Physical Therapy Management of the Patient with Low Back Pain - a Case-Based Motor Control Approach

Course overview

This webinar is designed to meet the continuing education needs of physical therapists and physical therapist assistants, as established by your accreditation body. Focused on the latest evidence - based practices in evaluation and rehabilitation of low back pain and injuries, the program will equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage patient care throughout the rehabilitation journey. The program starts with a review of lumbar spine anatomy, includes differential diagnosis, and outlines the different phases of a rehabilitation program based on pattern recognition for the different sub-types of low back pain. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of choosing and applying appropriate evaluation tests and measures, as well as sort through the appropriate application of specific therapeutic interventions based on the details of patient presentation. Pain management strategies, patient education, neurological and motor control re-education, therapeutic exercise, functional training and appropriate mobility and strengthening exercises will be covered. Furthermore, the program emphasizes the critical role of motor control in the evaluation and rehabilitation of low back pain, and its impact on movement patterns. This ensures participants can design rehabilitation programs that not only address physical limitations but also promote optimal neuromuscular control and core stability for building improved functional mobility, as is recommended by current research on rehabilitation of patients with LBP. Lastly, the course will include significant time spent on a case-based approach to patient care to allow participants to practice the knowledge they have learned. The patient case portion of the course will include diverse patient cases that will help the learner to process evaluation data and synthesize an appropriate treatment plan using real-world examples of actual patient presentation. Participants will leave this course with actionable skills that they can take with them to the clinic and begin using immediately. By participating in this course, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants will be empowered to: Perform a thorough patient history that is specific to the needs of a patient with low back pain. - Perform an organized quick scanning examination for the patient complaining of low back pain that is focused on efficiently compiling objective information for the purpose of pattern recognition. - Differentially diagnose and recognize categories of low back pain and dysfunction based on patient demographics, history, pain presentation and objective findings using the Treatment Based Classification System. - Develop holistic, individualized rehabilitation programs for the patient with low back pain that aligns with the Integrated Systems Model and is based on the evaluation findings, pattern diagnosis, specific patient needs and functional limitations. - Understand how to optimize the addition of manual therapy techniques for the patient with low back pain, with a focus on removing barriers to optimal recovery and utilizing a test-retest model. - Progress patients with low back pain through a rehabilitation program, incorporating core muscle activation, neuromuscular re-education and motor control exercises for improved function. - Foster a collaborative approach to care for the patient with low back pain, working effectively with the referring provider and patients to achieve the best possible outcomes.