Holistic Assessment

Postural and Orthopaedic Assessment - Taking the Holistic Approach to exercise

Holistic originates from a Greek word meaning whole.... Therefore a Holistic Assessment will look at the body as a whole, a system of systems.

Your program and rate of success is only as strong as your assessment.  "If you're not assessing, you are guessing'. I stand by this statement, but typically a large amount Personal Trainers and Coaches in the health and fitness industry do not perform an initial assessment before designing a program. This can often lead to a poorly designed exercise routine and not a customised training programme that is personalised for that particular client. 

This Holistic Assessment is a system that recognises that each client is completely individual and requires a unique approach even if their symptoms and problems appear to be the same as others. There are many factors to be considered when developing a health & fitness programme, all of which are covered within the Holistic Assessment, essentially leaving 'no stone unturned'. This approach has allowed me to help literally hundreds of clients become functionally pain free and reach their health and fitness goals.

Your Holistic Assessment consists of extensive postural and orthopedic testing looking at all the bodies physical systems and movement biomechanics. Depending on your initial consultation and questionnaires your Holistic Assessment can last up to three hours.  

The Holistic Assessment will usually start with a Static Posture Assessment to look at the distortions within the body that could be causing pain, discomfort and obstructing optimal performance. Using various different areas of testing I will gathered enough information to build a comprehensive corrective exercise programme. All programmes will follow the success formula for conditioning which is:

To start your journey, click to book your Initial Consultation.

4 Stages to a Comprehensive Successful Exercise Programme

1. Restore Muscle Balance and Flexibility: 

During your Holistic Assessment we will identify your muscle imbalances and restricted areas of flexibility. Any shortened muscles must be isolated and stretched until they achieve optimal length/tension relationships. - You will receive a Corrective Mobilisation & Stretching Program.

2. Restore Static and Dynamic Postural Stability:

Once shortened muscles are optimized through using your Corrective Mobilisation & Stretching Program, we can begin activating tonic static and dynamic postural muscles that have become weakened. Switching on these inactive muscles will balance your body and restore stability allowing us to progress to a strength phase of training. - You will receive a Corrective Exercise & Corrective Core Conditioning Program.

3. Strengthening: 

Depending on your goals, current enviroment and Primal Pattern Movement Assessment, I will design a fully comprehensive Strength Program. I will also prepare you for higher forces and speeds of movement so you can progress to the power phase. - You will receive a Strength & Primal Pattern Program.

4. Power training: 

Power movements are movements in which are completed in less than one second. The kinetic forces during such movements may be 3-7 times more than those movements completed at slower speeds, as commonly used in the strengthening phase. Power movements improve durability and performance. Power training can be carried over to any sports specific training. - You will receive a Power Training Program.

Holistic Assessment Process

Upper Cervical Testing

This assessment looks closely at two of the most important vertebrae in the body. The C1 & C2 of the cervical spine. Common issues can range from severe migraine headaches to balance issues related to the vestibular system. Misalignment can cause vertigo, dizziness and even muscle imbalances and injuries.

Static Posture Assessment

This will allow me to view your posture whilst in various static positions. for example standing, seated, prone, supine, anterior, sagittal, posterior and superior postures will be assessed. All body alignments from the foot and ankle up to the head, neck and jaw will be checked. Notes, and optional photos can be taken. I can use these pictures as a teaching feedback tool when explaining any imbalances to yourself.

Posture Indicators

This assessment looks at the most important posture landmarks and will provide vital information to support the development of a comprehensive corrective exercise programme. These landmarks are pelvic tilt, first rib angle, head carriage and IIiac crest.

Spinal Curvatures & Range of Motion

All measurements of spinal curves will be taking. Which include neutral, flexion, extension, lateral flexion & rotation. The entire spinal column will be assessed, results and feedback and results will be given.

Length Tension & Range of Motion

Using a goniometer a full assessment of body range of movement and biomechanics will be measured. This will allow me to build a corrective mobilisation & stretching program to restore muscle balance and flexibility.

Shoulder Biomechanics Assessment

Using a goniometer a comparative range of motion assessment of shoulder will be measured. Looking at scapulothoracic and glenohumeral rhythm and position, shoulder symmetry and proprioception. A comprehensive shoulder conditioning programme can then be deigned. 

Abdominal Core Function Assessment

Your body is only as good as your abdominal core function. This assessment consists of 14 tests that will show me which deep abdominal muscles are working correctly, and which need to be isolated and restored to optimal function and stability.

