Build practical confidence in evaluating and managing spine conditions in primary care — from cervical and thoracic complaints to lumbar disorders.
Orthopalooza: Spine is a focused hybrid course designed for clinicians who regularly see patients with neck, mid-back, and low back pain and want clearer diagnostic reasoning, stronger examination skills, and more structured, evidence-based management strategies within primary care scope.
Grounded in real-world clinical practice, this course blends self-paced online study with immersive, hands-on spine assessment and applied case-based learning.
Orthopalooza: Spine is a focused hybrid course designed for clinicians who regularly see patients with neck, mid-back, and low back pain and want clearer diagnostic reasoning, stronger examination skills, and more structured, evidence-based management strategies within primary care scope.
Grounded in real-world clinical practice, this course blends self-paced online study with immersive, hands-on spine assessment and applied case-based learning.
Who this course is for
- Nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and APRNs
- Physicians and other advanced practice providers
- Clinicians in primary care, urgent care, or outpatient settings
How the hybrid model works
10 Hours Online (self paced study, prior to workshop)
Provides foundational knowledge in:
1-Day Saturday Hands-On Workshop (Lafayette, CA)
Emphasizes active spine assessment, applied clinical reasoning, and structured treatment planning.
Participants engage in:
Provides foundational knowledge in:
- Spine anatomy and biomechanics
- Pathophysiology of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar disorders
- Structured spine history and physical examination
- Imaging selection and interpretation
- Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic management strategies
- Participants arrive at the workshop with a shared clinical framework.
1-Day Saturday Hands-On Workshop (Lafayette, CA)
Emphasizes active spine assessment, applied clinical reasoning, and structured treatment planning.
Participants engage in:
- Guided spine examination practice
- Case-based differential diagnosis exercises
- Pharmacologic decision-making review, and relevant injections
- Interdisciplinary referral planning
- Real-time faculty coaching and feedback
What you'll learn
- Spine Evaluation & Clinical Management
- Mechanical contributors to lumbar spine pain
- Differential diagnoses for non-radiating low back pain
- Design and implementation of comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plans for patients with lumbar spine disorders
- The use and effects of the following pharmaceutical types: acetaminophen, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, NSAIDs, opioids, skeletal muscle relaxants, corticosteroid injections, and/or topical anesthetics.
- Generating and documenting appropriate inter-disciplinary referral plans for lumbar spine follow up care
- Case studies
- Comprehensive Spine Assessment
- Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine examination techniques
- Recognition of red and yellow flags
- Identification of spine emergencies requiring immediate referral
- Safe, scope-appropriate management within primary care
What makes Orthopalooza different
Orthopalooza is developed and taught by experienced orthopedic nurse practitioners and educators who understand how MSK complaints present in primary care — not in isolated academic silos.
This is not passive lecture content. It is structured to:
This is not passive lecture content. It is structured to:
- Reinforce efficient exam technique
- Improve clinical clarity and diagnostic reasoning
- Support safe procedural confidence
- Reduce unnecessary referrals
- Strengthen your value within your practice
Practical impact
After completing Orthopalooza: Spine, clinicians report:
- Greater confidence evaluating full-spine complaints
- Clearer differentiation of mechanical versus serious pathology
- Improved medication selection and documentation
- Stronger interdisciplinary coordination
- More effective patient education and care planning
Accreditation
CE credits are nationally recognized. Jackson Orthopedic Foundation is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation and approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Location and travel information
Workshops are held at Creekside Commons in Lafayette, California, on Saturdays to minimize disruption to clinical schedules. Additional cities are planned and will be announced.
Traveling to join us?
Please note: While we are excited to welcome you to Orthopalooza, we kindly recommend waiting until one month prior to the event to finalize travel arrangements - and/or booking refundable/flexible arrangements if possible.
This is to account for any unforeseen circumstances or emergencies that may require changes or cancellation of a workshop. Please be aware that Jackson Orthopedic Foundation cannot be liable for any travel or accommodation costs incurred should the event be postponed or cancelled.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Traveling to join us?
Please note: While we are excited to welcome you to Orthopalooza, we kindly recommend waiting until one month prior to the event to finalize travel arrangements - and/or booking refundable/flexible arrangements if possible.
This is to account for any unforeseen circumstances or emergencies that may require changes or cancellation of a workshop. Please be aware that Jackson Orthopedic Foundation cannot be liable for any travel or accommodation costs incurred should the event be postponed or cancelled.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Course format and access
- 10 hours of self-paced online learning followed by 1-day Saturday skills workshop
- Readings, videos, assignments, and clinical evaluation
- Access details sent within 24–48 hours of purchase
- CE credits nationally recognized and ANCC-accredited