2 hr 20 min

We kick off the course by discussing our evaluation framework. This covers subjective questions to guide objective exam, how to rule out sinister pathology, rule in/out competing potential regions of contribution, relevant objective testing in light of the subjective exam, and communicating findings and treatment targets. We then go through a literature review on pain neuroscience education and teach you how to implement these principles into practice. 

1hr 50 min

Next, we will dig into evaluating and treating chronic low back pain, incorporating the latest evidence of modern pain neuroscience and how it applies to working with barbell athletes in pain. We examine behavior change and healthy lifestyle factors that may assist in mediating successful outcomes and explore graded exercise and pacing strategies to facilitate tolerance to meaningful activities based on patient’s goals. Putting it all together, we discuss modifiable factors for the bench, overhead press, squat, and deadlift for patients with chronic low back pain.

2 hr 40 min

Let's talk about managing acute low back pain. In this module, we explore prevalence, prognosis, guidelines across the globe, disc and nerve pathomechanics, screening for red flags, interventions and self management strategies. We then cover modifiable factors for the bench, overhead press, squat, and deadlift, providing guidelines for helping barbell athletes optimally navigate this situation.

1 hr 50 min

Next up is neck pain. We examine the role of symptom modification, mechanisms at play, neurodynamics, radiculopathy, and how to manage neck & arm pain in barbell athletes as well as unpacking unique factors that apply to our 4-Step Framework for Training with Pain. We will unpack modifiable factors for the bench, overhead press, squat and deadlift. 

2 hr 30 min

Now onto the shoulder.  We highlight common presentations (stiff, weak, and mobile shoulders) and how they may manifest in barbell athletes as well as unpack unique factors that apply to each. We explore prevalence, prognosis, guidelines across the globe, interventions and self management strategies, and how this will influence our modifiable factors for the bench, overhead press, squat and deadlift.

2 hr 20 min

Let's talk about all things tendinopathy. Clinicians will learn a brief historical perspective of tendinopathy etiology/management, diagnostic/prognostic considerations, the current evidence base  for commonly used exercise/non-exercise interventions, and practical recommendations for strength training modifications in the presence of tendinopathy. Special considerations for return to plyometric loads/training and in-season management of tendinopathy, among others, will be discussed. Workload management principles/frameworks will be discussed alongside pertinent research.

2 hr 7 min

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome and symptomatic labral pathology are common diagnoses related to non-arthritic hip pain, especially in athletes with significant rotational sporting loads. Clinicians will learn the base-rates of these imaging findings in different populations, diagnostic/prognostic considerations, the current evidence base for commonly used exercise/non-exercise interventions, and practical recommendations for strength training modifications in the presence of FAI syndrome or symptomatic labral pathology. Special considerations for reconditioning/return to sport and post-surgical management following debridement and/or labral repair, among others, will be discussed.

2 hr 40 min

Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee is relatively common in athletes, with subsequent reconstruction (ACLR) being the most common management strategy. Rehabilitation quality for athletes returning to sport following ACL reconstruction is often lacking at early, mid, and late timepoints. In this module, clinicians will learn about the etiology of ACL injuries, management priorities during the early, middle, and late phases following ACLR; and practical recommendations for strength training modifications during each phase of ACLR. Special considerations for reconditioning/return to sport and conservative management of ACL injuries, among others, will be discussed.