Functional Patterns Merced

SCIATICA, SHOULDER/SPINE IMPROVEMENTS March 2023-Nov 2023 Before: March 2023 (7/10 pain) •shoulders stuck in scapular retraction •anterior pelvic tilt •anterior shift in weight distribution •ribcage compression •kyphotic thoracic spine •stuck in hip/trunk flexion in gait •occasional feeling of sciatica/hamstring over activation After: Nov 2023 (0/10 pain) •neutral shoulders •neutral joint stacking of entire structure •improved neutrality of thoracic spine •improved hip extension/ trunk extension in gait •no sciatic pain and improved gait sequencing. Client Testimonial: “My name is Adrian I’m a fire extinguisher technician and a Barber. I’ve been training with FP for 7 months. Before FP, I had issues with sciatica that caused a lot of straining in my hamstrings & groin that gave me very limited movement. I had nerve impingements on both sides of my shoulder blades, untreated broken left collar bone from previous sports injuries, flaring up through my neck with pain, almost daily. This pain limited my ability to expand my ribs & would send me into anxiety attacks from feeling like I was not able to take a deep breath. It wasn’t uncommon for me to be anxious in any setting, which had an absolutely crippling affect on me mentally & emotionally. I tried coping through with what I knew best and most comfortable with, which was being active & physical. I worked out traditionally which worked for me mentally but physically I was building tensions and strains that I couldn’t tolerate. Since starting FP as my only form of exercise, I’ve experienced extensive improvement on my day to day living. Things like having a greater range of motion in my back & shoulders, near to no pain in my neck. I don’t feel like I need to twist and turn to crack and relieve tension anymore. After 7 months, I now am pain free and confident enough to do my own releasing & workouts at home to build on what was started, which has contributed to a sustainable way of living. “ @naudiaguilar @functionalpatterns #systemoversymptoms #functionalpatterns #fpmerced #fpisthestandard #makehumansfunctionalagain #biomechanics #biomechanicsculture

Scoliosis Improvements Results by practitioner @claudia.e.ponce Bella arrived at our facility because of pain/ discomfort in her mid/lower lumbar region, she also had trouble focussing & was dealing w/high levels of anxiety. During our assessment a noticeable asymmetry along her spine was identified and parents were suggested to follow up with her doctor for X-rays. During the process of growth spurts it was believed she developed idiopathic scoliosis and was facing physical limitations. Bella received spinal measurements in August 2023 where X-rays showed her lower thoracic measuring at 31 degrees and lumbar curve at 25 degrees. Parents were told by Doctors and specialists they had doubts of any improvements without surgical intervention. Within the course of 1 year and 4 months we trained 1x/week with a total of 3 months of down time in between. As of November 2023 My clients lower thoracic spine is measuring at 20 degrees and lumbar curve at 22 degrees. Today, my client reports feeling no pain in her mid/lower back & shared that her anxiety has decreased significantly. Bella is extremely active in various sports and feels more balanced and coordinated. Before: August 2022 -Scoliosis -Back pain (pain level 8 out of 10) -Scapula Winging -Rib compression -Unstable pelvis -Forward neck positioning After: November 2023 -Improved Scoliosis -No back pain (pain level 0) -Improved Scapula Winging -Decompressed ribcage -Stable pelvis -Improved neck positioning Testimonial: Sonia (Mom) Since Bella started FP with her practitioner Claudia, Bella’s scoliosis has improved greatly and no longer has back pain. Doctors were shocked to see the improvements as they had never seen such change before. Bella is now able to focus on her academics & is absolutely killing it in sports & has become a powerhouse of confidence. Functional patterns has been the ultimate game changer for Bella & our entire family. My husband & I both train FP @fp.merced & utilize the 10-week course at home to better learn the importance of proper movement. @functionalpatterns #functionalpatterns #fpmerced #scoliosisimprovements #youthscoliosis

