January 20, 2010

The Value of a Functional Movement Screen

I have seen several patients this month already who present with what can only be described as “goofy” symptoms. By this I mean symptoms that don’t seem to add up. For example, yesterday I evaluated a gentleman who’s primary complaint was of non-specific general knee pain that he really had a hard time describing. He had previously had an MRI and x-rays, and has been evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon. The physician found nothing wrong with his knee. Structurally, he is intact and his joint surfaces are good. He is 42 years old.

His painful knee demonstrates slightly more laxity than the uninjured knee when the ACL is stressed, but not enough to account for his complaint. This stress test is not painful or even abnormal. He has no point tenderness, and his meniscus checks out under both compression and with torque.

The functional movement screen identified a few interesting facts:
- He has restriction of his calf length
- He has world class restriction of his hamstrings
- He has restriction of his quads
- His hip Abductions and Adductors are also restricted
- His hip rotators are restricted

The theory we perform a functional movement screen against is this:
You stand on a stable foot
You have a mobile ankle
Stable knee
Mobile hip
Stable core
Mobile T-spine
Stable shoulder girdle
Mobile c-spine

Well this fellow demonstrates restriction of his calf (ankle ROM is functionally less) – which transfers movement demands to his next motion segment – his knee.

His hip is grossly restricted, and while he does have some core instability, it is knee that is painful.

So, there you have it. We picked up several areas of restriction in the functional movement screen that would otherwise not make themselves clear to us in evaluating his knee. The functional screen allows me as the therapist to find a starting point in his rehab. I like to think of the process as a reorienting of the health status “compass” such that the day-by-day movement patterns we teach lead the person to a healthier state over time. Clearly something is wrong with this gentleman’s knee. He went to a surgeon after all, and even after being told that all is well, he still sought my help.

The functional movement screen gives us a starting point. It is the very best evaluation tool I have used in my career. You can read more about this approach here.

January 14, 2010

Haiti – How You Can Help Now

Friends, the devastation in Haiti is mind boggling. I heard it referred to as “Katrina times 1000″. to help right now, Text “Haiti”
to ’90999′ and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red
Cross for relief efforts in Haiti. Cheap and fast! See other ways to
help:

Here are a few links that offer help:
The American Red Cross is accepting donations through their International Response Fund

UNICEF who supports relief for children is accepting donations through their Haiti Earthquake Fund

Operation USA is requesting bulk donations of health care materials, water purification systems and food supplements. You can reach them through their website

The Save the Children Fund is oriented to helping children affected by the earthquake and its aftermath.

The International Medical Corps‘ Emergency Response Team is in Haiti, providing lifesaving medical care and relief to survivors of this devastating earthquake.

You can find other ways to help at the NPR website as well.

Or you can donate through The Clinton Foundation or by texting “Haiti” to 20222

Thanks for your help!!!

January 13, 2010

Do you eat enough fruits and vegetables?

Friends, let me pose a few questions:

The USDA has recommended that we eat between 13 and 17 servings of fruit and vegetables daily for good nutrition

Disease prevention occurs when we eat raw foods. Do you eat 13-17 servings of nutritionally dense raw fruits and vegetables do you eat each day?

The health benefits provided us by eating raw fruits and vegetables accrue when we eat a wide variety of nutritionally dense fruits and vegetables. Considering your diet, how many different raw fruits and vegetables do you eat each day?

Do you already take vitamin or mineral supplements?

How much do you spend per month on these supplements?

The USDA recommends that we consume a wide variety of fruits and vegetables because of the phytonutrient antioxidants that these foods provide us, and the important role that these micro-nutrients play in disease prevention.

Would you like to learn about a convenient and cost-effective way to add the nutritional benefits of raw, vine-ripened fruits and vegetables to your family’s diet every day?


www.neiltakesjuiceplus.com