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Level 4 lower back pain course

Discover clinically proven exercise-based strategies to support clients suffering from a range of low back pain disorders

low back pain specialist with spine
low back pain specialist with spine

Low back pain specialist instructor course

Discover evidence-based exercise and lifestyle-based interventions that better support clients with a wide range of low back disorders.

  • Completely flexible:

    available with online and attended study options to suit everyone

  • Cutting-edge clinical content:

    delivered by a leading clinical doctor with decades of applied and clinical experience in this area

  • Internationally recognised:

    certificated by Active IQ and is CIMSPA and ACSM recognised

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Book your place for only £100 deposit

Book your place for only £100 deposit

Choose Your Study Method

£495


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Payment Options

  • Pay in full

    Total payable £470.25 5% discount £24.75
  • 6 month payment plan

    1 x £70 and 5 x £65 Minimum deposit £100 Total payable £495
  • Military approved

    Enhanced Learning Credits Resettlement Contact our Careers Team for more information

Enrol Now, Train Later

Enrol today and book your training days at a later date.

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Enrol Now, Train Later

For our attended and virtual courses, if you don't know your availability right now but you want to get started, no problem...

With our enrol now, train later facility, you can:

  • Start your learning today
  • Select your attendance later
  • Get full access to all your materials
  • Complete your online assessments
  • Get full support from our team
  • Make good progress towards completion

Note: You'll have 12 months from your enrolment date to book your course dates.

This facility is provided in-line with our Terms of Business

£395


Close

Payment Options

  • Pay in full

    Total payable £375.25 5% discount £19.75
  • 6 month payment plan

    1 x £50 and 5 x £49 Minimum deposit £100 Total payable £395
  • Military approved

    Enhanced Learning Credits Resettlement Contact our Careers Team for more information

Course overview:
Level 4 lower back pain qualification

Low back pain is a growing national health problem with both incidence and prevalence levels soaring. With our advanced level 4 'low back pain exercise specialist' qualification, you'll discover clinically proven strategies for managing low back pain conditions that will help your clients to live a more pain free lifestyle.

Low back pain is a major public health concern. According to data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), millions of working days are lost every year to its effects. In the UK , the British Pain Society report low back pain is the leading cause of disability and it’s estimated that 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Historically, there has been a great deal of misinformation about effective treatments for managing low back pain, especially when it comes to which exercise approaches are most effective. Most fitness instructors and personal trainers are ill equipped to support clients affected by acute or chronic low back pain, which is precisely the reason why this qualification has been created.

If you want to get the latest evidence-based knowledge, skills and strategies supporting clients with low back pain then this qualification is for you.

Throughout the course, you’ll learn a wide-range of contemporary theory subjects and practical tools and activities that will allow you to develop the necessary knowledge and understanding to be able to understand the pathological, occupational, biomechanical and psychosocial factors contributing to your client’s back pain symptoms.

Performing an appropriate level and type of exercise and physical activity is the key to recovery from low back pain, including safeguarding against future incidences. Exercise professionals need to understand why certain exercises exacerbate a client’s condition, while others improve it. This accounts for a huge focus with this low back pain course.

This is an advanced-level qualification that is well suited to personal trainers, Pilates teachers or yoga professionals looking to tailor their services to clients affected by low back pain.

  • Entry requirements

    To achieve this qualification you must hold a valid Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral. If you don't already have this, then you could consider combining it with this qualification with our Low Back Pain - Exercise Specialist Package.

  • Learning materials

    You'll receive all the study materials and learning resources you need to complete this low back pain specialism. You'll get a comprehensive student manual containing all the knowledge, access to our Learner Engagement System (LES), and online lectures presented by Dr Stuart Porter. If you really want to become a low back pain specialist, then watching the online lectures and taking diligent notes is how you'll really excel because this content is truly ahead of anything else in the sector.

  • Career and progression

    Once qualified, a number of employment and career opportunities open up for you. A popular path to consider is working in a formal exercise referral scheme, providing specialist advice and instruction to patients suffering from low back pain/disorders. Alternatively, you could partner with physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths or other specialists operating in this field, forming a multi-disciplinary scheme where you can provide more specific and applied support for patients.