ATHLETIC IMPROVEMENTS: FLAT FEET AND KNEE PAIN My client Gio came to me in April 2023 with complains of having knee pain and discomfort at the bottom of his feet that would linger at 7/10 pain. This directly affected his ability to perform in sports without creating more discomfort in those areas. After working together 1x/week for 21 months, he is at 0/10 pain and no longer has those issues while comfortably pushing his body to more limits. Great work Gio! Before: April 2023 (10 yo) 7/10 pain ❌Lacked abdominal pressure ❌Anterior pelvic tilt ❌Compressed ribs ❌Scapular winging —depressed right shoulder ❌Flat feet ❌Lacked extremity integration in gait After: January 2025 (12yo) 0/10 pain ✅Improved abdominal pressure ✅Neutral pelvis ✅Ribcage decompressed ✅Neutral scapulas ✅Arches in feet ✅Improved extremity sequencing and integration in gait Parents Testimonial: “Since Gio was a toddler, he would always complain about his feet hurting. Doctors attributed this to having flat feet and recommending shoes with arch support. As he become more active, the foot pain started to evolve to knee discomfort. The aches and pains started to affect his athleticism and joy in playing. It was no longer fun to play, when the pain would linger for days after. Gio started gravitating to a more sedentary life style, and took a toll on his overall well being. Since starting FP, the changes we have seen in Gio are evident. He is playing basketball more and His stamina and athleticism are at a new level, which is a reflection of the confidence he has in his body’s ability to move without pain & discomfort at the age of 12. The work he has put in has garnered a level of maturity and confidence we don’t believe we would have seen otherwise.” #functionalpatterns #fpisthestandard #projectfunction

POST STROKE IMPROVEMENT James, 76. ”I suffered a stroke in January 2025 which had affected my entire left side of my body. I was bed ridden and after leaving the hospital I felt the affects of being in bed for so long. I began treatment toward my recovery with occupational therapy and traditional physical therapy. I recovered enough to move myself around with minimal support but was disappointed in the stagnation of my recovery. I began working with Martin in June 2025 and I have gained hope with FP . Before FP, I had R hip pain that felt 8/10 with constant discomfort that affected how I walked. My L shoulder had 5/10 pain and had limited range of motion. I was tired and out of breath relatively fast and can only do things in short bursts. My biggest concern was not being able to move around independently without support. After 10 months, my pain has reduced and almost has gone away. I am more confident in my walking and I no longer have a concern to not be able to move around independently. I have seen what consistency does with this training and didn’t take long for me to see progress. I can move around for longer periods of time without feeling like I’m draining energy, walk in unstable terrain while hunting and travel without needing a cane. This has helped me get back to the things I enjoy the most without fear of falling. Before: 06.02.2025 •imbalanced weight distribution (shifted to R Leg, hip hike on the right.) 8/10 pain •distended abdominal wall (struggled with maintaining Abdominal pressure) •stuck in hip flexion and slight trunk flexion •compressed ribcage and left shift, lacked support for shoulders •left shoulder depressed and imbalanced ( 5/10 pain) After: 04.21.2026 •more neutral Pelvis (0/10 pain) •joint stacked, neutral spine. •improved abdominal pressure •improved ribcage decompression (supports shoulders) 1/10 pain Gait before: rigid, imbalanced and lacked fluid transitions in weight distribution through each stride. Left leg was in extension, primarily driving motion with right leg and leaned towards the right. Gait After: improved balance, coordination, weight distribution and force transmission. #functionalpatterns

