(For physicians and nurse practitioners only)

As part of our commitment to providing the most up-to-date evidence-based spine assessments, we are once again offering this continuing education course to Ottawa physicians, nurse practitioners, physicians in the sport medicine community, and the sport medicine fellows completing the University of Ottawa Sport and Exercise Medicine Program.

This course is being offered to create a greater understanding of effective spine assessments and best-practice treatment planning. While the focus is a sport medicine setting, the mechanical tests presented will apply to many conditions seen in the general population.

There is no fee for this course. This course may be submitted for noncertified Mainpro credits and this course is not sponsored by any pharmaceutical companies or affiliate.

Date:                                            

Friday, March 24th, 2023: 12:30pm - 4:00pm

Cost:                                            

There is no course fee. This seminar is free for physicians and nurse practitioners.

SPINE POSTERPresenter:

Richard Gregory, CAT(C), D.O.M.P., R.Kin
Certified Athletic Therapist, Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, Registered Kinesiologist. (Read more about the presenter here)

Course Description:

This hands-on presentation will review the relevant anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology of spine conditions (including: disc degeneration, osseous foramenal/canal stenosis, acquired foramenal/canal stenosis, vertebral instability, spondylolisthesis/spondylolysis, intra-discal nerve ingrowth, end plate fracture, etc.) We will review pain types associated with each condition and identify key questions for the history taking. Visual and practical presentations will demonstrate the appropriate in-clinic special tests related to each pathology. Discussion of each test will include the relative specificity, reliability and validity as they pertain to the different spine pathologies. There will be time for questions and case studies.  Printed handouts and a digital copy of the presentation will be provided.

There will be discussion of the limitation of supine conventional vs loaded functional MRI. Participants will learn evidence based assessment protocols to guide treatment planning with or without imaging.  

Course Objectives:

Give participants a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisims of mechanical back pain.

Identify key questions to ask during the history taking.

Learn to quickly recognize dysfunctional curves in spinal segments and significant movement limitations during clinic visits.

Formulate an index of suspicion/differential diagnosis in a shorter period of time.

Provide a range of management options for patients including evidence-based self-help books, clinic referral resources and in-person rehabilitation.

Reduce unnecessary imaging requests, emergency room visits, and use of the out-dated term “non-specific low back pain”.

Registration is full.

If you have questions about this course, or would like to register for a wait list, please email .