The McKenzie Method
The McKenzie Method, which may also be referred to as Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), was first developed by renowned physical therapist Robin McKenzie in New Zealand in the 1950s. His evaluation and treatment methods developed into a world-wide, well-researched organization known as the McKenzie Institute. Summit Orthopedics physical therapists offer the McKenzie Method to patients in the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area.
How the McKenzie Method Works
The method may be used on all parts of the body (back, neck or extremities). Your therapist will approach your symptoms through four stages: assessment, classification, treatment and prevention. Although the McKenzie Method is designed to get results quickly, you may still need several physical therapy sessions to ensure treatment is helping your movement the way it should.
The MDT system is designed to classify patients based on mechanics and patterns of symptom behavior. The main difference when compared to other approaches is the use of repeated movements. Your therapist will likely have you move a joint multiple times or hold a position for a length of time to test the response rather than having you demonstrate the motion just one time.
After some basic testing, your therapist will be able to classify your condition. Once your therapist knows your classification, this allows your treatment plans to proceed in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Ongoing Treatment and Prevention
Your home program will focus on simple motions that you can perform independently.
Your therapist will teach you how to progress the forces with your exercises and decide if it is necessary to add any hands-on (manual) techniques to facilitate your improvement. Once your pain is resolved and function is restored, you will be instructed in long-term preventive strategies.
Conditions McKenzie May Help
The McKenzie Method may help treat pain in several areas of the body, including:
- Knee pain
- Lower back (lumbar spine) pain
- Middle back (thoracic spine) pain
- Neck (cervical spine) pain
- Shoulder pain
This approach is best known for how effective it is in treating back and neck pain, but it is increasingly used to treat other joints. It may help improve painful symptoms associated with conditions such as arthritis, degenerative disk disease and sciatica.
Benefits of the McKenzie Method
Other benefits of MDT listed on the McKenzie USA website include:
- Accurate assessment and diagnosis. The evaluation procedures ensure you have the correct diagnosis and treatment.
- Lower costs for you. When you learn to treat your own pain, it may return less often, meaning you have to see the doctor less frequently.
- Lower rates of surgery and nonsurgical procedures. Research has shown when patients are successful with MDT, they have better outcomes and are less likely to need surgery.
Find a Summit Orthopedics physical therapist who specializes in the McKenzie Method.
