Range of Motion

One of the primary means by which I assess someone is through their range of motion. This is often times an oversimplified and underappreciated aspect of physical health. The ability for a patient to achieve their desired level of activity is determined by their capabilities to create motion, and to create motion you need a range to work within.

Motion is a complex topic. It is the primary way by which we interact with the world, and without it, life would literally come to a halt. Your standard, run of the mill, physical therapy clinic will typically assess your range of motion at your first visit, and maybe once or twice more during your episode of care. What if that range is changing and in order to make better decisions we need to monitor those changes more closely? When I go to a tailor, he takes measurements every time I see him, why shouldn’t your physical therapist?

Typically, when a patient is having pain performing some type of activity, there is a limitation in the range of available motion. A change has occurred in the system that is limiting their ability to access a position. Every visit I will assess someone’s range of motion in order to determine what position they are currently in. That is followed by an intervention, and then re-measurement. The only way to determine change is to take measurements, this is the foundation of any experiment.

The interpretation of results, the explanation of them and prediction for future interventions is where the paydirt lies. Taking measurements is crucial, then the work of interpreting those measures and taking action to cause a change is how effective interventions are applied. A patient is incredibly malleable, accessing that ability to change with the intent on getting them back to their desired activity level is the goal.

Austin Ulrich, Physical Therapist