The Back School

Learning about the back is a fundamental aspect of managing back pain.

For Some, the Back School is the first component of lifelong conservative management. For others, it provides an immediate solution for an acute need. As an educational tool, the Back School offers participants the vital information they need to minimize their risk of future episodes of back pain.

This multipart curriculum begins by providing patients with a basic understanding of anatomy, posture, and biomechanics in both normal and diseased spines. With the help of audiovisual supports and spine models that depict normal curvature and alignment, participants develop an advanced understanding of their backs.

Students are then introduced to spinal-stabilization and pelvic-strengthening exercises. At this point in the curriculum, participants are actively involved in a posture and body mechanics lab, where they learn proper spine positioning in a variety of functional activities.

A full understanding of the concept of "neutral spine" is a critical element in the most advanced portion of the curriculum. Dynamic activities incorporating learned concepts in tasks requiring lifting, pushing, and pulling become the focus. Most importantly, graduates demonstrate a practical, spontaneous application of principles learned throughout the program.