Do You Actually Need a Movement Assessment? (5 Clear Signs You Do)
You've been dealing with pain for weeks—maybe months.
You've tried rest. You've stretched. You've even invested in massage, chiropractic, or physiotherapy.
But the pain keeps coming back.
So now you're wondering: Do I actually need a movement assessment? Or should I just keep trying what I'm doing?
This is one of the most common questions we hear at Spheric Human Performance on Beach Road—and it's a smart question to ask.
Not every ache needs professional assessment. Sometimes rest, basic exercises, and time are enough.
But sometimes, your body is trying to tell you something deeper is going on—and that's when a movement assessment becomes essential.
In this guide, we'll help you decide if you need one.
What Is a Movement Assessment (And How Is It Different)?
First, let's clarify what a movement assessment actually is—because it's different from what you might get at a typical physiotherapy or chiropractic session.
Traditional Physiotherapy/Chiropractic:
Often focuses on the area that hurts
Treatment might include massage, adjustments, stretching, strengthening
Typically symptom-focused
Movement Assessment at Spheric:
Looks at your entire body and how it moves as a system
Assesses breathing, posture, joint mobility, and movement patterns
Identifies why pain keeps returning, not just where it hurts
Focuses on correcting root causes through movement re-education
Think of it this way:
If you have knee pain, we don't just look at your knee. We assess:
How your foot contacts the ground
Whether your hip rotates properly
If your pelvis is aligned
How you breathe during movement
Your standing and walking patterns
This is why many clients experience improvement within the first session—we're addressing the foundation, not just the symptom.
5 Clear Signs You Need a Movement Assessment
Sign #1: Your Pain Keeps Returning After Treatment
This is the biggest red flag.
If you've tried:
Chiropractic adjustments (relief lasts 2-3 days, then pain returns)
Massage or TCM (feels great temporarily, tightness comes back)
Physiotherapy exercises (help briefly, but pain flares up again)
...the problem isn't that the treatments don't work. It's that they're not addressing why your body moves the way it does.
Pain that keeps returning is your body's way of saying: "The underlying pattern hasn't changed."
Real example:
Beaunice struggled with on-and-off lower back pain for years. She tried chiropractic and TCM tuina—both provided temporary relief, but the pain always returned, especially after exercises like deadlifts.
After her first assessment at Spheric, Sam identified poor hip mobility and an overarched back that made her rely too much on her lower back when lifting. Through targeted mobility work, her hip movement improved and she can now train with much less pain.
(Based on verified Google review)
Sign #2: You've Tried Multiple Specialists With No Lasting Relief
Maybe you've been to:
A physiotherapist (helped a bit, but pain returned)
A chiropractor (adjustments felt good temporarily)
A sports massage therapist (great relief, but short-lived)
Even traditional Chinese medicine
If you've cycled through multiple specialists without lasting improvement, you're not broken—you just haven't found the approach that addresses your specific movement patterns.
Real example:
Nic dealt with right lower back pain for over two years, especially after sitting too long. He completed a full cycle of chiropractic treatment and additional stretching. They helped initially, but the pain always returned—requiring ongoing adjustments.
After about 10 sessions with Coach WH at Spheric, he could sit longer without discomfort. He learned effective lifting techniques and simple exercises he could do on his own. Most importantly, he understood why his pain kept returning—and how to prevent it.
(Based on verified Google review)
Sign #3: Pain Appears During Specific Movements
Pay attention to when your pain shows up:
Does your shoulder hurt when reaching overhead or behind your back?
Does your knee ache when you squat, climb stairs, or run?
Does your back tighten when you bend forward or sit for long periods?
Does your hip pinch when you lift your leg or walk uphill?
If pain is movement-specific, it's a strong indicator that your body is compensating in that particular movement pattern.
This isn't something you can fix with general stretching or strengthening—you need someone to assess how you're performing that specific movement and identify the compensation.
Real example:
Monisha went for her first consultation at Spheric for a shoulder issue she'd been experiencing during pressing movements in workouts.
Joel did a comprehensive posture assessment (including photos for her reference) and provided useful drills to manage her shoulder issues. He also recorded videos of her performing the drills so she could rewatch at home.
The key? He identified exactly how her movement pattern during pressing was creating the problem—not just that her shoulder hurt.
(Based on verified Google review)
Sign #4: You Want to Return to Sports/Gym Safely (And Avoid Re-Injury)
Maybe you've taken time off from running, weightlifting, tennis, or other sports because of pain.
Now you're ready to return—but you're nervous about triggering the pain again.
