Three Dimensional Movement Analysis and Performance System (3DMAPS)
Most people are familiar with, and consult their physician for a yearly physical. These physicals performed by physicians, PA’s, or nurse practitioners will often be preformed in the absence of the patient being sick or injured. They will often yield results that help to direct the patient’s health and well-being. As physical therapists, we are highly trained to perform movement screens or a “movement physical exam”. This helps us obtain information about a patient’s functional imbalances, as well as, serve as a foundation of revealing where a patient’s successful movement patterns already exist.
The Screen
3DMAPS (Three Dimensional Movement Analysis and Performance System), established by the Gray Institute, is an innovative, effective, and comprehensive approach that enables the therapist to gain invaluable information on a patient’s ability to move or where they are most limited. Our bodies function as a complex interaction of multiple joints, bones, and muscles moving in multiple planes of motion. This movement screen gives the therapist the data/information needed to advise the patient on the specific body regions that need attention. The movement screen will help show specific limitations in the hips, ankles, spine, or shoulder blades that can often lead to overuse injuries in golfers, runners, or fitness enthusiasts. Once these successful and problem areas are identified, an individual exercise prescription will be provided. The therapist will use this data, in conjunction with the person’s past medical history and specific goals, to provide a road map to success. These prescribed exercises can also help prevent issues like patella tendinitis, low back pain, hip pain, Achilles tendinitis, shoulder pain/impingement, etc.
Call FPC
All three of the physical therapists here at the Functional Performance Center (FPC) are certified through the Gray Institute, in 3DMAPS. Give us a call now to schedule your movement screen (movement physical exam). You will benefit from this screen, even if you are not currently having any problems.