    If you're a PT, Pilates teacher or Yoga professional, you can even run dedicated classes or services for clients with low back pain.

  • Attended vs. online study options

    The attended and online versions of this qualification include the exact same in terms of the teaching, learning materials and assessments, and on completion, students of both pathways will receive the exact same level 4 qualification.

    With the attended programme, you'll complete the course in more of a blended format, combining a period of home-study learning (typically 6-8 weeks) with a 2-days intensive practical training course that is delivered from one of our regional venues. During the practical workshops, you'll learn how to apply all the knowledge you have acquired practically to support your clients better manage their low back pain. With this pathway, you will also complete your practical assessment during the course.

    With the online programme, you'll complete all the theory and practical learning online and on-demand, learning at your own pace and then connecting with your learning support tutor whenever you need a little extra help or support. While the course is rich in video and interactive learning content, you will receive print and digital copies of your training manuals. When you feel ready, you will need to complete your practical assessments remotely, recording yourself teaching a suitable 'back care' exercise session to a client that will benefit from your services. This session ill normally be delivered in whatever area you are qualified (e.g. gym, studio, yoga, Pilates, outdoors).

Payment Options

As a provider with a reputation for training excellence, it is vital to us that we deliver programmes with exceptional quality, flexibility and accessibility.

Our many years of experience in the fitness industry have enabled us to develop a lower back pain qualification which is rich in information and fair in price.

Special Offers, Discounts and Deals

We are committed to quality, fairness and transparency, which is why we openly list our course prices on our website for all to see. We don’t engage in discounting, bargaining or deal-making and our price promise ensures that all our students pay the same fair price for their training and qualifications.

AttendedOnline

Pay in Full

£470

Get a 5% prompt payment discount
when you pay your fees in full.

Buy Now, Pay Later

£495

Term: 6 months

Buy now and pay later with
our INTEREST FREE payment plans.

ELCAS Points

20% deposit: £99

This programme can be funded with
MOD enhanced learning credits.

Purchase Order

£495

Provide a purchase order on enrolment
and settle the invoice within 30 days*

*Only available for business bookings and subject to the appropriate due diligence.

Pay in Full

£375

Get a 5% prompt payment discount
when you pay your fees in full.

Buy Now, Pay Later

£395

Term: 6 months

Buy now and pay later with
our INTEREST FREE payment plans.

ELCAS Points

20% deposit: £79

This programme can be funded with
MOD enhanced learning credits.

Purchase Order

£395

Provide a purchase order on enrolment
and settle the invoice within 30 days*

*Only available for business bookings and subject to the appropriate due diligence.

Choose your study method

Our level 4 low back pain courses are incredibly flexible. Whether you want to attend one of our regional training venues to complete the practical learning, or complete everything online in a self-paced on-demand format, we've got you covered. Both study methods are packed with a wide-range of cutting-edge knowledge and skills training to ensure you truly get your career as a low back pain exercise specialist off to a flying start.

Attended LBP Courses

Our attended courses combine around 6-weeks of supported home learning with an intensive 2-days practical workshop delivered from one of our regional training venues. Throughout your home-study, you’ll receive ongoing support from our team of experiences learning tutors.

low back pain tutor teaching bird dog exercise

Online LBP Courses

Our online low back pain qualification offers the perfect solution if you’re struggling to commit to an attended course. This is a fully online and self-placed course in which you'll complete all the theory and practical elements online under the guidance of our expert support tutors.

digital LBP learning materials

Payment options

Here at HFE, we have a longstanding reputation for quality training, flexibility, and an outstanding learning support service. Our training courses are competitively priced and we have a number of flexible and innovative payment solutions, making it easier than ever to achieve your qualifications.

Special offers, deals and discounts

We understand that there are a handful of training providers that don’t show the price of their courses on their website, or who are prepared to bargain, price match and discount with customers to secure a sale. In reality, every student pays a different rate for these products. We’re committed to the highest standards of quality and we won’t compromise these standards to sell a few more places. Our courses are backed by our price promise and we value all our customers equally; that’s why everyone pays the same fair price, without exception.

AttendedOnline

Pay in Full

£470

Get a 5% prompt payment discount
when you pay your fees in full.

