“With the leg bone connected to the knee bone, and the knee bone connected to the thigh bone, and the thigh bone connected to the hip bone…”
The words to this familiar song were originally intended for children as a simple way of teaching them about human anatomy. But they’re a good reminder that the human body is one whole, interconnected being as opposed to individual bones, muscles, and joints. Every part is dependent on the other.
Applied Functional Science (AFS) seeks to better understand human body movement: how was the body made to function, and how does it actually function? Developed by Gary Gray, the founder of the Gray Institute, AFS links the scientific truths of how we move, think and act with practical strategies to create better, more efficient environments for the daily, sport-specific activities we engage in. When it comes to injuries, the goal is to evaluate the source of the injury as opposed to the symptom—and in contrast, to break down a person’s natural movements and assess limitations to help prevent an injury before it happens.
How does a functional approach affect how Finish Line therapists treat you?