1. Do clinicians travel from outside Brisbane to attend?

Yes. Clinicians regularly attend SFMA courses from across Southeast Queensland including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Northern NSW. Brisbane provides a central location that allows easy travel from these regions.

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2. What is the SFMA and how is it different from other assessment systems?

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The Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA) is a clinical movement diagnostic system designed for patients with pain. Unlike general movement screens, SFMA helps clinicians systematically identify whether movement limitations are caused by mobility restrictions, motor control issues, or pain. This allows you to move beyond treating symptoms and instead identify the underlying drivers of dysfunction.

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3. Who is the SFMA Level 1 course designed for?

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SFMA Level 1 is designed for clinicians who assess and treat musculoskeletal pain and movement dysfunction. Participants typically include physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, sports physicians, athletic trainers, and rehabilitation professionals who want a clearer framework for evaluating movement in painful patients.

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4. Do I need prior experience with Functional Movement Systems to take SFMA Level 1?

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No prior certification is required. SFMA Level 1 teaches the entire assessment framework from the ground up and shows how to integrate it into everyday clinical practice.

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5. How will the SFMA change my clinical practice?

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Many clinicians report that SFMA gives them a clear diagnostic roadmap when patients present with complex or persistent pain. Instead of guessing which treatment approach to use, the system helps determine whether the primary issue is mobility, motor control, stability, or pain, guiding more targeted treatment and rehabilitation strategies.

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6. Is the course practical or mainly theoretical?

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SFMA Level 1 is highly practical. Most of the course is spent learning and performing the assessment on other participants, interpreting the findings, and understanding how to progress toward treatment strategies. By the end of the course, clinicians typically feel confident integrating the system into their next clinical session.

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7. I already assess movement and treat athletes — will SFMA add anything new?

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Yes. Most clinicians already assess movement, but the challenge is linking what you see to a clear clinical decision. SFMA provides a structured diagnostic framework that helps you determine whether a movement limitation is driven by mobility restriction, motor control deficit, or pain, allowing you to select treatment strategies more precisely.

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8. Is SFMA only useful for athletes?

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No. While it is widely used in sport, SFMA was designed for any patient presenting with pain and movement dysfunction. Clinicians commonly apply it to neck pain, shoulder problems, lumbar pain, hip dysfunction, and persistent musculoskeletal complaints where the source of symptoms is not immediately clear.

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9. How does SFMA fit with manual therapy or other techniques I already use?

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SFMA does not replace your current treatment methods. Instead, it helps determine when and where to apply them. Many clinicians find that the system improves their clinical reasoning by clarifying whether a patient needs mobility restoration, motor control training, or symptom modification, making manual therapy and exercise prescription more targeted.

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10. Will I be able to use SFMA immediately in clinic?

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Yes. The course is structured so that participants learn the full assessment and interpretation process step-by-step. Most clinicians begin using elements of the SFMA in their next clinical session, particularly when assessing patients with recurrent or persistent movement-related pain.

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11. Who typically attends the SFMA Level 1 course?

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Participants are usually physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, sports physicians, strength and conditioning coaches, and rehabilitation professionals working with musculoskeletal injuries. Many attend because they want to improve their movement assessment and diagnostic reasoning when treating complex or recurring cases.

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12. Is SFMA taught in healthcare education programs?

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Yes. The SFMA movement diagnostic system is taught in several healthcare education environments internationally. In the United States, chiropractic universities such as Logan University, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Cleveland University–Kansas City, and Parker University include SFMA concepts in clinical education or elective courses.

For many clinicians, learning SFMA provides access to the same movement diagnostic framework being taught in these programs.

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13. Is SFMA used in physical therapy and sports medicine environments?

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Yes. While SFMA is rarely a named course in Doctor of Physical Therapy programs, sports and orthopedic faculty frequently use SFMA concepts in continuing education, sports residencies, and clinical practice. Clinicians working in sports rehabilitation environments commonly use movement assessment frameworks such as SFMA and FMS to guide treatment decisions.

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14. Why do many clinicians learn SFMA after graduation?

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Most healthcare programs teach orthopedic examination and movement analysis, but clinicians often find that linking those findings into a clear diagnostic pathway can be challenging. SFMA provides a structured framework that helps clinicians determine whether movement limitations are driven by mobility restriction, motor control deficit, or pain, which is why many professionals pursue SFMA through continuing education.

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15. Why do clinicians from different professions attend the same SFMA course?

 

One of the strengths of SFMA is that it provides a common diagnostic language for movement dysfunction. Courses often include clinicians from multiple professions—physiotherapy, chiropractic, athletic training, and sports medicine—creating valuable discussion around how movement assessment can guide treatment decisions across different clinical settings.

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16. What certification do I receive after completing SFMA Level 1?

Upon successful completion of the course and exam, participants receive SFMA Level 1 certification through Functional Movement Systems (FMS). This internationally recognised credential confirms that you can perform and interpret the SFMA assessment and apply its diagnostic framework in clinical practice.

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