What is the McKenzie Method?

The McKenzie Method is active patient treatment which emphasizes self-treatment exercise and prevention. It provides the patient with life-long pain management skill. Also known as mechanical diagnosis and therapy (MDT), the McKenzie Method is based on the consistent cause and effect relationship between mechanical forces, pain response and change in movement and function.

How does the McKenzie Method Work?

Assessment

The McKenzie Method is first and foremost patient assessment, which uses pain behaviour and its relationship to movements and positions to determine appropriate effective mechanical treatment. Interpretation of the assessment permits classification of the non-specific spectrum of back and neck pain into types which then directs the appropriate treatment.

Treatment

The McKenzie Method treatment prescribes a series of individualized exercises. The emphasis is on active patient self-treatment, which minimizes the number of treatment visits to Wellbridge Physiotherapy.

The majority of patients can successfully self-treat when provided with the necessary knowledge. For patients with more difficult mechanical spinal problems, Wellbridge Physiotherapy can provide manual and manipulative techniques to get the patient to a point where they are able to self-treat.

Prevention

By learning how to self-treat the current mechanical back or neck problem, patients gain knowledge of how to reduce the risk of recurrence of back or neck pain and lost function and to rapidly deal with recurrence of pain if it does occur. The most important measure of good outcome from treatment is the ability to prevent recurrence of pain and lost function.