THE MCKENZIE METHOD

MECHANICAL DIAGNOSIS
AND THERAPY
By: Lindsay Tuhacek
OUTLINE
 History of Manual Therapy
 The Prevalence of Spinal Pain

 The Causes of Pain

 The McKenzie Approach

 The Lumbar Spine

 Classification and Diagnosis

 Research

 Conclusion
THE HISTORY OF MANUAL THERAPY
 The idea of Manual Therapy was first introduced by
Hippocrates(460-370 B.C.)
 He practiced medicine on the basis of inductive
reasoning.
 McKenzie Method was developed by Robin
McKenzie, a practicing physiotherapist.
 1956-Accidental hyperextension gives new
meaning to directional preference.
 20 years of trial and error to develop the McKenzie
Method.

• (McKenzie 2009)
THE HISTORY OF MANUAL THERAPY
 1977-The first workshop for Mechanical Diagnosis
and Therapy(MDT).
 1982-The McKenzie Institute was formed.

 Currently there are 26 separate branches

throughout the world and growing.
 Institute offers a Program of Certification which
includes a 4 part credentialing examination.
 The final stage is a Diploma in MDT.

 Eligibility to take the exam include: Bachelors

degree in health care field and current
licensure.(MD, DO, DC, PT)
• (McKenzie 2009)
THE PREVALENCE OF SPINAL PAIN
 Activity-related disorders of the spine are
experienced by approximately 50-80% of the adult
population at some point(s) in life.
 The peak prevalence of this pain is between ages
40-50 years.
 Disability due to back/neck pain has dramatically
increased in the last 10 years.
 Many individuals are treated with medications when
the nature of most disorders are not inflammatory.
 Most spinal disorders develop insidiously upon the
repetitive movements we do on a daily basis.
• (McKenzie 2009)
THE CAUSES OF PAIN
 Most tissues in the body possess a system of
nociceptive receptors(nerve endings).
 These receptors are the body’s warning system.
 Ex: Telling us when a joint has moved past its normal
range of motion(ROM).
 Pain is produced either by a chemical or
mechanical stimulation.
 The McKenzie Method is a way to treat mechanical
pain only.
 The Bent Finger Syndrome.
 Directional Preference.

• (McKenzie1990)
THE MCKENZIE APPROACH
 Lifestyle plays a major role in the development of
these conditions.
 MDT attacks the lifestyle factors that contribute to
the onset, recurrence and progression of these
disorders.
 Modification of behavior and patient awareness of
their habits will decrease the incidence of pain.
 Patients are given directional preference exercises
to use when pain arises.
 Patient control will decrease doctor visit, health
care costs, visits to the E.R., and decrease
disability rates.
RESEARCH
 Journal of Athletic Training
 A study was done with individuals with low back pain
and the effects of different therapies such as: pain
meds, massage, educational booklet and spinal
mobilization.

 Conclusion:
 The results showed that trends favored the McKenzie
Method at intermediate term follow-up for pain and
disability as well as work absences.
 The McKenzie treatment group also tended to have
fewer health care contacts in the 12 months after the
study compared to all other groups.
• (Basanich,B.M., Verscheure, S.D.Journal of Athletic Training, 2006)
THE LUMBAR SPINE

Lumbar extension

Lumbar flexion

(McKenzie 2009)
CLASSIFICATION AND DIAGNOSIS

(McKenzie 2009)
RESEARCH
 Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine
 Gathered data on the effects of the McKenzie Method
vs. advice only in working adults.

 Conclusion
 After 6 months low back pain and leg pain were better in
the McKenzie group than the advice only group.
 After 12 months the McKenzie Group had a better
disability index.
(Markuu, Paatelma et al, Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 2008)
RESEARCH
 Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapy
 50 patients with spinal pain
 Assessed by 14 PT’s trained in the McKenzie Method
 Conclusion: reliability was .84 for syndrome
classification
 McKenzie assessments performed by persons trained in
the McKenzie Method allow for reliable classification of
patients with spinal pain.

• (CLARE, H.A, ADAMS, R, MAHER, C.G, JOURNAL OF MANIPULATIVE AND

PHYSIOLOGICAL THERAPEUTICS, 2005).
CONCLUSION
 The McKenzie Method is an effective form of
manual therapy.
 Studies have proven its effectiveness

 The medical profession should pay more attention

to manual therapies such as the McKenzie method
to manage back pain.
 More information on the McKenzie Method can be
found at www.mckenziemdt.org.