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Published on January 27, 2023

Comprehensive, certified diagnostic assessment now offered to physical therapy patients at Tidelands Health

Patients seeking relief through physical therapy at Tidelands Health can now benefit from a new, comprehensive diagnostic process that identifies underlying, seemingly unrelated causes of pain.

A physical therapist checks the back of a patient with his arms raised over his head.The Selective Functional Movement Assessment is a highly specialized diagnostic process that systematically finds underlying dysfunctional movements to diagnose – and ultimately better treat – the cause of pain. While therapists routinely assess related areas to the pain during a diagnosis, the comprehensive Selective Functional Movement Assessment of the entire body helps identify seemingly unrelated problems that are driving or contributing to the pain.

For example, a patient being treated for low back pain will also have an overall assessment of the body including hips, upper back and knees to make sure those areas are functioning properly and not contributing to the low back pain. Several Tidelands Health physical therapists have completed a course and passed an exam to earn SFMA certification. SFMA provides specialized techniques so therapists can conduct the most accurate, comprehensive assessment to develop an all-encompassing treatment plan.

“Patients experiencing life-altering pain often understandably focus just on the area that hurts. But the Selective Functional Movement Assessment helps identify dysfunctions in other areas that may be contributing to their pain,” said Pam DiGiovanna, an SFMA-certified physical therapist at Tidelands Health Rehabilitation Services. “SFMA gives us another tool to help our patients achieve the best outcome from physical therapy. Our team is always looking for the latest, most successful therapy tools to help our patients live better lives through better health.”

With 11 locations from Andrews to Conway to North Myrtle Beach, Tidelands Health Rehabilitation Services provides a broad array of outpatient therapy programs to ease pain, gain strength and more. SFMA is available at the locations in Murrells Inlet and Conway.

Learn more at tidelandshealth.org.

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Tidelands Health, in collaboration with MUSC Health, is the region’s largest health care provider, serving the Carolinas at four hospitals and more than 70 outpatient locations. More than 2,500 employee, physician and volunteer partners work side by side with our communities to transform the health of our region – promoting wellness, preventing illness, encouraging recovery and restoring health.