Movement Screen
Movement Screen
A movement screen is a fantastic, optional service for new patients who are unsure about whether they truly need pelvic floor physical therapy or not. It allows prospective or interested patients to come into the clinic, see it for themselves, and meet with Dr. Laura Meihofer—without any obligation or requirement for future appointments. During this short session, Dr. Meihofer will perform a brief assessment and help you decide if pelvic floor physical therapy may be a suitable solution for your condition.
Those who will best benefit from a movement screen include patients who:
- Want to meet their provider before making an appointment.
- Are concerned about clinic accessibility or inclusivity.
- Want to ensure that the provider is knowledgeable about their specific condition.
- Have “failed” pelvic floor physical therapy before.
- Are unsure if pelvic floor physical therapy is the answer for their needs, or if physical therapy can even benefit their condition.
How the Movement Screen Works
*While Dr. Laura Meihofer offers in-person and telehealth pelvic floor therapy services, please note that the movement screen is an in-person only appointment.
This session is an affordable, 20-minute meeting to familiarize you with the location and your potential physical therapist. You will gain valuable insight from an experienced professional (Dr. Meihofer) about how pelvic floor therapy may benefit your unique situation and what treatments you can expect if you decide to move forward.
Movement screens can be very helpful for many patients, because oftentimes pelvic health can be confusing. Understanding this complex part of your body can be a struggle, especially with conflicting information found online and very little education provided to the public. You may be wondering things about your body and unsure if it falls into the scope of pelvic floor physical therapy—questions such as:
- Do I have diastasis?
- How can pelvic floor therapy prepare me for birth?
- Am I lifting properly in the gym?
- How do I know if my running form is correct?
- Are bladder leaks normal?
- Is this normal for my body to do/feel?
- Do I really need physical therapy?
Even if your question differs from those listed above, it can likely still be answered with a movement screen. After the movement screen, if it is deemed that physical therapy may benefit your condition, you can decide whether or not to take the next step with a full evaluation. If you do choose to continue therapy, the cost of the movement screen will be applied as a credit to your first appointment.
Other Resources
You can learn more about pelvic floor therapy and Dr. Laura Meihofer before making an appointment! Feel free to check out the following resources:
FAQs About the Movement Screen
Is a Movement Screen and Evaluation the Same Thing?
A movement screen is not an evaluation. This service is solely designed for you to “feel out” a location and provider, and have your questions about physical therapy or your condition answered. It is simply for the purpose of helping you choose whether or not to actually pursue pelvic floor physical therapy treatment. It is an optional step before you actually take the full plunge and receive a full evaluation.
As mentioned before, a movement screen does involve a brief assessment to look for any limitations or imbalances you may be experiencing with your condition. This assessment is not a test of skill or ability—it just allows Dr. Laura Meihofer to better understand your symptoms and needs! She may inform you of what treatments may be used if you were to continue physical therapy, but these will not be performed until you have had a full evaluation.
An evaluation, on the other hand, is a full first step towards receiving treatment. It is a more thorough assessment, involving intake forms and an extensive look at your condition. An evaluation is typically immediately followed by treatment, and you will leave with at-home exercises or tasks to further your healing journey.
If you are confident that you want to begin a healing journey with pelvic floor therapy, you can skip the movement screen and book an evaluation!
How to Prepare for a Movement Screen
A movement screen is only 20 minutes long, so it is best to be prepared so you can get the most out of this interaction!
What to bring
- A list or idea of what questions you want to ask.
- A general idea of what your primary concern is.
- An edited version of your medical history that is specific to your current problem, condition, or goal.
What to Wear
Loose-fitting clothing that allows comfort and a full range of movement. Wearing non-restrictive clothing will allow Dr. Meihofer to better observe your range of motion and condition. Since this is a shorter session, the more quickly you can access any necessary areas, the more you will get out of this session.
*Movement screen assessments do not involve internal pelvic examinations, and are only a brief external observation. If an internal examination is needed for your condition, this will only be done during a full evaluation with your full consent (you do not have to consent to internal exams if you are uncomfortable with them, so no need to worry).