Condition Pain Condition Benchmarked

Low Back Pain (LBP)

Non-specific low back pain — the most common musculoskeletal complaint. Assessment targets lumbar ROM, hip hinge capacity, core endurance, hamstring flexibility, psoas length, and breathing patterns. The goal is to identify the movement direction that centralizes symptoms.

Clinical note: LBP has strong psychosocial components. Avoid catastrophizing language. Frame the condition as manageable and common. Movement is medicine — fear-avoidance is a bigger predictor of chronicity than tissue pathology.
6
ROM Tests
4
Corrective Priorities
4
Risk Factors
7
Red Flags

Key ROM Tests

1 Lumbar Flexion Rom
2 Thoracic Extension
3 Straight Leg Raise
4 Thomas Test
5 Diaphragmatic Assessment
6 Hip Internal Rotation

Risk Factors Assessed

Lumbar Flexion Rom
Straight Leg Raise
Thomas Test
Diaphragmatic Assessment

Expected Timeline

4-8 weeks for acute LBP, 12-24 weeks for chronic LBP, ongoing management for recurrent

Frequently Asked Questions

Can low back pain (lbp) be corrected with exercise?
Typical improvement timeline is 4-8 weeks for acute LBP, 12-24 weeks for chronic LBP, ongoing management for recurrent. The protocol includes 4 prioritized corrective interventions and screens for red flags that require medical referral.
What assessments are done for low back pain (lbp)?
The protocol assesses Lumbar Flexion Rom, Thoracic Extension, Straight Leg Raise, Thomas Test. Each test identifies the specific driver of the condition, guiding the corrective sequence.
Is low back pain (lbp) the same for everyone?
No. The assessment differentiates structural from functional causes and identifies the individual's primary driver. The corrective plan is ordered by priority, with the highest-leverage corrections addressed first.
How do I get started with the Low Back Pain (LBP) protocol?
Apply for an assessment through AKMI. Your coach will run the Low Back Pain (LBP) protocol as part of your initial structural evaluation, then build a personalized corrective plan based on the findings.

Get your Low Back Pain (LBP) assessment

Your coach runs this protocol as part of your structural evaluation, then builds a personalized corrective plan based on the data.

Apply for Assessment

Protocol Details

Category
Condition
Subcategory
Pain Condition
ROM Tests
6
Corrective Targets
4
Benchmarked
Yes
Red Flag Screens
7
Timeline
4-8 weeks for acute LBP, 12-24 weeks for chronic LBP, ongoing management for recurrent
Free Pain Assessment

Take our 2-minute quiz to identify your pain patterns and get a personalized correction plan.

Related Condition Protocols

Posterior Pelvic Tilt

Excessive posterior rotation of the pelvis flattening the lumbar lordosis. Driven by glute overactivity relative to hip flexors, hamstring dominance, thoracic kyphosis compensation, and pelvic floor tension. Common in desk workers and those who 'tuck under' habitually.

 Rounded Upper Back (Thoracic Kyphosis)

Excessive thoracic flexion creating a rounded upper back. Driven by pec tightness, scapular protraction, rib cage depression, weak thoracic extensors, and sustained flexed postures. Upstream driver for forward head posture and shoulder impingement.

 Calf Pain / Calf Strain

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 Plantar Fasciitis

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 Protracted Shoulders

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