Primal Pattern Movement Assessment

Looking closely at the 6 primal movement patterns, Squat, Lunge, Bend , Twist, Push, Pull. I will design a program to restore primal standard which might include phases of rehabilitation depending on your functionality.

Bio Motor Ability Assessment

Looking at needs vs current bio motor ability I will use exercises with high correlation to your sports or activates to determine your current Strength, Power, Speed, Agility, Balance, Coordination, Endurance and Flexibility. 

Infant Development Movement Assessment

In our first year of development we create movement patterns that can effect us for our entire lives. Commonly overlooked and not understood, Infant development can play a significant role in understanding your current movement ability. The different stages of infant development and movement patterns are Breathing Quality, Navel Radiation, Homologous, Homolateral, Contralateral and Gait.

Functional Testing Grid

This assessment looks at both gross and fine motor skills, stability and proprioception. This assessments facilitates isolated exercise testing for sagittal, frontal and transverse plane mobility, striding, stepping and balancing, as well as for more dynamic skills such as foot patterning and eye-foot motor coordination.

Dynamic Movement and Gait Analysis

The use of multimedia, such as video, will help when conducting this dynamic movement and gait analysis assessment. All findings will be explained in detail so you thoroughly understand whats happening.

Body Stat, Heart & Lung Assessment

Compete body statistics will include fat %, BMI, height, weight,  hydration and all over body measurements. Also blood pressure, resting heart rate and peak flow lung capacity will be measured. Optional pictures can be taken. Pictures can help explain posture distortions and can be great for ‘before’ pictures.

Nutrition & Lifestyle Questionnaire

This is a nutrition & lifestyle questionnaire, which is a system for assessing physiological load and identifying the primary stressors affecting your health.  This questionnaire will look at all the 6 foundational principles and show you which areas require most attention. Our priority would be to reduce these main stressors and balance your bodies systems. This will give you more functionality and allow you to achieve your goals.

Primal Pattern Diet Questionnaire

The one size fits all approach doesn't work when it comes to nutrition, therefore to achieve optimal health and wellbeing, you must determine what metabolic/primal pattern type is correct for you. Eating correct for your metabolic/primal pattern type will give your body what it needs and reduce the overall stress on your health. This will allow you to a achieve your goals.

Holistic Assessment overview

This is an overview of all the tests completed during your Holistic Assessment  and will show you positive findings using a Physiological Load Assessment Reduction Form and a Posture Imbalance Overview form.

please note, your program may not include all the assessments as listed above. It will only need those which are specific to your individual requirements

Your journey 

Your journey begins with a Holistic Assessment of your current physical, emotional and mental condition. 

I will then design a corrective exercise program to not only address any pain you are experiencing but to focus on the underlying cause of these dysfunctions. The program will enable you to restore optimal health and vitality. 

Initially I will have you complete a series of questionnaires. These can all be done via my website. After you have completed your questionnaires, I will review them and contact you to set-up a Holistic Assessment, which includes a comprehensive postural assessment. 

After your Holistic Assessment, I will design a customised exercise program based on both your Holistic Assessment and submitted questionnaires. Exercise programs generally consist of corrective stretches along with resistance & cardio training, depending on your needs. You will receive an easy-to-follow detailed description of your exercise program, including acute variables such as Rest, Tempo, Intensity, Duration, Repetitions and Sets. This information along with Video clips of each of your exercises is all available for you to view via my website.

To start your journey, click to book your Initial Consultation.

Prepare for your Holistic Assessment

• Avoid consuming tea, coffee or any caffeine up to 2 hours before the assessment.

• Avoid using any perfume or fragrant cosmetics on the day of your assessment.

• Please bring information about any medication you currently take or may need to take in the future.

• Please be aware that to be examined properly, you will need to undress to your underwear. Sportswear is ideal

• Please bring along any medial notes, such as X-rays and scans detailing any current or past injuries and surgery undertaken. 

• Prior to your assessment, please complete any documents and questionnaires that I set you.

• The Holistic Assessment could take between 1 and 3 hours depending on your requirements, this can be booked in one longer session or split up into separate sessions.

After your Holistic Assessment

Following your Holistic Assessment you will receive an email containing a full evaluation with all the information found during your assessment. I will then explain how your program will be developed and when your coaching and personal training will take place.

In the first phase you will usually begin with a stretching and mobilisation programme, you will be carefully taught your program and then  provided with all the necessary details, so you completely understand every aspect of you plan. You will then progress through all the 4 Stages to a Comprehensive Successful Exercise Program as described above.

To start your journey, click to book your Initial Consultation.