Approved Result-Sharon: Hip-pain Eliminated, Posture/Gait improvements. I came to Claudia hoping to resolve my debilitating hip pain. A few days a month I relied on a cane to walk when the pain became unbearable. I could barely make it half a mile in the mornings, and hikes often left me in tears. Even my commute and my sleep were constantly disrupted by the pain. I felt like I’d tried everything from chiropractor visits every 2 weeks, deep-tissue massages, acupuncture & physical therapy. I pushed through the pain with Zumba 4–5 times a week, weight lifted weekly, and I’ve done yoga almost daily since I was 15 (w/lots of hip openers). My husband & I were even ready to try stem cell injections, & if that failed, hip surgery. When I found Functional Patterns, I learned they focus on training the body as a whole system, so intuitively I knew this could be the answer. As a massage therapist I knew everything in the body is interconnected. It was challenging in the beginning trying to make muscle connections. After each session with Claudia, I noticed a significant improvement in my posture and even my anxiety and mood. She had me pain free in my hips after 2 months. Pain that had slowly been getting worse despite my efforts for years. I am hiking 5-7 miles on the weekends pain free, I sleep through night, no pain on my 3 hour commute and the chronic pain between my shoulder blades is gone. I’ve gained muscle and I’m getting pretty close to 50 years old! I’ve got my life back. I am so grateful to Claudia and Functional Patterns as I feel like I am aging backwards! Before: Feb 2023 ❌ Hip pain 10/10 pain level ❌ Shoulder pain 8/10 ❌ Kypho-Lordosis ❌ Rib compression ❌ Hyper-extended knees ❌ Low muscle tone ❌ Gait: unable to walk/run w/out pain, lack of core pressure & glute engagement After: June 2025 ✅ Hip pain eliminated ✅ Shoulder pain eliminated ✅ Improved Kypho-Lordosis ✅ Decompressed rib cage ✅ Neutral knees ✅ Increased muscle gains ✅ Gait improvements: able to sprint w/no pain, improved core & glute engagement & overall improved sequencing. @functionalpatterns @theleverking @projectfunction #functionalpatterns #merced #centralvalley #hippain

REPOST • @functionalpatterns After being diagnosed with breast cancer at 37 in 2019, chemotherapy and radiation took a heavy toll on Griselda’s body, leaving persistent aches, neck pain, and arthritic feet due to neuropathy. This forced her to reevaluate her sedentary lifestyle and try yoga, massages, and traditional workouts. Despite these efforts, the discomfort worsened, and she believed it was just part of aging. She was forced to limit her physical activity to manage the pain in her joints and body. We all know that when traumatic things happen in our lives, it often leads to us feeling completely disconnected from our bodies. Many people are left feeling sluggish and stuck, often a side effect of the treatments we have to utilize to keep us surviving. We help people reconnect with themselves and get their bodies functioning the way they’re meant to. BEFORE (January 2023): ❌ Cervical compression with 8/10 pain ❌ Excessive protracted shoulders ❌ Excessive abdominal bloating and lack of core pressure ❌ Neuropathy in feet ❌ Joint pain while running AFTER (October 2024): ✅ Cervical decompression with 0/10 pain level ✅ Neutral shoulders ✅ Reduced bloating with improved core pressure ✅ Neuropathy in feet completely eliminated ✅ Gait improvements with no joint pain ✅ Overall improved coordination Working with @claudia.e.ponce @fp.merced put her in a better position for her future older self to be active, and today she can say she’s completely pain-free. After reducing grains and caffeine and eliminating alcohol, she’s maintained a 10 lb weight loss and her body is able to work better as a whole. She’s in a better place mentally and physically, feels younger, more energized, and her joints are no longer a problem. Being able to sprint is a win she carries with her, especially when she can race against her kids. FP has taught her to problem solve, to think outside the box, and most importantly, that pain and discomfort are not a normal part of life. It has shifted her entire family’s mindset and extends well beyond training sessions into their daily life. #functionalpatterns #breastcancerwarrior #breastcancer #fpisthestandard #projectfunction

