Course Overview
Spine Management Physical Therapy Continuing Education
Spine-related complaints represent a large portion of most clinicians’ caseloads, yet they remain some of the most inconsistently evaluated and managed conditions in practice. Too often, care is driven by isolated findings, rigid diagnoses, or exercise selection that outpaces clinical certainty, leading to confusion for both the clinician and the patient.
This online course is designed for rehabilitation professionals who want a clearer, more consistent framework for evaluating and managing spine-related pain. Emphasis is placed on clinical reasoning, symptom behavior, and pattern recognition rather than memorization of special tests or protocols.
The course walks learners through common spine-related patterns using case examples, including extension intolerance, Cloward’s referral patterns, lumbar and cervical neurodynamic presentations, rib-related pain, and myofascial pain. Foundational concepts such as the body chart, subjective examination, irritability, and exercise selection are integrated throughout. Through online learning, community discussion, and weekly live meetings, instructors will review cases, answer questions, and help clinicians apply these concepts confidently in practice.
Format
- 8 weeks long – 2 hours/week commitment
- Lifetime access to course & online community
- Live video conference calls take place weekly to discuss content and dive deeper into the material. These meetings take place on Tuesdays at 8 PM EST and are recorded if you cannot attend live. While live attendance is optional, you will be responsible for viewing the recording afterwards as you will be assessed on the content discussed
Schedule
Week Zero (Course Start Date)
Course Orientation
Week One: ESTABLISHING THE FRAMEWORK
Irritability, process, and pattern-based thinking
Week Two: SHARPENING THE HYPOTHESIS
Body chart, subjective & objective exams
Week Three: USING EXERCISE WITH A PURPOSE
When to test, calm, or load
Week Four: EXTENSION INTOLERANCE
Applying the three buckets to a common clinical pattern
Week Five: CLOWARD’S REFERRAL
Understanding & managing scapular pain presentations
Week Six: BACK-RELATED LEG PAIN
Differentiating lumbar vs. neurodynamic drivers
Week Seven: THE MOBILITY-LIMITED NECK
Recognizing & treating the stiff cervical spine
Week Eight: HEADACHE & JAW PAIN
Integrating cervical & trigeminal influences
Objectives
- Identify common patterns of spine-related pain based on symptom behavior and body chart presentation.
- Describe how aggravating factors, intensity, latency, and duration of symptoms influence clinical decision-making.
- Develop a structured subjective examination to efficiently gather information that guides hypothesis generation.
- Utilize the body chart to recognize meaningful patterns and prioritize potential drivers of symptoms.
- Differentiate between common spine-related presentations including extension intolerance, Cloward’s referral patterns, neurodynamic presentations, rib-related pain, and myofascial pain.
- Design an examination process that is adaptable based on irritability and patient presentation.
- Select and prioritize examination findings that meaningfully influence treatment decisions.
- Implement a pattern-based approach to intervention selection early in the plan of care.
- Define principles of exercise selection that align with irritability, symptom behavior, and clinical goals.
- Design exercise strategies that test, calm, or load the system without confounding the clinical picture.
- Progress and regress interventions appropriately based on patient response over time.
- Develop plans of care that evolve as patterns become more clear and patient presentation changes.
- Apply clinical reasoning to determine when to emphasize mobility, symptom modulation, or progressive loading.
FAQs
Are there any prerequisites for this course?
There are no formal prerequisites. This course is designed to meet clinicians where they are. That said, prior exposure to ICE live courses such as Cervical Spine, Lumbar Spine, Total Spine Thrust, or Extremity Management will provide helpful context and may enhance your learning experience.
Who is this course designed for?
This course is designed for rehabilitation professionals who want to improve their ability to evaluate and manage spine-related pain. It is appropriate for both newer clinicians looking to build a strong foundation and experienced clinicians who want a more consistent, pattern-based approach.
How is the course structured?
This is an 8-week online course that combines asynchronous learning with weekly live sessions. Each week includes video content, case-based learning, and a short quiz to reinforce key concepts. Live sessions are used to review cases, answer questions, and apply clinical reasoning in real time.
What if I can’t attend the live sessions?
All live sessions are recorded and made available to participants. While attending live is encouraged for discussion and Q&A, you will still be able to engage with the material and keep up with the course if you need to watch recordings.
Will this course focus on specific techniques or protocols?
No. The primary focus of this course is developing clinical reasoning. Rather than memorizing techniques or protocols, you will learn how to identify patterns, interpret symptom behavior, and make more confident decisions about evaluation and treatment.
How quickly can I apply this in the clinic?
Immediately. The course is designed around common clinical presentations and practical decision-making, so you will be able to apply concepts from each week directly into patient care.
Is this course appropriate if I don’t primarily treat spine patients?
Yes. Spine-related complaints show up across a wide range of patient populations. Even if you do not consider yourself a “spine specialist,” this course will help you better recognize and manage patterns that are already present in your caseload.
Additional Information
PREREQUISITES
- None
EDUCATION LEVEL
- Entry-level
