The Lumbar Spine

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and is often associated with costly, ineffective and sometimes harmful care.  In this short online course, we identify 10 common unhelpful beliefs about LBP and outline how they may influence behavioural and psychological responses to pain. We counter with 10 important facts about LBP, calling on clinicians to incorporate these into their interactions with patients. The infographic is designed for the public use.

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Here’s a method that’s been proved to assist millions of people worldwide to reduce and eliminate musculoskeletal disorders - empowering patients to take control of their own symptoms and management, getting them pain free as quickly and cost effectively as possible.

It can also establish a patient’s directional preference and determine movements likely to help abolish the pain and restore function.

This three-part course, which must be taken together, is a must for any professional who treats back and neck pain.

Here’s a method that’s been proved to assist millions of people worldwide to reduce and eliminate musculoskeletal disorders - empowering patients to take control of their own symptoms and management, getting them pain free as quickly and cost effectively as possible. 

It can also establish a patient’s directional preference and determine movements likely to help abolish the pain and restore function. 

This three-part course, which must be taken together, is a must for any professional who treats back and neck pain.

Here’s a method that’s been proved to assist millions of people worldwide to reduce and eliminate musculoskeletal disorders - empowering patients to take control of their own symptoms and management, getting them pain free as quickly and cost effectively as possible. 

It can also establish a patient’s directional preference and determine movements likely to help abolish the pain and restore function. 

This three-part course, which must be taken together, is a must for any professional who treats back and neck pain.

What’s in a name?” Juliet asked. Well, when it comes to Low Back Pain, it could be quite significant. There are several classification schemes, each with its own philosophy and categorizing method that are used to subgroup low back pain (LBP) patients.

Physiotherapy derived schemes usually have a movement impairment focus, but the extent to which other biological, psychological, and social factors of pain are encompassed should also be considered.

Furthermore, within the prevailing ‘biological’ domain, the overlap of subgrouping strategies within the orthopaedic examination remains unexplored.

This course is designed to review the theoretical basis and content of physical movement classification schemes, determine their relative reliability and similarities/differences, and to consider the extent of incorporation of a bio-psycho-social framework within the schemes

What’s in a name?” Juliet asked. Well, when it comes to Low Back Pain, it could be quite significant. There are several classification schemes, each with its own philosophy and categorizing method that are used to subgroup low back pain (LBP) patients.

Physiotherapy derived schemes usually have a movement impairment focus, but the extent to which other biological, psychological, and social factors of pain are encompassed should also be considered.

Furthermore, within the prevailing ‘biological’ domain, the overlap of subgrouping strategies within the orthopaedic examination remains unexplored.

This course is designed to review the theoretical basis and content of physical movement classification schemes, determine their relative reliability and similarities/differences, and to consider the extent of incorporation of a bio-psycho-social framework within the schemes

What interventions do you use to treat spinal pain? Joint mobilisation? Anything else? Do you focus on a specific level? Why? Is there perhaps a better way to do things?

The problem with joint mobilisation is that – on its own – it’s not all that well understood, which could be why it is routinely used in conjunction with other interventions. There is also a great deal of controversy about the role of ‘specific level’ techniques in producing benefit.

This course will examine the effects of a single session of joint mobilization on pain at rest and with most painful movement, and compare the effects when joint mobilization is provided to a specific or non-specific spinal level.

Because low back pain can involve a multitude of factors, how you examine your LBP patients is critical. 

In part 1 of this course, we look at the factors that warrant consideration for their possible presence and role in a patient’s low back disorder.We also pay attention to non-musculoskeletal pathology, mechanical factors, ageing and degeneration, structural anomalies and muscle dysfunction. 

Part 2 covers the objective examination of the lumbar spine and includes observation, interpretation and analysis of active movements, neurological testing, tension tests, manual segmental examination, muscular examination and the interpretation of the conclusion of the examination.

Because low back pain can involve a multitude of factors, how you examine your LBP patients is critical.

In part 1 of this course, we look at the factors that warrant consideration for their possible presence and role in a patient’s low back disorder.We also pay attention to non-musculoskeletal pathology, mechanical factors, ageing and degeneration, structural anomalies and muscle dysfunction.

Part 2 covers the objective examination of the lumbar spine and includes observation, interpretation and analysis of active movements, neurological testing, tension tests, manual segmental examination, muscular examination and the interpretation of the conclusion of the examination.

What role does the muscular system play in the control of activity throughout the body? What are the several causes for abnormal afferent input from the spine? What is the theory behind PNF?

Part 1 of this course provides the theoretical background to PNF. When discussing the use of PNF techniques for the treatment of patients with vertebral disorders, it is wise to consider the abnormal. Part 1 of this course will provide you with everything you need to know about PNF, including muscle physiology and function; neurophysiology and neuropathology of the neuromusculoskeletal system; and the effect of pain on muscle activity. It also provides a review of PNF techniques and their applications.

