What a functional movement assessment is
Most exams test one joint at a time while you lie on a table. A functional movement assessment adds something different: it watches you perform real movements such as squatting, stepping, lunging, reaching overhead, bending, rotating and balancing on one leg. These are the building blocks of lifting a suitcase, climbing stairs, swinging a golf club or carrying a child.
When a movement looks restricted or uneven, the next step is to figure out why. Is a joint too stiff to reach the position? Are muscles not stabilizing it well enough? Is one side doing far more work than the other? Answering those questions separates a mobility problem from a stability or control problem, and each calls for a different approach.
The result is a short list of priorities rather than a long list of everything that is imperfect. Nobody moves flawlessly, and the assessment focuses on the limitations most likely to relate to your symptoms or goals.
Who an assessment is useful for
You do not need to be an athlete. These are typical situations where a movement assessment adds real value.
- Pain that keeps coming back
- When a sore back, shoulder or knee improves with treatment but returns weeks later, an underlying movement limitation may be part of the reason.
- Returning to activity after an injury
- Once pain settles, it helps to know whether strength, balance and control have actually returned before you go back to running, lifting or sport.
- Desk workers with stiffness
- Long hours of sitting tend to stiffen the hips and upper back. The assessment shows how that stiffness affects squatting, bending and reaching.
- Active adults starting a new program
- Before you begin a new class, sport or training plan, a baseline check can highlight areas to work on first so you start on solid footing.
- Side to side imbalances
- Many people notice one hip, shoulder or ankle feels tighter or weaker. Comparing sides in a structured way helps decide whether that difference matters.
- Older adults focused on independence
- Getting up from a chair, stepping onto a curb and turning to look behind you are functional movements too. Testing them can guide safe, practical exercise.
How the assessment works
Wear comfortable clothing you can move in. The assessment is paced to your ability, and you can skip any movement that causes pain.
Goals and history
Dr. Okhowat asks what you want to be able to do, what hurts, and what injuries or surgeries you have had. This shapes which movements are tested and how far they are pushed.
Movement screen
You perform a series of basic patterns such as a squat, a step, a lunge, overhead reaching, a forward bend, trunk rotation and single leg balance. Each is observed for range, symmetry and control.
Breaking down the findings
Movements that look limited are tested further, often lying down where body weight is removed. If a movement improves without load, control and stability are the likely focus; if it does not, joint or tissue mobility may be.
Plan and recheck
You receive a short list of priorities and a plan that may include joint work, soft tissue therapies and targeted corrective exercises. The same movements are retested later so you can see what has changed.
Why an assessment may help
An assessment does not treat anything on its own. Its value comes from guiding care more precisely.
- May reveal limitations elsewhere in the body that contribute to your pain.
- Can help focus treatment and exercise on the changes most likely to matter for you.
- Provides a baseline so progress is measured rather than guessed.
- May help reduce strain from compensations during sport, work and daily tasks.
- Can support a more confident return to activity after an injury.
Is this right for me?
A functional movement assessment suits people who can move reasonably comfortably and want to understand why pain recurs, prepare for activity, or return after an injury. It is not designed for acute, severe pain or for fresh injuries that need medical evaluation.
If any of the following apply, please see a physician first. Movement testing can be done later once serious causes are ruled out.
Often a good fit
- Recurring aches that improve with treatment but keep returning
- You are recovering from an injury and want to return to sport or training
- One side of your body feels noticeably tighter or weaker than the other
- You want a structured baseline before starting a new activity
See a physician first
- A recent injury with significant swelling, deformity or inability to bear weight
- Chest pain, unusual shortness of breath or lightheadedness with exertion
- Sudden weakness, numbness or loss of coordination
- Back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer
- Recent surgery not yet cleared for exercise by your surgeon
- Loss of bladder or bowel control or numbness in the groin area
If you have any of these, please see a physician or go to urgent care before booking. In an emergency, call 911.
How Dr. Okhowat approaches movement assessment
Dr. Okhowat holds a Doctor of Chiropractic from Cleveland Chiropractic College and has more than 19 years of experience. He uses movement testing to decide where hands-on care will be most useful and where exercise needs to take over, so visits are spent on what matters most for you.
As a Diplomate of the College of Manipulative and Body Based Practices and a Fellow of the American Association of Integrative Medicine, he treats movement quality as one part of overall health. The office on Wilshire Boulevard, a short drive from Beverly Hills and the Fairfax District, makes it practical to return for periodic rechecks.
- DC, Cleveland Chiropractic College
- AAIM Fellow
- AAIM Diplomate, Manipulative and Body Based Practices
- Over 19 years of experience
Dr. Okhowat is amazing. I had never been to a chiropractor like him before. He takes the time to asses your needs and does an incredible job every time.
Questions patients ask
What is a functional movement assessment?
It is a structured evaluation of how you perform everyday and athletic movements, such as squatting, lunging, reaching and balancing. It looks for limitations in mobility, stability or control that may relate to pain or injury risk.
How is this different from a regular chiropractic exam?
A standard exam focuses on specific joints, muscles and nerves, often one area at a time. A movement assessment adds whole-body patterns, showing how areas work together under load. In practice, the two are often combined.
Do I need to be fit or athletic?
No. The assessment is adapted to your current ability. For some people that means athletic movements; for others it means standing from a chair, stepping up and turning. The point is to test what is relevant to your life.
Will the assessment hurt?
It should not. Movements are performed within comfortable limits, and you can stop any test that provokes pain. Noting which movements are uncomfortable is useful information in itself.
How long does it take?
The movement portion is usually part of a longer first visit that also includes history and examination. Exact appointment length can vary, so ask the office when you book.
Can a movement assessment prevent injuries?
No test can predict or prevent every injury. Addressing clear limitations and imbalances may reduce strain on vulnerable areas, and many people find it helps them train and move with more awareness.
How often should I be reassessed?
Rechecks are usually done after a block of care or exercise, so you can see whether priority movements have improved. After that, periodic checks are helpful when your activity level changes or symptoms return.