allows our team to establish a baseline, or a way to measure changes—both good and bad—during future appointments. The best way to track those changes is by making a habit of scheduling annual visits with one of our licensed professionals, just as you do with your primary care physician. Remember that chronic neck pain we were talking about? Your therapist is trained to detect the earliest signs of neck dysfunction, address contributing factors, and prevent the problem from growing into a major issue.

The key to effective injury prevention is to return each year for a movement scan. With annual appointments, you’ll get the reassurance that you’re moving your body properly and doing everything you can to stay healthy for many years to come. 

About The Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association

Founded in 1956, the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association champions the success of physical therapist-owned businesses. Our members are leaders and innovators in the health care system. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 85,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students of physical therapy nationwide. For more information, please visit www.ppsapta.org.