Demystifying Low Back Pain: Practical Approach to
Diagnosis and Rehab (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Phil Plisky and Kyle Matsel
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This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from those of standard Medbridge courses.
This webinar offers healthcare professionals an in-depth approach to evaluating and treating low back pain through systematic classification system. Focusing on evidence-based techniques, this course equips participants with the skills to identify movement dysfunctions that contribute to low back pain, differentiate between various types of pain presentations, and classify pain using a variety of methods to best diagnose and manage low back pain.
Participants will explore the intricate relationship between movement patterns, core stability, and the biomechanics of the lumbar spine. Emphasis is placed on using a systematic approach to identifying important musculoskeletal impairments to tailor individualized treatment programs that address both acute and chronic low back pain. Advanced topics include the role of the kinetic chain, neuromuscular reeducation, and dynamic stabilization techniques, ensuring participants can create effective long-term solutions for their patients.
This course is ideal for physical therapists, chiropractors, athletic trainers, and other healthcare professionals looking to refine their diagnostic and therapeutic skills for low back pain management. By the end of the webinar, participants will have the knowledge to confidently assess, classify, and manage low back pain using a systematic approach.
Learning Objectives
- Prioritize clinical prediction rules to improve the accuracy of low back pain intervention
- Synthesize the results from functional assessments to categorize deficiencies contributing to low back pain
- Recommend motor control exercises to enhance lumbar spine stability and reduce the risk of recurrence
- Design interventions to address compensations in other joints that contribute to low back pain and dysfunction
- Create neuromuscular reeducation techniques to correct dysfunction associated with low back pain
- Develop treatment plans that are tailored to the specific functional classification of low back pain
Meet your instructors
Phil Plisky
Dr. Phil Plisky is a professor in the University of Evansville’s Doctor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education programs. He is the host of the Medbridge Rehab and Performance Lab Podcast and founder of the Coaches Club at
Kyle Matsel
Dr. Matsel is a tenured associate professor at the University of Evansville, where he teaches in the musculoskeletal content areas of the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Evansville in 2011 and his PhD in rehabilitation sciences from the University…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Introduction and Current State of Low Back Pain
This chapter explores the pervasive impact of low back pain (LBP) on global health, discussing its prevalence, its economic burden, and the challenges clinicians face in providing effective long-term treatment. In response to these challenges, this chapter emphasizes the growing shift toward functional and systematic assessment as a critical component in diagnosing and managing low back pain. Drs. Plisky and Matsel discuss the limitations of traditional approaches and highlight the importance of identifying dysfunctional movement, biomechanical deficiencies, and compensatory mechanisms that contribute to the development and persistence of LBP.
2. Mobility Dysfunction Category
This chapter introduces the diagnostic criteria and treatment focus for the mobility dysfunction. Participants will learn how these mobility dysfunctions alter normal biomechanics, leading to improper load distribution and increased mechanical stress on the lumbar spine. Learners will be guided through the process of identifying and classifying mobility restrictions that may be contributing to low back pain using evidence-based exam techniques and systematic assessment.
3. Direction-Specific Category
This chapter explores the diagnostic criteria and management of the Direction-Specific Exercise category. Participants will learn how to assess repeated movements that exacerbate or alleviate pain and classify patients based on their directional preference. The chapter provides practical guidelines for prescribing targeted exercises to centralize radiating symptoms and quickly integrate movement restoration.
4. Stabilization and Motor Control Category
This chapter focuses on the diagnostic criteria and management of the Lumbar Stabilization and Motor Control category. Participants will explore methods for assessing core stability and motor control using systematic assessments. Evidence-based interventions, including stabilization exercises, neuromuscular reeducation, and motor control retraining are demonstrated to enhance lumbar spine stability and optimize movement.
5. Nociplastic Pain Category
This chapter delves into the Nociplastic category, which refers to pain driven by altered central nervous system processing rather than direct tissue damage or structural dysfunction. Participants will learn to recognize the clinical features of nociplastic pain, such as widespread pain, disproportionate pain responses, and variability in symptoms. The chapter will explore the role of evaluation in distinguishing nociplastic pain from other categories, emphasizing how central sensitization affects motor function and pain perception.
6. Discharge Testing, Risk Factor Management, and Individualizing LBP Treatment
This chapter focuses on discharge testing, a critical step in managing low back pain to ensure patients are fully prepared to resume daily activities or return to sport without risk of recurrence. Participants will learn about key discharge criteria, including range of motion, core stability, movement efficiency, and pain-free function. By mastering discharge testing protocols, clinicians can confidently determine when a patient is ready to complete treatment, while also identifying any residual deficits that may require continued intervention and, ultimately, preventing low back pain recurrence.
7. Question and Answer Session
In this chapter, we'll review and answer the questions asked during the webinar.