The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy is an evidence-based assessment and management protocol for clients and patients experiencing problems with their spine or extremities. Physical therapists may choose to undergo continuing education in this method to be able to utilize it in their practice. The McKenzie Method provides an algorithm for physical therapists to assess the nature of their clients’ symptoms and recognize when a patient requires a referral to another healthcare provider for more assessment or medical treatment.

During the assessment, a patient is asked about how various movements and positions affect their symptoms (ie. make them better, worse or different). Then the patient performs movements in different directions and reports back to the therapist any changes in their symptoms. This allows the therapist to place the patient into one of four subgroups or syndromes that later inform the treatment strategy.

Patients are classified as:

• Derangement Syndrome: Directional preference, in which repeating a movement in a specific direction or sustaining a specific posture results in a relevant improvement in symptoms, is a hallmark of derangement syndrome.
• Dysfunction Syndrome: More common when symptoms have been present for at least 8-12 weeks. Pain is the result of the deformation of structurally impaired tissues like scar tissue or those that have adaptively shortened.
• Postural Syndrome: Pain is present when the patient sustains a certain posture and improves when they move out of that posture or are doing other activities.
• Other: sometimes patients do not fit neatly into one of these three mechanical subgroups and signs and symptoms of other disorders or dysfunction may be present.

WHAT CONDITIONS CAN BENEFIT FROM THE MCKENZIE METHOD?

The McKenzie Method can be applied to many different musculoskeletal conditions. According to the McKenzie Institute, this technique of assessment and treatment can be applied to nearly all musculoskeletal problems including:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Extremity pain (i.e., shoulder, knee, ankle etc.)
• Sciatica
• Sacroiliac joint pain
• Arthritis
• Degenerative disc disease
• Muscle spasms
• Intermittent numbness in hands or feet

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help correct your issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

ARE ALL PHYSICAL THERAPISTS TRAINED IN THE MCKENZIE METHOD?

Not all physical therapists are trained in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. Physical therapists who want to learn this method can take continuing education courses that teach them how to apply these principles to the assessment and treatment of their patients. They can take courses in the assessment and treatment of the neck, mid back, lower back and the extremities. Many McKenzie-trained therapists will become certified in this treatment methodology which shows a high level of competency in the material.

HOW DO I KNOW THIS TYPE OF TREATMENT IS RIGHT FOR ME?

This assessment and treatment method was developed for use in many different spinal and extremity conditions. If your therapist is a McKenzie trained physical therapist, we would encourage you to ask your therapist during the initial evaluation about this treatment approach. At that time they can discuss with you their thoughts on how the McKenzie Method style of treatment may fit in with your overall treatment plan. One thing to remember is that the McKenzie Method is just one method of evaluating and treating musculoskeletal problems and your physical therapist may suggest an alternative but equally effective approach. My team of physical therapists will take the time to get to know your concerns and assess your symptoms in order to apply the best techniques for your condition.

If you are experiencing any musculoskeletal problems in your spine or extremities, call Evolve today to learn how we can help you onto the road to recovery.