•Repost• @functionalpatterns Real Change Comes From Movement, Not Just Posture Work 💪 The posture work we do in the beginning is important, but it’s not what drives change. If you want to address your physical dysfunctions, then you need to employ the movements that we do at Functional Patterns. It’s these movements that are oriented around your biology and the blueprint of moving and prioritizing the FP First 4: Standing, walking, running, and throwing. Our FP exercises are designed to improve exactly that. When you improve the way you move in this fashion, that’s what leads to real, long-lasting change. TIMO’S TRANSFORMATION 🔥 Timo, 16-year-old elite soccer player Timeline: February 19, 2024 - March 17, 2025 Training Frequency: Every 2 weeks, 1-2 hours per session Timo plays at the highest youth league level in Slovakia. His father noticed he wasn’t engaging his arms properly when running and wasn’t lifting his knees enough during movement. ✅POSTERIOR VIEW: Dramatic improvement in interscapular space. You can see how his shoulder blade positioning has completely transformed. ✅SPINAL ALIGNMENT: Notice the incredible change in his forward flexion. What was once a pronounced vertebral protrusion and visible scoliotic curve has significantly straightened out. This is what happens when you train movement patterns that align with human biology. Real change isn’t about isolated muscle work or temporary postural corrections, it’s about teaching your body to move the way it was designed to move. Great work here by @jano.kadera @fp.piestany #functionalpatterns #fpisthestandard #projectfunction #posture #biomechanics #scoliosis #scoliosisawareness #spinehealth

Scapular Dyskinesis improvement, Foot & Ankle pain resolved, Gait improvement. Results by practitioner @claudia.e.ponce Raidyn was brought in by his mom in July 2024 looking for options after being advised by an orthopedist to use a hip/leg brace due to femoral anteversion, influencing an excessive anterior pelvic tilt. Raidyn had trouble running and found lateral movements challenging; always ending up with pain after physical activity. Raidyn completed 30 FP sessions and during that time his gait sequencing improved significantly. Developing better pelvic stability, improved sequencing of hip and knee during swing phase, and demonstrated more coordinated foot placement during stance. Raidyn’s overall gait mechanics became more efficient and is now able to run without foot or ankle pain; he performs dynamic movements, including lateral transitions, with much greater ease and control. Great work Raidyn! Before: July 2024 ❌Scapular dyskinesis ❌Thoracic Kyphosis ❌Anterior Pelvic Tilt ❌Spinal Lordosis ❌Femoral anteversion (hip/leg brace advised by orthopedist) ❌Knee Valgus ❌Lack of intrabdominal pressure ❌(R) hip shift/hike ❌Excessive foot pronation ❌Ankle and foot pain level 5/6 out of 10 while walking/running ❌Gait: unstable pelvis, knee After: Jan.2025 ✅Improved scapular positioning & mobility ✅Improved thoracic kyphosis ✅Neutral pelvic positioning ✅Improved spinal alignment ✅Improved femoral positioning (No brace used) ✅Improved knee alignment ✅Reduced foot pronation ✅Ankle & foot pain eliminated. Can walk/run without pain ✅Gait: improved pelvic stability & knee positioning, better sequencing @functionalpatterns @projectfunction @fpevidence #fpmerced #merced #centralvalley #youthsports

Optionality with FP There’s a common misconception about FP and how it limits people’s choices in exercise. But in reality, the goal isn’t restriction. it’s strategic diversification. Think of your body like a bank account. If you put all your physical “investments” into exercises like deadlifts, back squats, or yoga, you might see short-term gains, but over time, you’re consolidating movement in a narrow direction. That’s like investing all your money in one stock: risky, and potentially damaging as you try to increase your investment portfolio. At FP, our objective is to help people diversify their movement portfolio over time. To move well for life, you need a foundation that supports long-term adaptability and resilience. Before you diversify, learn to consolidate by focusing on the FP First 4. This isn’t about cutting out movement. It’s about being intentional with it, so that every motion builds toward longevity, not just performance in the moment. #optionalitywithfp #functionalpatterns #projectfunction #fpisthestandard #biomechanics

