Scientific Back Training

This comprehensive correspondence course is intended for serious strength and conditioning specialists, rehabilitation specialists and personal trainers. The course reviews and analyzes the biomechanical intricacies of stabilization exercises as a necessary prerequisite to general strengthening of torso musculature for patients, the general public and athletes. This information is essential for preventing repetitive stress disorders that lead to injury. The synergistic interaction of muscle groups in performing complex frontal, transverse and sagittal plane movements are explained and assessments practiced. Technique flaws, harmful to spinal structures, that encourage postural degeneration are exposed, addressed and countermanded to reestablish optimal function. Phase 1, 2 and 3 spinal rehabilitation, stabilization and strength exercises are demonstrated, with variations and detailed technical cues.

• How the functional anatomy of the torso, extremities and inner and outer unit relationships relate to spinal health.
• The biomechanical intricacies of trunk stabilization and the importance of strong back stabilization.
• How to use a control system approach as part of a comprehensive, holistic program for prevention and resolution of back pain.
• How to perform a joint range of motion assessment on the lower extremities and how joint restriction effects squat technique.
• How to apply principles of functional anatomy when selecting stretches and exercises for preventing and alleviating back pain.
• Proper exercise technique, exercise selection, order of application and exercise modifications for effective program development.

Having covered these seldom considered, but critical aspects of program design, you will learn to build base and specific conditioning programs for everyone from the injured worker to elite athletes. This course is intended for the experienced exercise and rehabilitation professional with a serious desire to develop the best possible conditioning programs.

What is the grade required to pass?

The passing grade for all correspondence courses is 80%. A Certificate of Completion with CECs and CEUs will be sent once you have successfully passed the test.

How long will it take to complete?

CHEK Institute recommendation – 18 hours

This is dependent on the person taking the course and the reasons they are taking it. Some people only needing Continuing Education Credits will watch the videos once through and successfully pass the test. Other people who are more interested in learning the information or are interested in taking it as a prerequisite for the CHEK Exercise Coach Program will sometimes watch the videos 2-3 times through. Given that there are over 10 hours of video in this course, it will take at least this long to complete. All this being said, we recommend that someone spend 18 hours studying the course materials prior to taking the test.

Does this overlap with Scientific Core Conditioning?

No. Though there is a small amount of information overlap with regard to anatomy since back and abdominal musculature are considered part of the “core”, the vast majority of the information in these courses varies greatly. For example, Scientific Back Training focuses on quantitative assessments (i.e. joint range of motion) while Scientific Core Conditioning contains qualitative assessments (i.e. TVA function). Also, Scientific Back Training contains exercises focusing primarily on the back musculature while Scientific Core Conditioning has exercises ranging from abdominal isolation exercises to dynamic core integration exercises.

There are a lot of questions on the test. Is it hard?

Thousands of people, some with extremely limited knowledge in anatomy or exercise, have passed the first and second editions of this course successfully. Occasionally there are a few individuals who do not pass the test the first time, but once it has been graded and sent back to them, they receive a list of questions they marked incorrectly and have an opportunity to correct their errors for successful completion of the course. The benefit of having a DVD correspondence course is that the viewer can review the video as many times as is necessary until they gain an understanding of the material. Successful completion of this course has not so much to do with an individual’s current level of knowledge as it does with the amount of time one spends watching the videos and reading the manual.

If I have a bad back will this help me?

This course is designed to teach people some of the many possible reasons an individual may be experiencing back pain, especially in the lower back. The course accomplishes this by first summarizing pertinent back anatomy, moving next to a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment designed to help determine imbalances in the body which may result in back pain and finally moving to the exercise section which covers numerous back exercises ranging from rehabilitative to strength training. Though the course was designed to teach health professionals how to assess and use corrective exercise to help individuals experiencing back pain, a relatively astute individual may be able to successfully partner up with a friend or relative, learn the assessments and use some of the exercises to help relieve his/her back pain. This course is not designed to diagnose or treat any particular medical condition and it is recommended that you seek a medical professional’s advice before performing the information provided in the videos.

"The information contained in the Scientific Back Training course is so effective at evaluating and correcting many spinal dysfunctions that it should be a required course of all chiropractic and/or P.T. schools. If I could choose any clinician to evaluate a musculo-skeletal complaint of mine, my family, or my patients, I would choose Paul Chek even before myself. I am very glad Mr. Chek does not practice across the street from our medical center. This course was worth 50 times the cost.!" - Anthony Hall D.C., CSCS.