The Movement System: Assessment and Treatment of Low Back Pain

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Video Runtime: 76 Minutes, Learning Assessments: 34 Minutes

This course will teach you how to identify movement patterns, faulty alignment, and muscle imbalances in the lumbar spine by analyzing patient movement. You will learn how to use components of the movement system to classify patients with mechanical low back pain. Based on movement classifications, you will utilize corrective exercises to restore normal patient movement.

Additional Content

Additional athlete movement system courses presented by Dr. Jared Vagy include:

The Movement System

The Athlete Movement System

For more information

Meet your instructor

Jared Vagy

Jared Vagy received his doctorate in physical therapy (DPT) from the University of Southern California (USC) and completed a one-year residency in orthopedics and a one-year fellowship in movement science. Dr. Vagy is a clinical assistant professor of physical therapy in the DPT program at USC and is a mentor in both the…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. Introduction to The Movement System

This chapter describes the background and history of Shirley Sahrmann and colleagues, who are the developers of the movement system impairment (MSI) model. You will learn how repeated movements and sustained postures change tissues and movement patterns, causing a joint to develop a susceptibility to movement in a specific direction. You will then learn how to integrate the MSI model into the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) model to create a comprehensive model for physical therapist practice.

2. Excessive Lumbar Flexion

This chapter will introduce the MSI syndrome of lumbar flexion. You will learn the primary movement assessment tests to identify a patient who fits into a lumbar flexion syndrome. This includes primary tests of active lumbar extension, prone hip extension, prone knee flexion, and prone arm and head lift. Based on the results from movement assessments, you will learn corrective exercises to treat the identified movement impairments.

3. Excessive Lumbar Extension

This chapter will introduce the MSI syndrome of lumbar extension. You will learn the primary movement assessment tests to identify a patient who fits into a lumbar extension syndrome. This includes primary tests of active lumbar side bend/rotation, seated hip flexion, supine hip external rotation/abduction, and prone hip internal and external rotation. Based on the results from movement assessments, you will learn corrective exercises to treat the identified movement impairments.

4. Excessive Lumbar Rotation

This chapter will introduce the MSI syndrome of lumbar rotation. You will learn the primary movement assessment tests to identify a patient who fits into a lumbar rotation syndrome. This includes primary tests of active lumbar flexion, seated knee extension, supine hip and knee flexion, and quadruped rock back. Based on the results from movement assessments, you will learn corrective exercises to treat the identified movement impairments.

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