Part 2 helps you put what you have learned in part one into practice. It is fully illustrated with most of the PNF techniques for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as peripheral joints. All figures contain detailed explanations for the use of each technique. It also covers the effect pain has on muscle activity and how PNF techniques address this problem.

What role does the muscular system play in the control of activity throughout the body? What are the several causes for abnormal afferent input from the spine? What is the theory behind PNF?

Part 1 of this course provides the theoretical background to PNF. When discussing the use of PNF techniques for the treatment of patients with vertebral disorders, it is wise to consider the abnormal. Part 1 of this course will provide you with everything you need to know about PNF, including muscle physiology and function; neurophysiology and neuropathology of the neuromusculoskeletal system; and the effect of pain on muscle activity. It also provides a review of PNF techniques and their applications.

Part 2 helps you put what you have learned in part one into practice. It is fully illustrated with most of the PNF techniques for the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine as well as peripheral joints. All figures contain detailed explanations for the use of each technique. It also covers the effect pain has on muscle activity and how PNF techniques address this problem.

The successful management of chronic low back pain conditions greatly depends on the accurate identification and classification of subgroups within the population who respond to specific interventions. An individual motor learning exercise approach, designed to enhance segmental spinal control for patients with clinical stability, is a logical management strategy for this condition.

The success of this approach depends on the skill and ability of the physiotherapist to accurately identify the clinical pattern and specific motor control dysfunction present and to facilitate the correction of the faulty movement strategies. It will also be greatly influenced by the severity of the patient’s condition and their level of compliance. Research is currently ongoing to determine the validity of the different movement disorders proposed. Evidence for the efficacy of this approach is growing.

The successful management of chronic low back pain conditions greatly depends on the accurate identification and classification of subgroups within the population who respond to specific interventions. An individual motor learning exercise approach, designed to enhance segmental spinal control for patients with clinical stability, is a logical management strategy for this condition.

The success of this approach depends on the skill and ability of the physiotherapist to accurately identify the clinical pattern and specific motor control dysfunction present and to facilitate the correction of the faulty movement strategies. It will also be greatly influenced by the severity of the patient’s condition and their level of compliance. Research is currently ongoing to determine the validity of the different movement disorders proposed. Evidence for the efficacy of this approach is growing.

The successful management of chronic low back pain conditions greatly depends on the accurate identification and classification of subgroups within the population who respond to specific interventions.An individual motor learning exercise approach, designed to enhance segmental spinal control for patients with clinical stability, is a logical management strategy for this condition.

The success of this approach depends on the skill and ability of the physiotherapist to accurately identify the clinical pattern and specific motor control dysfunction present and to facilitate the correction of the faulty movement strategies. It will also be greatly influenced by the severity of the patient’s condition and their level of compliance. Research is currently ongoing to determine the validity of the different movement disorders proposed. Evidence for the efficacy of this approach is growing.

We all know that physical factors impact joint motion. But what factors influence the actual mechanics of the joint? Are they purely “mechanical”, or could something else be at play?

This course briefly outlines the assessment findings and the principles for management of the various factors that impact function of the SIJ. It also provides a comprehensive methodology for the effective management of pelvic pain and dysfunction.

We all know that physical factors impact joint motion. But what factors influence the actual mechanics of the joint? Are they purely “mechanical”, or could something else be at play?

This course briefly outlines the assessment findings and the principles for management of the various factors that impact function of the SIJ. It also provides a comprehensive methodology for the effective management of pelvic pain and dysfunction

Low back pain and leg pain, like love and marriage, usually go together like a horse and carriage. The key for the practitioner is to differentiate between the two in order to make an appropriate diagnosis and identify the underlying pathology.

This course introduces a systematic approach to assist with the diagnosis and classification of LBP patients in order to provide a more effective, appropriate treatment.

Low back pain can be difficult to treat. Management of chronic low back pain and leg pain requires a multifactorial approach. This course will not only help you to identify the underlying causative factors of LBP, but will also provide you with techniques that will enable you to assist patients to increase their active control of the passively unstable and associated areas in a way that will minimise symptom reoccurrences. Add an important modality to your tool box.

This illustrated Dry Needling online course covers the clinical relevance of trigger points in syndromes related to the thoracic lumbar.

Illustration and needling instructions of Dry Needling techniques for the following thoracic lumbar muscles are provided:

• Clinical relevance of trigger points (TrPs) in syndromes related to the trunk

• Dry needling of the trunk muscles

• Longissimus thoracis muscle

• Iliocostalis thoracis and lumborum muscles

• Thoracic and lumbar multifidus muscles

• Serratus posterior inferior muscle

• Quadratus lumborum Rectus abdominus muscle

• External and internal oblique muscles

Their anatomy, function, innervation and contra-indications for Dry Needling are also included.

This illustrated on-line course covers the assessment, interpretation and treatment of the following short/tight muscles:

• Piriformis

• Quadrates lumborum