Your End-of-Year Movement Checkup.

December is the perfect time for cozy sweaters, holiday chaos, and… a movement checkup?

Yep—while most people are wrapping gifts, you can wrap up something even more valuable: a clear understanding of how your body is actually doing at the end of the year.

Just like you look at your finances, schedule annual medical visits, or tidy up loose ends before January hits, checking in on your movement, strength, and mobility can set you up for a healthier, stronger, and more confident year ahead. And the best part? It only takes a little time and honest reflection.

At Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance, we love helping people understand what their body can do—not just what hurts. So, let’s dig into what an end-of-year movement checkup looks like and why it matters (spoiler: it’s more useful than any New Year’s resolution you’ve ever made).

Your End-of-Year Movement Checkup:

Why You Need a Movement Checkup (Even If You Feel “Fine”)

Your body keeps score—of every activity, injury, long workday, skipped workout, or stressful season. Over time, small limitations can add up:

• Tight hips from long hours sitting

• Shoulder aches that flare after workouts

• Low back fatigue that appears by Friday

• Decreased balance or stability

• One-sided weakness from old injuries
  

Most people don’t notice these patterns until they’re annoying… and then painful… and then limiting.

A movement checkup helps you catch these small restrictions before they turn into bigger problems. Research shows that early identification and intervention for musculoskeletal issues leads to better outcomes, faster improvement, and lower long-term injury risk (Childs et al., 2015).

Consider it a “state of the union” for your body.

What to Look At During Your End-of-Year Movement Review

This isn’t about judgment—it’s about gathering data so you can move better, feel better, and age well. Here are a few key areas to assess:

1. Mobility: How Well Can You Move Through Your Range of Motion?

Check your:

• Ankle mobility (can you squat comfortably?)

• Hip flexibility

• Shoulder rotation and overhead reach

• Thoracic spine mobility
  

If anything feels stiff or limited, it’s worth noting now so you can target it in the new year.

2. Strength: Are You Strong Where It Counts?

A few simple tests can tell you a lot:

• Single-leg sit-to-stand

• Plank hold

• Step-down control

• Push-up quality
  

Strength is a major predictor of long-term health and independence, especially as we age.

3. Balance and Stability: Can You Stay Steady?

Try:

• Single-leg balance (eyes open, then closed)

• Control during step-ups or lunges

• Ability to stabilize during rotational movements
  

Balance naturally declines with age—but it’s trainable at any age, and early training makes a big difference (Sturnieks et al., 2008).

4. What Your Body Has Been Whispering About

Think back over the past year:

• What has felt tight?

• What flares when you get busy or stressed?

• What feels weaker on one side?

• What old injuries still show up now and then?
  

These are “breadcrumbs” pointing you toward what your body needs more of.

Why a PT-Led Movement Screen Is the Gold Standard

Self-checks are great—but a trained eye can catch things you might miss.

Physical therapists are movement specialists. We look at the whole person:how you move, how your joints behave, how your muscles fire, and how your body compensates when something is off.

At Nashville PT, our end-of-year movement assessments include:

• Joint mobility testing

• Strength and motor control screening

• Biomechanics and movement pattern review

• Balance and stability testing

• Goal discussion for the coming year

• A personalized plan for what to tackle first
  

This is not a quick look-over. It’s 60 minutes of one-on-one, hands-on evaluation and a roadmap for healthier movement in the year ahead.

What You Can Do with the Information

Once you have your results, you can:

• Set smarter health goals (based on your actual needs, not random resolutions)

• Address small issues early before they become painful

• Train more effectively based on your body’s strengths and weaknesses

• Improve how you move in workouts and daily life

• Age actively and confidently
  

Instead of the “New Year, New Me” cycle, you’ll have a plan rooted in real information about your body.

Ready for Your End-of-Year Checkup?

Your End-of-Year Movement Checkup: You don’t need a fresh start—you need a strategy. And a movement checkup is the perfect way to step into next year feeling capable, prepared, and supported.

If you want guidance on what your body needs going into the new year, we’re here to help. Schedule an end-of-year movement assessment (Total Body Wellness Assessment) at Nashville Physical Therapy & Performance and walk into 2026 with confidence, clarity, and a body that’s ready for anything.

#NashvillePhysicalTherapy #NashvillePT #KeepingActivePeopleActive #GetPT1st #ChoosePT #PhysicalTherapy

References

Childs, J. D., et al. (2015). Implications of early and guideline adherent physical therapy for low back pain on utilization and costs. BMC Health Services Research, 15, 150. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-0830-3

Sturnieks, D. L., St George, R., & Lord, S. R. (2008). Balance disorders in the elderly. Neurophysiologie Clinique, 38(6), 467–478. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neucli.2008.09.001