Low back pain is the #1 cause of disability globally — and yet, athletes with pain are often told to stop doing the very thing that keeps them healthy: lifting.

This CEU course teaches you how to confidently assess, treat, and load athletes with low back pain using a checklist-based clinical framework. Learn how to progress from acute mechanical symptoms to full return to deadlifts, squats, and performance — without fear-based avoidance or generic rehab protocols.

What You'll Learn:

  • The “bucket” system: categorize 90% of low back pain cases with a simplified checklist

  • How to screen nerve function vs neurodynamic sensitivity using clinical tools

  • How to assess and improve active spinal stiffness and energy transfer

  • Manual therapy techniques including HVLA for pain modulation and athlete buy-in

  • Load reintegration strategies using the 50% Rule and compression testing

  • Modifications for performance: pin squats, tempo, and barbell variations that keep athletes training

Course curriculum

    1. Before we begin...

    2. Spine Rx Course Notes

    1. Lesson 1.1 - Introduction to Spine Pain in Lifters

    2. Lesson 1.2 - Lumbar Differential Diagnosis

    3. Lesson 1.3 - Mechanical

    4. Lesson 1.4 - Radiculopathy (Disc Herniation)

    5. Lesson 1.5 - Radiculopathy (Stenosis)

    6. Lesson 1.6 - Central Disc Herniation

    7. Lesson 1.7 - Central Stenosis

    8. Lesson 1.8 - Intermittent Claudication

    1. Lesson 2.1 - Lumbar ROM

    2. Lesson 2.2 - Lumbar Accessory Testing

    3. Lesson 2.3 - Nervous Tissue Testing

    4. Lesson 2.4 - Strength & Performance Assessment

    1. Lesson 3.1 - Prone Thoracic Manipulations

    2. Lesson 3.2 - Supine Thoracic Manipulations

    3. Lesson 3.3 - Lumbar Gapping

    4. Lesson 3.4 - Mobilization with Movement Examples

    1. Lesson 4.1 - Considerations for Neurologic Treatment

    2. Lesson 4.2 - Considerations for Neurodynamic Treatment

    1. Lesson 5.1 - Physics

    2. Lesson 5.2 - Applied Science

    3. Lesson 5.3 - Energy Leaks & Spinal Stiffness

    4. Lesson 5.4 - Rehabilitation Considerations

    5. Lesson 5.5 - How to Warm Up

    6. Lesson 5.6 - Loading Preparation

    7. Lesson 5.7 - Exercise Modifications & Working Around Pain

    8. Lesson 5.8 - Bracing Preparation: Hooklying Bracing

    9. Lesson 5.9 - Bracing Preparation: Quadratus Femoris in Standing

    10. Lesson 5.10 - Bracing Preparation: Squat

About this course

  • $159.99
  • 51 lessons
  • 3.5 hours of video content

The Load-Based Spine Framework

This course applies the philosophy of progressive load reintegration — not avoidance. You’ll learn how to build back athletes using real data, active assessments, and strength-based progressions grounded in biomechanics.

Topics include:

  • Active vs passive spinal stiffness

  • Energy leaks and poor load transfer

  • Why “no lifting” is outdated advice

  • How to reintroduce axial loading without regression

Who This Course is For:

  • Physical therapists treating barbell athletes or recreational lifters

  • Strength coaches guiding rehab through return-to-performance

  • Trainers managing clients post-disc injury or chronic low back pain

  • Rehab professionals tired of “non-specific” pain diagnoses

  • Any movement specialist seeking a clinical system for spinal rehab

What You’ll Gain:

  • A checklist-style diagnostic system for low back pain

  • Confidence in using load, not fear, as a primary intervention

  • Tools for manual therapy, spinal stability, and exercise progression

  • Real-world case applications — from acute disc injury to full barbell return

Discover your potential, starting today

Enroll today