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Courses Overview

The McKenzie Institute Education Programme offers a range of courses. For an overview of each explore below by course type.

The requirements for undertaking each part of the core curriculum is that Part A must be completed first, and Part D last. Parts B and C may be undertaken in any order at the discretion of the participant.

Part A - The Lumbar Spine

Course Overview

This four-day course introduces the theoretical aspects and concepts of the McKenzie Method in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), as it is applied to the musculoskeletal system. The focus of this course, which is the first in the McKenzie course series, is the assessment, classification and management of patients with complaints of low back, related referred pain and functional limitations.

In certain countries, one day of the course is completed as an online distance learning component. This online component is completed prior to attending the three days at a teaching venue with an Instructor. In countries that don't utilise the online distance learning component the full four-day course is completed onsite with an Instructor.

The principles of MDT and how they apply in the context of the biopsychosocial framework of managing patients with musculoskeletal pain and functional limitations will be a key focus. The participants will explore and extensively practice the MDT assessment, classification and management process through lectures, workshops, discussions, and patient demonstrations. The classifications of Derangement, Dysfunction and Postural syndromes are described in detail and appropriate management plans are discussed, with emphasis on the use of patient self-treatment procedures and education. Indications for the use of clinician procedures will also be discussed and the procedures demonstrated and practiced. Subgroups not fulfilling the criteria of the McKenzie syndromes are introduced and the basis for their differential diagnosis is outlined.

Follow-up patient demonstrations will illustrate the reassessment process and allow participants to get a realistic feel and understanding of the impact of the MDT system on differing patient presentations over 2-3 treatment sessions.

The course will include an illustrated manual and complete reference list. Participants will also have access to videos of all procedures, the full reference list on the MII website and a voluntary self-assessment post-course quiz (English Only).

Course Goals

Following attentive participation in, and completion of, this course will provide participants with the introductory knowledge, basic skills and abilities to begin to:

Describe and discuss the basic principles of MDT and how it fits within the context of the biopsychosocial back pain experience
Appropriately apply the McKenzie Method of MDT to patients with lumbar spine problems.
Distinguish between the MDT syndromes (Derangement, Dysfunction, Postural) and OTHER subgroups and provide appropriate management regimens for each of the MDT syndromes.
Identify when the application of external forces is required for the resolution of symptoms using MDT’s concept of ‘Progression of Forces’.
Recognise how to assist patients to design and apply the therapeutic processes to achieve management goals, taking into account any personal or environmental barriers to recovery.

Part B - The Cervical and Thoracic Spine

Course Overview

This four-day course focuses on the application of MDT to the cervical and thoracic spine. The course details the assessment, classification and management of patients with complaints of cervical and thoracic pain, related referred pain and functional limitations.

In certain countries, one day of the course is completed as an online distance learning component. This online component is completed prior to attending the three days at a teaching venue with an Instructor. In countries that don't utilize the online distance learning component, the full four-day course is completed onsite with an Instructor.

The principles of MDT and how they apply in the context of the biopsychosocial framework of managing patients with cervical and thoracic pain and functional limitations will be a key focus. The participants will explore and extensively practice the MDT assessment, classification and management process through lectures, workshops, discussions, and patient demonstrations. The classifications of Derangement, Dysfunction and Postural syndromes in the cervical and thoracic spine are described in detail and appropriate management plans are discussed, with emphasis on the use of patient self-treatment procedures and education. Indications for the use of clinician procedures will also be discussed and the procedures demonstrated and practiced. Subgroups not fulfilling the criteria of the MDT syndromes are introduced and the basis for their differential diagnosis is outlined.

Course Goals

Following attentive participation in, and completion of, this course will provide participants with the introductory knowledge, basic skills and abilities to begin to:

Appropriately apply the McKenzie Method of MDT to patients with cervical and thoracic spine problems.
Distinguish between the MDT syndromes (Derangement, Dysfunction, Postural) and OTHER subgroups and provide appropriate management regimens for each of the MDT syndromes.
Identify when the application of external forces is required for the resolution of symptoms using MDT’s concept of ‘Progression of Forces’.
Recognise how to assist patients to design and apply the therapeutic processes to achieve management goals, taking into account any personal or environmental barriers to recovery.

Part C – Advanced Lumbar Spine & Extremities – Lower Limb

Course Overview

This four-day course will review and advance the theory and practical application of MDT in relation to the Lumbar Spine and introduce the concept of MDT in the management of lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders.

The course will firstly assist the participants in expanding their capabilities for the assessment, classification and management of patients with complaints of low back, related referred pain and functional limitations. Secondly, the theory and practical application of MDT for lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders is presented. Lectures, patient assessments and practical sessions are utilised to demonstrate the characteristics and management of the syndromes and OTHER subgroups as they present in the lower extremity.