This is the perfect time for a movement assessment.
Why?
Because time off doesn't automatically fix faulty movement patterns. If you return to activity with the same compensation patterns that caused pain in the first place, the pain will return.
A movement assessment helps you:
Identify what caused the issue initially
Correct movement patterns before loading them
Build a safe, progressive return-to-activity plan
Gain confidence that you can train without re-injury
Real example:
Poh Hoon Teo came to Spheric because their main focus is "correcting movement patterns, reducing chronic pain (especially back, knee, shoulder), and stepping into performance training rather than just 'standard physio'."
This approach—focusing on movement correction rather than just symptom treatment—has been beneficial for her health. Her back is now "getting better and better."
(Based on verified Google review)
Sign #5: You've Been Told "Nothing's Wrong" But You Still Feel Pain
This is incredibly frustrating—and more common than you think.
Maybe you've had:
An MRI that came back "normal"
X-rays showing no structural issues
Blood tests with no red flags
Your doctor might have said: "There's nothing wrong. Just rest and it should improve."
But you still feel pain.
Here's the truth: imaging doesn't always show movement dysfunction.
You can have:
Perfect-looking joints on an MRI
Normal bone structure on X-rays
No inflammation in blood work
...and still experience pain—because the issue is how you move, not structural damage.
A movement assessment reveals compensations, imbalances, and dysfunctional patterns that don't show up on imaging.
What Happens During a Movement Assessment at Spheric?
If you've never had a movement assessment before, here's what to expect:
1. Discussion of Your Pain History and Goals
Where does it hurt?
When did it start?
What have you already tried?
What activities do you want to return to?
2. Breathing and Posture Assessment
How do you breathe (chest vs. ribs)?
Is your pelvis aligned or tilted?
Is your ribcage positioned well?
3. Movement Testing
Can you squat, bend, reach, rotate without compensation?
Where do you feel blocked or tight?
Do you favor one side over the other?
4. Joint Mobility and Stability Check
Hip rotation, ankle mobility, shoulder blade movement
Foot pressure distribution
Core stability and control
5. Clear Explanation (In Plain Language)
What we found
Why it's causing your pain
What needs to change
6. Personalized Plan
Specific drills tailored to your body
Homework exercises you can do independently
Progressions to build lasting improvement
Key difference: You're not just told what to do—you're taught why it matters and how to do it correctly.
Real example:
Gillian, a busy mom, worked with Joel and learned how "little movements and positions" can affect her body. The exercises were easy to do at home when she could find time—and she could even apply what she learned in everyday situations (like standing on an escalator!).
(Based on verified Google review)
What If You're Still Not Sure?
Here's a simple self-check:
You probably DON'T need a movement assessment if:
Pain is mild and improving daily with rest
It started very recently (less than 1 week)
You haven't tried basic self-care yet (rest, ice, gentle movement)
Pain is clearly from a specific acute injury (e.g., you twisted your ankle yesterday)
You probably DO need a movement assessment if:
Pain has lasted 2+ weeks despite rest and basic care
Pain keeps returning no matter what you try
You've seen multiple specialists without lasting relief
Pain is affecting your daily life, sleep, work, or hobbies
You're avoiding activities you love because of pain
Why Movement Assessments Work (Even When Other Treatments Don't)
Traditional treatments often focus on where it hurts.
Movement assessments focus on why it hurts.
This is why clients at Spheric often experience:
Immediate improvements (sometimes within the first session)
Lasting relief (not just temporary fixes)
Better understanding of their bodies
Confidence to move without fear of pain
The approach goes beyond just treating symptoms—it's about correcting the underlying movement patterns that cause pain in the first place, which creates lasting change.
Ready to Find Out What's Really Going On?
If you're near Beach Road, Bugis, Esplanade, or City Hall, come in for a detailed movement assessment.
Get Started:
👉 Book your $39 trial assessment
Discover what's really causing your pain—and get a clear, personalized plan to fix it.
What's included:
Comprehensive movement and posture assessment
Clear explanation of findings (photos/videos if helpful)
Specific corrective exercises tailored to you
Understanding of why your pain keeps returning
Location: 43C Beach Road, Singapore 189681 (next to Esplanade MRT)
The Bottom Line
Not every ache requires professional help—but if pain keeps returning, affects your life, or hasn't responded to standard treatments, a movement assessment can be the missing piece.
At Spheric Human Performance, we don't just treat symptoms. We help you understand your body, correct faulty patterns, and build lasting strength and mobility.
Because the goal isn't just to get out of pain—it's to stay out of pain for good.