Buy Now, Pay Later

£495

Term: 6 months

Buy now and pay later with
our INTEREST FREE payment plans.

ELCAS Points

20% deposit: £99

This programme can be funded with
MOD enhanced learning credits.

Purchase Order

£495

Provide a purchase order on enrolment
and settle the invoice within 30 days*

*Only available for business bookings and subject to the appropriate due diligence.

Pay in Full

£375

Get a 5% prompt payment discount
when you pay your fees in full.

Buy Now, Pay Later

£395

Term: 6 months

Buy now and pay later with
our INTEREST FREE payment plans.

ELCAS Points

20% deposit: £79

This programme can be funded with
MOD enhanced learning credits.

Purchase Order

£395

Provide a purchase order on enrolment
and settle the invoice within 30 days*

*Only available for business bookings and subject to the appropriate due diligence.

We're all about support

Here at HFE we're all about fantastic support and our Learning Support team are at the heart of our operations. Every day, our amazing support team help hundreds of students with their learning, simplifying complex subjects, helping them better navigate their course content, preparing for exams and providing practical solutions to course and career-related matters. When you train with HFE, this is the sort of learning support service you can expect.

Some of the more common ways we support students includes:

  • Phone

  • Email

  • Video call

  • Webinar

Support tutor at whiteboard

One low back pain qualification.
Unlimited possibilities.

Join an elite group of exercise professionals who have achieved the highest of professional standards. many of our graduates are now working in and with some of the UK's leading health and fitness operators.

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What you'll learn

This is an advanced level fitness industry qualification designed for fitness instructors and personal trainers that are committed to operating in-line with the highest levels of professional practice. As such, the qualification covers a multitude of complex anatomical, biomechanical, pathological and policy-related subjects, some of which have been listed below.

  • Incidence, prevalence and classification of LBP

    The prevalence and trends of low back pain
    National and global costs of low back pain
    Classification models
    Risk factors for low back pain
    Psychosocial factors affecting low back pain
    Occupational factors affecting low back pain
    Other contributory factors for low back pain
    Professionals involved in low back pain care

  • Pathophysiology of LBP

    Anatomical causes of low back pain
    Pathophysiology of low back pain
    Specific pathologies and conditions
    Psychosocial considerations in low back pain
    Signs and symptoms of structural dysfunction
    Biomedical and biopsychosocial models
    Medication and implications for exercise
    Stress and low back pain

  • Anatomy and kinesiology of LBP

    Structure of the spinal column
    Specific spinal landmarks
    Motions of the lumbar spine
    Spinal kinematics and dysfunction
    Muscles of the spine
    Ligaments and connective tissues of the spine
    Intervertebral disc functions
    Spinal imbibition and disc nourishment
    Nerves of the spine

  • Planning exercise for LBP clients

    The role of exercise and physical activity
    Benefits of movement in the spine
    Spine hygiene techniques
    Designing functional movement programmes
    Progressive and regressive exercise options
    Managing and controlling risk in exercise
    Modifying exercise techniques
    National guidance on exercise for low back pain

  • Teaching exercise to LBP clients

    Screening and consultation techniques
    Goal setting and motivational interviewing
    Core bracing techniques
    Performing functional assessments
    McGill's big 3 for low back pain
    Flexibility vs stability in low back pain
    Contraindicated low back pain exercises

Dr Stuart Porter leading Low Back Pain lecture on iPhone screen

*Images and videos are for illustration purposes and may not depict specific course materials.

How you'll be assessed

Your knowledge and understanding of a wide range of subjects related to low back pain and exercise will be assessed throughout this qualification via a number of pieces of coursework, including worksheet sand a case study. Your understanding, and ability to apply this practically in an exercise environment to help and support your clients manage their symptoms and condition will be assessed via a practical assessment, where you'll need to teach a range of therapeutic and functional exercises that address your client's deficits.

Theory assessments are completed from home, whereas practical assessments are completed on course. You'll receive full guidance on all of these assessments from our Course Tutors and Learning Support Team.

assessment video iphone
50%

Coursework

  • Various LBP worksheets
  • Programming LBP case-study
  • Completed and submitted online
50%

Practical

  • Screening and consultation
  • Programming exercise for LBP
  • Teaching exercise to LBP clients

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