Movement Performance Lab

Move, improve and perform with our world-class motion analysis system.

The physical therapists at Stevens Point Orthopedics are experts in human movement. They are highly-trained to analyze your movement and identify factors that may be contributing to your pain or performance deficits.

Human movement is a complex process; and one that can be very challenging to modify and improve by ourselves. This is especially true when we become injured performing daily activities or are trying to improve upon something that we enjoy doing for fun or leisure. Ultimately, both scenarios lead us to deficits in our ability to live out our life and perform at the highest level we can in daily life, work, or sport.

You need a team to surround you to help you achieve at the highest level. So, to help bridge the gap between your movement, improvement and performance, SPO is excited to bring the Movement Performance Lab to all those we serve within the Central Wisconsin region and beyond!

We are dedicated to improving access to this world-class treatment to every individual we serve. Whether you are experiencing pain with everyday activities, a weekend warrior looking to return to activity after a nagging injury, or an athlete striving to improve your performance, the Movement Performance Lab at Stevens Point Orthopedics can help you move, improve, and perform at your best.

With the help of our research-grade motion analysis software, we can analyze and understand how you MOVE with the use of high-speed motion capture. This in-depth understanding will then help your physical therapist prescribe specific corrective exercises which will then allow you to IMPROVE your movement and ultimately help you PERFORM at the highest level.

I recently completed a movement evaluation via the Movement Performance Lab with Carter! I was so impressed with the detailed data and information obtained. This evaluation identified the exact areas of weakness that contribute to my chronic back issues. I am excited to focus on strengthening those weaknesses and moving with less pain!

— Christie Witt

Run. Jump. Throw. Dance. Swing

Each individual motion requires technique.

How It Works

Move

With an in-depth movement examination, our physical therapists are able to identify any faulty movements you may be demonstrating. They are then able to further determine the cause of the pain/performance decrease with the use of our high-speed motion capture software. Through this movement and education-centered examination, you will better understand why you are experiencing increased pain and/or decreased performance.

Movements That Can Be Evaluated During a Movement Performance Lab Analysis:

Walking Gait
Running Gait
Throwing Mechanics
Return to Sport
Golf Swing Mechanics

Improve

After a detailed motion analysis examination, your physical therapist will develop a personalized home exercise program to improve your strength, mobility, and movement patterns. This program is designed with you in mind. Our goal is to prescribe exactly what you need while teaching you why you are experiencing problems and how best to improve upon them.

Patients Have Had the Following Conditions Addressed With the Movement Performance Lab:

Low Back Pain
Hip Pain
Knee Pain
Ankle Pain
Post-Surgical Return to Sport

Perform

Without proper movement, developing your sport performance is very challenging, if not impossible. As you improve upon the impairments identified during your initial examination, your physical therapist will progress your program. They will make it more and more specific to your sport or the activity you wish to be your best at. With this winning combination of improved strength, mobility, and mechanics, our athletes will become less prone to injury and see their performance improve.

Individuals That Have Been Evaluated With the Movement Performance Lab:

Walkers
Runners
Soccer Players
Basketball Players
Baseball/Softball Players
Golfers
Dancers
Hockey Players
Weight Lifters

Benefits of Our Motion Capture Software

The Noraxon System is the most advanced 3D motion-analysis system available.

SPO is the only facility in Wisconsin that has Noraxon technology.

The system uses two high-speed cameras and 16 sensors to capture your movements for detailed analysis.

The Noraxon software produces an avatar that lets you analyze your movements from any angle.

The system also has eight EMG muscle sensors capable of analyzing muscle activation patterns.

Noraxon allows you to view your movements in slow motion down to 1/10 of normal speed for motion analysis.

The movement evaluation was very helpful with identifying running flaws that we were unaware of. Sheila quickly identified areas where improvement was needed as well as provided exercises to strengthen weaknesses. We are looking forward to seeing the improvements in running form to assist in the prevention of future running injuries!

— Ryan Tauferner

As someone who considers themselves a novice athlete, I never would have thought I could benefit from the Movement Performance Lab. However, when I started to experience knee pain while running, I wanted to find out what was causing my discomfort.

I was thrilled at the opportunity to participate in a movement evaluation with Sheila. She had me perform a series of five movements to collect data on how each part of my body moves. The results were extremely illuminating and the state-of-the-art equipment helped us develop a plan to improve my posture while running to relieve my pain.

I would highly recommend everyone, no matter your level of athleticism, participate in a movement analysis. Even if you are not currently experiencing pain while moving or exercising!

— Timothy LaRose

During my movement evaluation, Carter was able to hone in on exactly what was causing me pain and gave me exercises to begin building strength in the right places. I was so impressed with his knowledge and professionalism as he listened to my movement concerns and my goals.

The Movement Performance Lab provided Carter with even more information about my joints and muscle groups. It was amazing to see myself on the screen and how my muscles were (and weren’t) working. I have total confidence that with the information gleaned from the analysis, coupled with the knowledge and experience at SPO, that I will soon be able to run again—pain-free

— Carrie Dreger

It was remarkable how Carter was able to immediately identify the problematic areas during my movement evaluation. My movements were causing lower back and hip pain while running. I am looking forward to working with Carter and the SPO Physical Therapy team to strengthen these areas and prevent further injury.

