Whether your issue is neck pain or foot pain, one of the many assessments I’ll ALWAYS do is the overhead squat. . Why? Because it shows me everything! Let’s break it down…
Ankle mobility issues? Can’t hide in the overhead squat. You won’t reach proper depth, and I’ll know we need to investigate why.
Weak glutes? Those knees will show me! They’ll cave inward and the following tests will take me back to your glutes.
Poor anterior core control? The squatting with your arms overhead will be impossible without your cheating diving forward. Many things can cause this, but a few more assessments will take us back to your core.
Truly, the overhead squat, in my opinion, is the very best place to start for assessing overall strength, mobility, and fitness. I get lots of valuable information about your risk for injury. So if I’m looking at you for the first time or the 100th time, I’m checking that overhead squat.
If you notice a breakdown in your overhead squat, don’t blow it off. If you can nail down the issue on your own, fix it. If you can’t, come have a chat with me. Correcting it WILL improve your performance AND save you an injury!
Rachel Atufunwa, PT, DPT