Contemporary Approach to Low Back Pain - NAT Diploma Course

Course Description

This (7-10 hour) self-paced online course is for therapists who wish to broaden their skills in the treatment of low back pain. 

Divided into 4 detailed modules with 33 (4K) video classes the course is supported by comprehensive and fully illustrated text (280 pages) which covers: biopsychosocial model, subjective assessment, objective assessment, special tests, clinical reasoning, treatment planning and application, comprehensive case study.

The course exam and certification are completed online.

Course Objectives 

The aim of this course and guide is to try to bridge the gap between the old and new models of looking at low back pain, in a user-friendly manner and according to my experience — with a little personal opinion thrown in, for what it is worth. Because we are all in this together, so to speak, it is not presented in the third person, hopefully not too dry, and clearly full of clichés.

For many years, LBP was considered via a biomedical model whereby pain is a result of a problem at a specific site or structure. Therefore, by addressing a specific painful area with a specific technique, the problem should decrease—the idea being that “If I push here, and it hurts, then this structure must be responsible, so if I push it in this direction, it will eventually hurt less”. This theory has recently become less supported empirically.

While aspects of the biomedical model may be relevant in some situations, a newer biopsychosocial model (BPS) of assessment and treatment has been suggested and come into vogue. This model, conceptualized by George Engel in 1977, suggests we need to look at a person’s medical condition by considering biological, psychological, and social factors. The various components of this model may be defined as follows:

Bio = Physiological and/or pathological elements
Psycho = Thoughts, beliefs, emotional, behavior, distress, fear, and coping methods
Social = Socio-economic, socio-environmental, cultural, work issues, family influences, benefits, and economics

Sadly, as is often the case when a new idea or concept enters the arena (although this model is far from new), the tendency is to adopt the bits that are new and comfortable at the expense of the old — often dismissing the old as irrelevant. This may be more noticeable when people are trying to make a name for themselves, which is rarely helpful — along with the guruism that follows it. In my humble opinion, it is always worthwhile combining the good from both. Fortunately, to some extent, this return of the pendulum has started to happen.

This course aims to assist in that, by looking at a common dysfunction and problem that can often be contentious—low back pain.

About the Course Presenter

Paul Townley holds a Masters Degree (MSc) in Neuromusculoskeletal medicine, and is a member of the Manipulative Association of Chartered Physiotherapists and the International Federation of Manipulative Therapy.

Paul is qualified as an ESP (Extended Scope Practitioner) and a university lecturer and teacher in the United Kingdom. Paul is the holder of the prestigious Elsevier Science Prize for Commitment to Education.

In a career spanning more than two decades Paul has worked with elite athletes (including as Physiotherapist for Crystal Palace FC - EPL) and has provided specialist physiotherapy services and consultancy to the military.

What's Included?

Suitability

Manual Therapists, Massage Therapists, Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Occupational Therapists, Trigger Point Therapists, Body Workers, Athletic Trainers, Exercise and Fitness Professionals.