DEEP SQUATS DECONDITION YOUR ABILITY TO SPRINT If you want to get better at deep squats, learning how to sprint properly is actually one of the best ways to do it. Sprinting helps you build strength and power through deep ranges of motion, which is key for squatting well. On the other hand, forcing yourself into a deep squat before you’ve built that strength can backfire. When you rely on gravity to get into position passively, you’ll end up conditioning your joints to become lax, muscles overly stretched, and lose the ability to generate force in those deep ranges. If you want to build foundational strength you need to focus on foundational sprinting exercises that promote both power and stability, making deep squats feel more natural but opting for structural integrity for real power. @rg.bell has the best versatility when it comes to conditioning your body for sprints, slams, deep lifts, parabolic transitions and undulations. #sprintingisking #functionalpatterns #fpisthestandard #projectfunction

Great work from our practitioner @claudia.e.ponce and member Griselda. Such an awesome transformation displaying how Resiliency can be downloaded and applied to improve quality of life. Excellent work you two. “In 2019, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 37. Chemotherapy and radiation took a heavy toll on my body, leaving me with persistent aches, including neck pain and arthritic feet due to neuropathy. This prompted me to reevaluate my sedentary lifestyle, leading me to yoga, massages, and traditional workouts. Despite my efforts, the discomfort worsened, and I believed it was just part of aging. I was forced to limit my physical activity in order to manage the level of discomfort and pain in my joints & body. Working with Claudia at Functional Patterns Merced put me in a better position for my future older self to be active & today I can say l’m pain free. After reducing grains, caffeine and eliminating alcohol, I’ve maintained a 10 lb weight loss and my body is able to work better as a whole. It was astounding how inflamed and bloated I was, prior to these lifestyle changes. I’m in a better place mentally, physically, feel younger, more energized and my joints are no longer a problem. Being able to sprint, is a win I carry with me, especially when I can race against my kids. FP has taught me to problem solve, to think outside the box & most importantly, that pain and discomfort are not a normal part of life. It has shifted my entire family’s mindset, and it extends well beyond training sessions, but into our daily life. Eating, hydration and sleep are a continued focus. I’m grateful for what FP has shown me about my body’s potential, and I’m committed to using their tools as I continue this journey. #functionalpatterns #fpisthestandard #projectfunction

Griselda: Cervical Pain & Neuropathy improvements, Gait improvements Results by practitioner @claudia.e.ponce Before: January 2023 ❌Cervical compression 8/10 pain ❌Excessive protracted shoulders ❌Excessive abdominal bloating/lack core pressure ❌Neuropathy in feet ❌Joint pain while running After: October 2024 ✅Cervical decompression 0/10 pain level ✅ Neutral shoulders ✅ Reduced bloating/ improved core pressure ✅ Neuropathy in feet eliminated ✅ Gait improvements/ no joint pain ✅ Overall Improved coordination In 2019, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 37. Chemotherapy and radiation took a heavy toll on my body, leaving me with persistent aches, including neck pain and arthritic feet due to neuropathy. This prompted me to reevaluate my sedentary lifestyle, leading me to yoga, massages, and traditional workouts. Despite my efforts, the discomfort worsened, and I believed it was just part of aging. I was forced to limit my physical activity in order to manage the level of discomfort and pain in my joints & body. Working with Claudia at Functional Patterns Merced put me in a better position for my future older self to be active & today I can say I’m pain free. After reducing grains, caffeine and eliminating alcohol, I’ve maintained a 10 lb weight loss and my body is able to work better as a whole. It was astounding how inflamed and bloated I was, prior to these lifestyle changes. I’m in a better place mentally, physically, feel younger, more energized and my joints are no longer a problem. Being able to sprint, is a win I carry with me, especially when I can race against my kids. FP has taught me to problem solve, to think outside the box & most importantly, that pain and discomfort are not a normal part of life. It has shifted my entire family’s mindset, and it extends well beyond training sessions, but into our daily life. Eating, hydration and sleep are a continued focus. I’m grateful for what FP has shown me about my body’s potential, and I’m committed to using their tools as I continue this journey. #functionalpatterns #projectfunction #merced #centralvalley