Lumbar Spine Pain: Integrative Assessment & Treatment

This two-day course, led by Dr. Thomas Lotus and Dr. Demetry Assimakopoulos, offers healthcare professionals an in-depth look into diagnosing and treating lumbar spine disorders and chronic pain. Designed for those who evaluate and treat patients with low back pain, this 16-hour program integrates contemporary pain science, biomechanical assessment, mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT), and psychosocial considerations into a cohesive, evidence-based framework for clinical decision-making.

Participants will explore the multifactorial nature of lumbar spine pain, including nociceptive, neuropathic, and centrally mediated mechanisms. The course emphasizes effective, structured assessment methods to identify key pain patterns and patient phenotypes. Through a combination of lectures, interactive case studies, and extensive hands-on labs, clinicians will practice repeated movement testing, classification principles, and targeted treatment strategies rooted in MDT and mechanistic reasoning.

Emphasis is placed on integrating red flag screening, behavioral and cognitive contributors to pain, and functional outcome tracking to create comprehensive, patient-centered care plans. By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped to apply practical assessment tools, communicate more effectively with patients, and select individualized interventions that promote recovery, reduce disability, and enhance long-term function. This course is ideal for practicing DCs, PTs, DOs, and other medical professionals interested in non-surgical spine care.

• -Explain the epidemiology of lumbar spine pain and key concepts from contemporary pain science.
• -Identify red flags, pain mechanisms, and psychosocial factors affecting lumbar spine presentations.
• -Perform a structured lumbar assessment using repeated movement testing and MDT-based evaluation.
• -Classify lumbar pain presentations to guide targeted, evidence-based intervention strategies.
• -Apply MDT principles, including directional preference and force progression, in clinical treatment.
• -Integrate biomechanical, neurophysiological, and psychosocial information into individualized care plans.
• -Communicate assessment findings and pain science concepts effectively to improve patient understanding and engagement.