— Terrie Tauferner

Movement Performance Lab FAQs

What is the Movement Performance Lab and how can it help me?

The Movement Performance Lab at Stevens Point Orthopedics utilizes the minds of our top-notch clinicians, in combination with cutting-edge motion capture technology, to help identify complex movement-related problems that contribute to loss of function, pain, and decreased performance. Our motion capture software is the only one of its kind in the state of Wisconsin. You will leave your appointment feeling confident in the understanding of your movement dysfunction, why it is occurring, and how you can best improve it to return to doing what you love at the highest level.

Where will my assessment be located?

Anywhere! This is what sets us apart from other motion capture systems in the area. Although the Movement Performance Lab is centrally located at Stevens Point Orthopedics’ D1 Training location, we are capable of utilizing our system’s mobile capabilities to analyze your movement and performance at ANY location.

How is a movement analysis performed?

After performing a thorough orthopedic assessment to identify underlying movement faults, our experienced physical therapists will utilize our state-of-the-art motion capture system. The system analyzes your movement with high-speed cameras and research-grade sensors determine what faults are contributing to your pain, previous injury, or decrease in performance. Our highly-trained staff are dedicated to ensuring that you, the patient, FULLY understand your movement-related problem, why it is occurring, and how best to improve it. With this new understanding you will be more equipped to improve your functioning and performance to get back to doing what you love.

What types of movements can be evaluated during a Movement Performance Lab analysis?

Walking Gait
Running Gait
Throwing Mechanics
Golf Swing Mechanics
Return to Sport

What types of conditions have been addressed utilizing the Movement Performance Lab?

Low Back Pain
Hip Pain
Knee Pain
Ankle Pain
Post-Surgical Return to Sport

Who has been evaluated with the Movement Performance Lab?

Walkers
Runners
Sprinters
Soccer Players
Basketball Players
Baseball/Softball Players
Golfers
Dancers
Hockey Players
Weight Lifters

Do I need to be an athlete to benefit from this technology?

No! The team at SPO is dedicated to improving access to world-class care and technology to every individual we serve. Whether you are experiencing pain with everyday activities, a weekend warrior looking to return to activity after a nagging injury, or an athlete striving to improve your performance, the Movement Performance Lab at Stevens Point Orthopedics can help you move, improve, and perform at the highest level.

Do I need to be in physical therapy at SPO in order to have an analysis done?

No. As Wisconsin is a direct access state, you as the patient/client are able to seek out physical therapy services without a physician’s referral. This may be a more time and cost-effective path to take given your personal situation. You will then utilize our cash-pay option or submit a receipt of your care after payment to determine if your insurance will cover part or all of the cost.

How will this help me become a better athlete?

To compete at the highest level, athletes must have the best coaches and support staff around them to help achieve their performance goals. Sport-specific coaches are very knowledgeable of the ins and outs pertaining to the sport they coach; however sometimes lack the knowledge and understanding in movement that could ease their athlete’s pain and/or improve their performance. The Movement Performance Lab at Stevens Point Orthopedics is designed to help our athletes identify holes in their athletic performance, whether it be strength deficits, mobility restrictions, or imprecise movement sequencing, to help them to perform and achieve at the highest level. Our movement experts are specifically trained in breaking down and analyzing your movement to identify what you need to do just that.

I am returning to a sport after a long time off, how might the Movement Performance Lab help me?

No matter the reason for your time away from sport, the experts at Stevens Point Orthopedics have designed, tested, and utilize protocols that are backed by the latest research to help you return to your sport the safest. They are the only clinicians in the REGION who have developed such measures. When booking a Return to Sport Analysis, your physical therapist will analyze your motion during a variety of sport-specific movements to determine your readiness and safety to return-to-play. The information gained from your assessment and improvements made will ensure you are at your peak performance prior to returning to your athletic activities after pain, injury, or surgery.

How long does a motion analysis take?

Our initial movement evaluation is scheduled to run 90 minutes in length with follow up sessions scheduled for 45 minutes.

I am not injured and my insurance won’t cover an analysis; how much will this cost me out of pocket?

90-minute initial evaluation: $199
45-minute follow-up session: $69

What should I wear to the appointment?

We recommend that you wear athletic shorts and a t-shirt that will allow you to move freely and without hesitation. We do have a supply of sporty SPO shorts and shirts if you forget either for your first appointment.

Will I need to schedule a re-evaluation after completing my first one?

Depending on your goals, you may wish to complete a re-evaluation of your movement after completing a plan of care with your physical therapist to determine the amount of change that has occurred. That being said, this would likely come weeks to months after your initial assessment to allow you to improve your mobility, increase your strength, and change movement patterns.

When will I get my assessment results?

As our clinicians are EXPERTS in human movement, they will sit down with you the same day after performing your analysis to break down the footage and data. This means you will get the results IMMEDIATELY. You will leave your initial appointment understanding the reason WHY you are dealing with pain during your activity or experiencing decreases in performance in your sport. After the assessment, your physical therapist will have given you the tools necessary to begin improving your movement and function.