How does the McKenzie Method® work and how can it benefit you?

If you experience pain in your back, neck or other extremities, then you know how disrupting it can be. Daily life can become difficult. In fact, around 65 million Americans will experience an episode of back pain. There can be many different underlying causes for chronic or acute pain in the back or the extremities. One approach used by physical therapists to treat these problems is the McKenzie Method.

What is the McKenzie Method? 

This method was developed by a physical therapist of renowned insight, Robin McKenzie. He learned during his practice that the body is capable of repairing many musculoskeletal problems itself. 

How does it work?

The McKenzie Method of physical therapy is a form of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy^®, or MDT. It is an approach to assessing the underlying bodily problems behind your pain and determining the best treatment for you. 

There are four steps to this method: 

1. Assessment — First, your physical therapist will perform an assessment of your symptoms. This is meant to determine what triggers your pain. This step emphasizes repetitive movements to learn how your pain might develop throughout the day or when you perform certain actions. 

2. Classification — The problems causing your pain will be classified into a group depending on your symptoms. Some groups include repeated movements or sustained postures. This helps the physical therapist determine the most effective treatment.

3. Treatment — Now the physical therapist can recommend specific treatments. These include targeted exercises to help reduce pain by strengthening your muscles. Treatment may also include adopting specific postures to stretch out the spine and avoiding postures that might contribute to your pain. The goal is to equip you with the knowledge to treat yourself. Performing these exercises a few times every day is more effective rather than just a few times a week during clinic visitations. 

4. Prevention — You become in control of your health by learning how to strengthen your own body. Exercise treats the symptoms causing you discomfort. Consistent efforts can help prevent future pain or discomfort and minimize the risk of recurring issues. 

Advent Physical Therapy is prepared to empower you with the McKenzie Method 

If you want to learn more about this method of treatment, Advent Physical Therapy can help. Our team are experts in the McKenzie Method, and we are ready to help you reduce the pain and discomfort felt in your back or extremities. We are prepared to build you a personalized treatment plan utilizing this method and to give you the knowledge to help heal yourself over time.  

Contact our team today for more information about the McKenzie Method, or to schedule an initial appointment.