The McKenzie Method and how it helps your Back Pain

Robin McKenzie was a New Zealand based physiotherapist who through a chance of clinical observation of positions and movements on patients with back pain, developed a system of classifying and managing spinal and extremity issues. Over decades, his methods have been researched, modified and applied as an internationally recognized practice for managing musculoskeletal pain, namely back and neck pain.

The McKenzie method is unique in its ability to classify your symptoms specific to your load tolerance.The McKenzie method empowers patients to be in control of their own symptoms, and better understand the complexity between symptoms and movements.  It is an exercise and movement-based system that promotes the body’s potential to repair itself, minimizing the need for medical intervention and surgery. The method is often enhanced clinically by manual therapy and functional strengthening. Combined with a strength and stability program, the McKenzie method often allows patients to recognize and prevent disabling episodes of upper back, lower back and neck pain.

What does an assessment look like?

• An important part of any assessment is the history. Explaining tolerable positions, better/worse patterns and mechanism of injury allows your physiotherapist to minimize aggravating symptoms during physical testing
• As part of the physical testing, the physiotherapist takes you through various positions comparing your symptom tolerance and load on your spine. After determining the appropriate amount of load you can tolerate, you are prescribed exercises to reduce symptoms/
• Every person has their own unique tolerance! For some, the exercises may require lying on your stomach, for others it may require sitting. And others, it may even require exercises in standing.
• Once you are prescribed the exercises, you will be provided the appropriate frequency. Again, this will depend on you and your daily habits. If you are sitting daily for work, you may be required move hourly. For active people, you may be required to get on the floor and offload. 
• You will also be educated on posture, positions to avoid and tips on how to move better.

What can I expect?

• Expect symptoms to be relieved with exercises. Over time, with the repeated exercises, your body builds strength and adapts to handling more load. 
• If you are having symptoms that ‘radiate’ or ‘refer’ down the leg, you will experience a phenomenon called centralization, where symptoms travel ‘up’ the extremity towards the root cause.
• The McKenzie method is a process! There is an expectation that exercises are progressed regularly in order to rebuild yourself. Symptom relief is the first step! You will want your body to be able to do more. Protection and prevention are key. 
• A proper McKenzie program runs around 12 visits over 6-8weeks with the first 4 weeks focused on managing symptoms and improving mobility. The second 4 weeks focuses on developing functional strength to properly return to work, sport other physical stresses of life!