Assess, don’t Guess
The Purpose of a Movement Screen for Massage Therapists
While movement screening is more commonly associated with physical therapists or trainers, it offers distinct, valuable benefits when integrated into massage therapy, as long as it stays within the scope of practice. Here are the key benefits to incorporating a movement screen into practice:
To Identify Movement Dysfunction Related to Pain or Discomfort
Many clients come in with vague complaints like “tight hips” or “stiff shoulders.” A movement screen helps pinpoint which areas aren’t moving well and whether the issue stems from mobility, motor control, or compensation. This guides the therapist to address the true source of dysfunction, not just the painful area.
To Improve Clinical Reasoning and Treatment Precision
Movement assessments can help determine which myofascial areas are restricted, which joints lack adequate mobility, and whether instability or poor coordination is present.
This narrows down what techniques to use (e.g., MET vs. deep tissue vs. myofascial release), leading to more effective and intentional sessions.
To Track Progress Over Time
By re-screening movements at follow-up visits, therapists can visually and functionally demonstrate improvements in range of motion or movement quality. This builds trust, improves retention, and shows clear value in your work and expertise.
To Differentiate and Elevate Massage Therapy Practice
A structured assessment process helps massage therapists stand out as movement-informed practitioners who don’t just treat symptoms but understand patterns of dysfunction. This boosts professionalism, especially in settings like sports massage, rehab, or orthopedic clinics.
To Stay Within Scope While Maximizing Impact
A screen doesn’t require diagnosis; it simply helps you observe how someone moves and where their body might need support. It’s a functional guide, not a diagnostic tool, and perfectly appropriate when used to inform soft tissue work. Additionally, regular assessment can help you decide when it's time to refer the client to another allied health professional.
To Support Client Education and Self-Care
When clients can see that a movement is limited or asymmetrical, they’re more likely to buy into the treatment process, comply with at-home recommendations, and understand the “why” behind your techniques.
Simple Analogy
“Think of a movement screen like a map: it shows you where the traffic jams are. As a massage therapist, you can’t rebuild the roads, but you can ease the congestion and help things flow better.”
How to assess, and stay in scope of practice:
A Screen is not a Diagnosis
A movement screen is not a diagnostic tool and should never be used to identify or label a medical condition. Instead, it is an observational process used to gather information about how a client moves, where restrictions or imbalances may exist, and how those patterns might relate to discomfort or dysfunction. For massage therapists, the purpose of a movement screen is to guide treatment decisions within the scope of soft tissue therapy, helping determine which muscles or fascial lines may be tight, underactive, or compensating.
Unlike a medical diagnosis, which identifies the specific pathology behind a symptom (such as a torn rotator cuff or herniated disc), a movement screen simply highlights functional limitations without attributing them to a clinical condition. It’s essential that massage therapists utilize movement assessments to refine bodywork strategies, rather than assuming the role of a diagnostician. When red flags or complex symptoms arise, appropriate referral to a licensed medical provider is always necessary.
Language Matters
When conducting a movement screen, massage therapists should use language that is observational, non-diagnostic, and client-centered to remain within the scope of practice and maintain professionalism. Rather than labeling a condition or suggesting a medical issue, therapists should focus on describing what they see and feel in functional, non-clinical terms.
For example, instead of saying, “You have a shoulder impingement,” which is a diagnosis, it’s more appropriate to say, “I noticed that your shoulder doesn’t move as freely overhead on the right side compared to the left.” This kind of language is descriptive rather than prescriptive. Similarly, avoid medical terminology like “torn,” “herniated,” or “neuropathy,” unless quoting a diagnosis already provided by a healthcare provider.
Use terms like:
“limited range of motion”
“reduced control or stability”
“tightness or resistance during movement”
“asymmetry between sides”
“compensatory pattern”
“You seem to avoid this motion, possibly due to discomfort.”
It’s also important to frame the screen as an observational tool, not a test. For example, say: “Let’s look at how you move through a few positions to help guide today’s session.”
After the assessment, a therapist might say:
“Based on what I saw, it seems like there’s some limited mobility in your hips that may be contributing to the way you move. During the session, I’ll focus on those areas and see if we can improve your comfort or ease of motion.”
Always be clear that your role is to observe and support movement through soft tissue techniques, not to diagnose, prescribe, or treat medical conditions. If anything concerning arises, say:
“What I’m seeing here is outside the scope of massage therapy, and I’d recommend following up with a licensed healthcare provider for a more in-depth evaluation.”
This kind of language ensures clarity, protects your license, and maintains ethical boundaries while still delivering a high level of care.
If you’re interested in refining your assessment skills, check out the Online TheraPro Method Assessment