The McKenzie Method, also known as MDT, is a form of treatment mainly used within physical therapy.
The McKenzie Method is effective for a wide variety of spine and extremity (shoulder, knee, ankle) conditions. Such conditions include:
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Low back pain
- Neck pain
- Herniated disc
- Scoliosis
- Arthritis
- Muscle spasms
What to Expect
This form of treatment encompasses four steps: assessment, classification, treatment and prevention.
If carried out correctly, the McKenzie Method will in turn:
- Safely and accurately diminish the patients’ symptoms
- Determine the most effective treatment plan
- Restore full function
- Allow the patient to self-treat and avoid future aches and pains
- Inform the patient of any other healthcare advice
Assessment
Your initial visit will begin by diving into a detailed history about your symptoms and how they function. Your McKenzie Specialist will move your body in different positions more than once. They will focus on how your symptoms and range of motion react to these repeated movements before moving on to the second step.
Classification
Following your assessment, your McKenzie Specialist will classify your condition within one of these three classifications based on the experienced aches and pains and their behavior:
- Postural syndrome
- Dysfunction syndrome
- Derangements syndrome
However, a minority of patients may fall into an ‘other’ category.
This step is extremely important because it determines whether the McKenzie method is the most appropriate treatment option and will in turn diminish the patients’ symptoms.
Treatment
Depending on the classification, certain treatment procedures will be used. Patients’ will perform appropriate exercises based on their classification. These exercises will be repeated one after another until the aches and pains subsides and overall function and mobility improves.
Prevention
The final step within the McKenzie Method teaches the patient about how to self-treat and prevent future aches and pains from arising.
Learn More!
Interested in seeing if the McKenzie Method is right for you? Contact our main office at (414) 332-6001 to schedule an appointment with our newest doctor, Dr. Zach McKee, certified McKenzie Specialist. Check out the other members of our collaborative team here.