Lateral Core Training for Physical Therapists (The COMPLETE Guide)

📌 FREE Guide - Radicular Low Back Pain and Disc Pathology: https://fitnesspainfree.com/radicular... 🎓 Insiders Academy - https://fitnesspainfree.com/programs/... 👉 Transform your career with the FREE FPF Mini Course & gets some FREE CEUs for PTs, PTAs & ATCs. https://fitnesspainfree.com/programs/... ****** Tired of prescribing the same boring side plank to every patient with low back pain? Not sure how to progress lateral core exercises from a sedentary postpartum mom to a rotational athlete? This is the COMPLETE guide to lateral core training for physical therapists — 20+ exercises, organized by difficulty, so you can pick the right one for the patient in front of you. As a PT, the lateral core (obliques + QL) shows up in almost every caseload: low back pain, oblique strains, athletic pubalgia, FAI and hip pathologies, return-to-throwing, return-to-kicking, postpartum rehab, and end-stage power development. The problem? Most clinicians know 3 or 4 variations and run out of progressions fast — leaving patients undertrained or you scrambling for ideas mid-session. In this video, I'll walk you through every lateral core exercise I actually uses in the clinic, with clear regressions and progressions for every irritability level and functional goal. What you'll learn: ✅ Why lateral core training is non-negotiable for low back pain rehab and core stability ✅ How to regress and progress side planks for any tissue irritability level ✅ When to use the Copenhagen plank vs. a traditional side plank (and why it matters for athletic pubalgia) ✅ How to load 45-degree back extensions for the obliques and QL ✅ Suitcase carries, contralateral-loaded lunges, anti-rotation presses, chops, and renegade rows – broken down clinically ✅ Late-stage power exercises (scoop toss, shot put toss) to bridge return-to-sport for rotational athletes ✅ How to pick exercises based on patient goals, preference, and the equipment in your clinic Who this is for: ✔ Physical therapists treating low back pain, oblique strains, athletic pubalgia, FAI, and hip pathology ✔ Sports PTs rehabbing rotational athletes (baseball, softball, golf, tennis, MMA, soccer) ✔ Clinicians working with postpartum, geriatric, and general ortho populations ✔ Students and new grads building out their exercise toolbox ✔ Strength coaches who want a clinical lens on core training ****** 🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Head over to fitnesspainfree.com and sign up for the newsletter. I'll keep you learning and growing on a weekly basis! 👋 FOLLOW ME ONLINE: Instagram:   / fitnesspainfree   Facebook:   / fitnesspainfree   Blog Articles: https://fitnesspainfree.com/articles/ ****** TIMELINE 00:00 Why physical therapists need to master lateral core programming 00:30 Lateral core anatomy & clinical relevance (low back pain, oblique strains, athletic pubalgia, FAI) 01:22 Matching exercises to irritability, function, goals & equipment 02:20 Side plank variations (half, traditional, banded, loaded) 04:42 Dynamic side plank + hip taps 05:52 Side plank + clamshell & reverse clamshell variations 06:42 Copenhagen plank (best pick for adductor tendinopathy & athletic pubalgia) 08:00 45-degree back extension for lateral core (pillar holds, side bends, rotation) 10:00 45-degree back extension for adductors 10:08 Dumbbell & kettlebell carries (suitcase carry, marches) 12:00 Single-arm rows for anti-rotation 13:30 Dead bug & bridge march progressions 14:30 Cable chop variations (standing, seated, high & low) 16:00 Anti-rotation punch press & dynamic cable row 17:00 Power: scoop toss & shot put toss for return-to-sport #DanPope #PhysicalTherapy #PhysicalTherapist #LateralCore #CoreExercises #LowBackPain #SportsPT #ExercisePrescription #PTSchool #DPT #OrthopedicPT #RehabExercises #CoreStability #SidePlank #AthleticPubalgia #SportsRehab #ContinuingEducation