What is the McKenzie Method
How the McKenzie Method works
The McKenzie Method is a way of assessing musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, ankle pain, and more. The McKenzie Method doesn’t rely on x-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, medication, needles, or surgery. The goal of McKenzie therapy is to empower patients by allowing them to manage their own symptoms and regain control of their lives.
The McKenzie Method helps identify mechanical problems in our musculoskeletal system and develop a comprehensive plan to address each condition. The McKenzie Method physical therapy assessment explores various positions and movements along with how they are performed in order to understand how your body is reacting to each movement. A specially trained physical therapist will analyze the information and create a customized treatment plan for your condition.
Goals of the McKenzie Method assessment include:
- Quickly reduce pain
- Be able to function normally in daily activities again
- Minimize recurring pain by avoiding painful postures and movements
Benefits of the McKenzie Method assessment include:
- Inform patients if additional testing is necessary
- Provide a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s symptoms
- Determine the most appropriate treatment
- Decrease symptoms and improve function
- Empower the patient to prevent recurrences
How do I know if the McKenzie Method of MDT if right for me?
- You can set up a free no obligation consultation with the therapist where she will get solid history and do a quick posture, neuro and movement loss assessment to see if the McKenzie Method is likely to help with your particular condition. You will be given the option to continue with full assessment and treatment.
- For back pain in particular, you can take this quiz on the McKenzie Institute website https://www.mckenzieinstituteusa.org/method-patients.cfm