Are You Moving Well – Or Just Getting By?

Why Musculoskeletal Screening Could Be the Injury Prevention Tool You Didn’t Know You Needed

If you’re someone who runs, cycles, goes to the gym, or plays sport regularly, you probably know the frustration of dealing with a niggling injury. Maybe it’s your knee after a long run. Or your back after a tough gym session. The problem is, by the time pain shows up, the damage is often already done.

But what if you could spot the issues before they become injuries?

At Move4 Physio in Northampton, we’re excited to offer a proactive, data-led way to keep your body performing at its best — our Musculoskeletal (MSK) Screening service.

What is MSK Screening?

Musculoskeletal screening is a comprehensive assessment that looks at how your body moves, how strong it is, and how balanced your movement patterns are.

The aim? To prevent injuries before they happen, and to give you the tools to improve your performance and move more efficiently.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all health check. It’s a tailored physiotherapy assessment that combines:

• Clinical testing
• Functional movement screening
• Force plate analysis
• Hand-held dynamometry for strength measurement

Together, these give us a 360-degree view of how your body functions.

The Three Core Elements of MSK Screening at Move4 Physio

1. Clinical and Functional Movement Testing

We start by observing how you move — squats, lunges, balance, mobility. Our Northampton physios look at joint control, coordination, and how your muscles are working together. This helps us pick up on inefficient patterns or areas of compensation.

2. Hand-Held Dynamometry (HHD)

This specialised tool measures your muscle strength with precision. We test key muscle groups — glutes, quads, hamstrings, shoulders and core — and compare left vs right. It’s particularly helpful for athletes or gym users recovering from injury or working on performance.

3. Force Plate Testing

Using force plate technology, we analyse how you absorb and generate force when jumping or balancing. This helps identify asymmetries, power deficits, or control issues that may not be obvious during regular physiotherapy assessments.

Why is This Valuable?

Pain doesn’t always mean something is wrong — and feeling fine doesn’t always mean everything’s working properly. Small imbalances can build up over time, eventually leading to breakdown or injury.

By investing in an MSK screening with our Northampton physiotherapy team, you can:

• Spot and correct movement issues early
• Get a clearer picture of your strengths and weaknesses
• Avoid the downtime and frustration of preventable injuries
• Track progress over time with repeatable, measurable data

Who’s It For?

MSK Screening is for anyone active — not just elite athletes. If you:

• Train regularly at the gym
• Run, cycle or swim
• Play sport at a club or social level
• Have a physically demanding job
• Are returning to activity after an injury
• Want to avoid recurring issues

Then this is for you.

It’s like a physio MOT, tailored to you.

What Do You Get?

After your session, you’ll receive:

• A summary of findings
• A clear, actionable plan
• Advice on exercises, training tweaks, and next steps

All delivered by a highly experienced Northampton physiotherapist who’ll guide you through everything.

Ready to Stay One Step Ahead?

At Move4 Physio, we believe prevention is better than cure. Our Musculoskeletal Screening service in Northampton helps you understand your body better, stay injury-free, and perform at your best — no matter what your sport or activity.

📍 Want to know more or book your assessment? Click here
📹 Or check out our explainer video