Whether you recognize it or not, your physical therapist is probably analyzing your movement from the moment you walk in the door. While we will ask you several questions about your health, your symptoms and your activities, we glean a great deal of information by simply watching you move. Movement analysis is performed in several different ways depending on what is needed and what equipment is available. Here are some of the ways physical therapists perform movement analyses:

The eyes only: Physical therapists use their eyes to observe how you move. Using evidence-based research on optimal movement patterns and optimal body alignment, we will ask you to perform a motion then watch how you do so. We watch the quality of movement, how much it moves, we look for any symptoms that occur during the movement and compare it to how we would ideally like to see that motion occur. This simple technique gives your therapist a ton of information that will help shape their treatment plan.

Video-assisted: With the emergence of new technology came video technology that can aid in movement analysis. A simple video recording can be utilized (with patient permission) to slow down the movement, repeat the movement, look at it from different angles and give the therapist the opportunity to look at different body segments throughout the motion. This practice can allow the therapist more time to analyze movement without having a patient perform a motion repeatedly.

Video-based movement analysis can also utilize sensors placed on the joints and other reference points to actually measure mechanics like joint angles, torque, acceleration etc. This data can provide an in-depth understanding of how body segments are moving. This quantitative data can be recorded and measured over time. Video analysis with sensors also allows you to immediately quantify the effects of an intervention in real time. For example, a runner may undergo video analysis while running on a treadmill. Their therapist can examine changes in their gait after a course of physical therapy or after simply changing shoes or placing an orthotic in their shoe.

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help with movement related issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

HOW CAN I BENEFIT FROM MOVEMENT ANALYSIS?

Movement analysis is performed to some degree in all patients but you may be wondering how you can benefit from this tool? Here are some important examples of how physical therapists implement movement analysis to benefit a variety of patients and clients:

Performance enhancement: Most competitive and casual athletes are looking to improve their athletic performance. Optimizing power, accuracy, control, strength and speed may be what is needed to take your performance to the next level. A physical therapist familiar with the movements and motions of a particular sport can analyze an athlete’s movement in order to identify areas for improvement. If an athlete is not moving through their full range of motion they may need stretching or mobility work. An athlete that is slow to develop speed when they throw a ball or initiate a sprint may need power work. An athlete that is having trouble with their squat may need strength and mobility work.

Injury prevention: Movement analysis is very important in preventing injuries. When a PT understands what joint motion, soft tissue mobility, motor control, strength, endurance, power, tendon stiffness and muscle length, for example, is needed to perform activities repetitively and safely, they can use this information to help with injury prevention. By analyzing how a patient or client performs a motion, they can compare it to what is optimal and prescribe exercises, treatments or equipment to help prevent future injury.

Return to sport or work: Returning safely to sport and work requires assurance that the body is ready to accept the stresses and forces associated with the sport or job. Physical therapists analyze athlete’s and workers’ movements to identify areas that may still predispose them to re-injury and to help determine when they are ready to return to unrestricted or modified activity levels.

Injury, pain and post-surgical treatment: Any time a patient presents with pain, injury or after surgery, a physical therapist will regularly be analyzing their movements. Initially, movement analysis allows the PT to observe the patient’s comfort level with movement and provides insight into impairments in body structure and function that need to be addressed. It also helps therapists ensure patients are performing exercises correctly. Later on in treatment it assists in prescribing exercises, equipment and strategies to limit recurrence of injury and to determine when a patient is ready to return to unrestricted activity.

To learn more about how the physical therapists at Evolve can help you improve performance, prevent injury and recover from pain, injury or surgery, call to schedule an evaluation today. Your therapist can then answer any further questions you have about how they intend to use movement analysis to enhance your plan of care.