The Markland Clinic

The McKenzie Method

Therapists at the Markland Clinic predominantly practice the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy® to assess and treat musculoskeletal problems.

What is the McKenzie method?

The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy® is a philosophy of active patient involvement and education that is trusted and used by practitioners and patients all over the world for back, neck and extremity problems.

The McKenzie Method: 3 Steps To Success

Step 1: Assessment

Unique to the McKenzie Method® is a comprehensive and logical step-by-step process to evaluate the patient's problem quickly. This mechanical examination can "classify" most patient conditions by the level of pain or limitation that results from certain movements or positions. A McKenzie assessment can eliminate the need for expensive and/or invasive procedures.

Research has shown the initial McKenzie assessment procedures to be as reliable as costly diagnostic imaging (i.e., x-rays, MRIs) to determine the source of the problem and quickly identify responders and non-responders.

Step 2: Treatment

McKenzie treatment prescribes a series of individualised exercises. The emphasis is on active patient involvement, which minimises the number of visits to the clinic. Ultimately, most patients can successfully treat themselves when provided the necessary knowledge and tools. For patients with more difficult mechanical problems, a certified McKenzie clinician can provide advanced hands-on techniques until the patient can self-treat.

Step 3: Prevention

By learning how to self-treat the current problem, patients gain hands-on knowledge on how to minimise the risk of recurrence and to rapidly deal with recurrence if it occurs. The likelihood of problems persisting can more likely be prevented through self-maintenance.

The excerpts above are taken from the official International website of the McKenzie Institute www.mckenziemdt.org.