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The McKenzie Method

The McKenzie Method® - an overview

The McKenzie Method® of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy® (MDT) is a BPS system of MSK assessment and care emphasizing patient empowerment and self-treatment. It is an evidence based protocol that can be applied to acute, subacute and chronic conditions of the spine and the extremities. 1-5

It offers a reliable6,7,8 and practical approach that puts the patient’s needs first and guides the clinician in meeting those needs.

The MDT assessment enables clinicians to triage patients accurately and efficiently to the appropriate services required. It allows the early identification of non-musculoskeletal pain or contra-indications to therapy where immediate referral onwards is necessary.9 Research has shown that a significant proportion of patients with non-serious spinal and extremity pain respond well to specific exercises and experience fewer symptoms when treated with exercises individualised to the patient.10,11 

The unique combination of postural advice and the application of specific individualised exercises when delivered by an MDT trained clinician enable the majority of patients to effectively self-manage their condition. This process promotes patient empowerment, increases satisfaction with treatment and is cost-effective.12,13

References:

  1. McKenzie and May 2000, 2003, 2006
  2. Clare et al. 2004
  3. May and Donelson 2008
  4. Dunsford et al. 2011
  5. Rosedale et al. 2014
  6. Kilpikoski et al. 2002
  7. Heider Abady et al. 2014
  8. Willis et al. 2016
  9. Chaniotis 2012
  10.  Long et al. 2004
  11.  Albert and Manniche 2012
  12.  Manca et al. 2007
  13. Deutscher et al. 2014

Robin McKenzie on MDT

The Method - Step by step guide

Assessment

ASSESSMENT

Evaluation

MDT uses a validated assessment process which enables the clinician to categorise the patient into distinct sub groups. These well-defined sub-groups guide the appropriate management or treatment strategy.

An important component of the assessment is that the clinicians who are well trained in MDT are able to recognise patients with pathologies unsuitable for therapy. These patients can be immediately referred for further medical evaluation to the appropriate specialist.

After careful questioning about how the symptoms are impacting or limiting the patient, and how different movements and positions affect the symptions, the patient is asked to move in various directions and reports back to the clinician on the effect of these various movements. For spinal patients, rapid changes occur in 50-70% of cases (depending on how long they have had their symptoms). Pain can move from a distal to a more proximal location in response to directionally specific movements. If the appropriate movement is continued, the pain retreats towards the midline of the spine. This phenomenon is called Centralisation and many peer review studies have shown that patients whose symptoms centralise have a better outcome than the non-centralisers1 2

Accompanying centralisation is a gradual increase in range of movement. This phenomenon occurs in the Derangement Syndrome.

References:

  1. Werneke et al, 1999, 2005, 2008
  2. May and Aina 2012
Classification

CLASSIFICATION

Based on the interpretation of findings from the assessment, MDT trained clinicians will classify patient presentations into one the 14 mutually exclusive classifications. All these classifications have clear-cut clinical operational definitions to allow identification in daily clinic.

The unique nature and presentation of each classification plus consideration of individual patient factors guides management and treatment.  Specific exercises, repeated movements, sustained posture and education on the behaviour of symptoms are vital components of most interventions.

Treatment

TREATMENT

Once the patient has been classified, MDT trained clinicians work in collaboration with the patient to initiate a management plan that is specific to the determined classification and that takes into account the patient’s individual needs and considerations for return to optimum function.

If the classification is Derangement Syndrome the patient would be given an exercise that moves them into their Directional Preference.

If the classification is Contractile Dysfunction the patient would be guided to load the tissue in a graduated way to stimulate recovery.

If the classification is Chronic pain Syndrome the patient would work through an individualised,  graded,  progressive and paced plan to regain confidence in movement for greater function.

All patients would be involved in a discussion regarding the nature of their problem and their role in self-management.

MDT promotes patient independence. For this reason, patient generated forces are used as a first resource. Where these forces are insufficient, they are supplemented by clinician generated forces, such as mobilisation.

Prevention

Prevention

The McKenzie Method seeks to equip patients with posture and movement strategies beyond short term relief for prevention of recurrence. Research has shown that spinal pain in particular has a tendency to recur and recurrences often occur with increased severity. Preventing recurrence is therefore more important than supplying short term relief through passive treatment.

"It does effectively teach patients to self-manage well enough so that they do not need to seek care from a healthcare practitioner when LBP recurs." de Campos et al 2020