Problem solving, reflective learning and clinical reasoning activities are utilised to ensure the participant has a broader knowledge of MDT in the biopsychosocial framework of the musculoskeletal experience. The participants will have the opportunity to discuss and extensively practice the MDT assessment, classification and management process through workshops, discussions, and patient demonstrations. Practical sessions are utilised to develop skills in the application of both self-treatment and clinician procedures.

Lumbar Spine Course Goals

Following attentive participation in, and completion of this course, participants will be provided with more advanced knowledge, skills and abilities to:

Identify, discuss and solve common problems encountered in the application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy for the lumbar spine.
Analyse and discuss the MDT assessment and how it assists with patient classification.
Discuss the application of clinician forces, and how they fit with MDT’s ‘Progression of Forces’ concept.
Perform clinician techniques for the lumbar spine at an advanced level and to identify difficulties or variations with their application.
Analyse case studies/role plays of patients presenting with lumbar spine symptoms and determine classification.

Lower Extremity Course Goals

Following attentive participation in, and completion of this course, participants will be provided with the introductory knowledge, basic skills and abilities to:

Describe and discuss the current evidence base for the use of MDT for lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
Describe the characteristics of Derangement, Dysfunction and Postural syndromes as they present in lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
Perform MDT assessments for lower extremity musculoskeletal disorders and determine the presence of the MDT syndromes.
Design appropriate management programs for patients who present with Derangement, Dysfunction and Postural syndromes in the lower extremity within a biopsychosocial framework.
Analyse case studies/roleplays of patients presenting with lower extremity symptoms and determine classification.

Part D – Advanced Cervical and Thoracic Spine & Extremities – Upper Limb

Course Overview

This four-day course will review and advance the theory and practical application of MDT in relation to the cervical and thoracic spine and introduce the concept of MDT in the management of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.

The course will firstly assist the participants in expanding their capabilities for the assessment, classification and management of patients with complaints of cervical and thoracic, related referred pain and functional limitations. Secondly, the theory and practical application of MDT for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders is presented. Lectures, patient assessments and practical sessions are utilised to demonstrate the characteristics and management of the syndromes and OTHER subgroups as they present in the upper extremity.

Cervical and Thoracic Spine Course Goals

Following attentive participation in, and completion of this course, participants will be provided with more advanced knowledge, skills and abilities to:

Identify and discuss common problems encountered in the application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy for the cervical and thoracic spine.
Analyse and discuss the MDT assessment and how it assists with patient classification.
Discuss the application of clinician forces, and how they fit with MDT’s ‘Progression of Forces’ concept.
To perform clinician techniques for the cervical and thoracic spine at an advanced level and to identify difficulties or variations with their application.
Analyse case studies of patients presenting with cervical / thoracic symptoms and determine their classification.

Upper Extremity Course Goals

Following attentive participation in, and completion of this course, participants will be provided with the introductory knowledge, basic skills and abilities to:

Describe and discuss the current evidence base for the use of MDT for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
Describe the characteristics of Derangement, Dysfunction and Postural syndromes as they present in upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
Perform MDT assessments for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders and determine the presence of MDT syndromes.
Design appropriate management programs for patients who present with Derangement, Dysfunction and Postural syndromes in the upper extremity.
Analyse case studies/roleplays of patients presenting with upper extremity symptoms and determine their classification.

Part E - MDT Advanced Extremities

Course Overview

This intensive two day course (14 hours) will focus on more advanced principles and practical application through clinical reasoning, problem solving, analysis of case studies, assessment and treatment of patients, and technique work.

Course Goals

The goal of this course is to build on prior knowledge gained from the introduction of extremities in Parts C and D to:

Appropriately apply the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy to patients with extremity problems;
Distinguish between the McKenzie Syndromes (Postural, Dysfunction, and Derangement) as applied to the extremities;
Practice appropriate treatment regimens for each of the syndromes and their sub-classifications;
Identify when the application of external forces or external stabilisation is required for the resolution of symptoms using McKenzie's "progression of forces" concept;
Assist patients to design and apply the therapeutic processes on their own to maintain treatment goals;
Distinguish non-mechanical disorders and provide appropriate advice.

Prerequisites

Completion of the following McKenzie Institute courses, presented by licensed McKenzie Institute Faculty:

Part D - Advanced Cervical and Thoracic Spine & Extremities – Upper Limb

Preparation for the Course

To best prepare for the Advanced Extremities course, those who completed the curriculum prior to the inclusion of extremities in Parts C and D are highly encouraged to audit Parts C and D courses or read the textbook, The Human Extremities - Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, before attending.

MASTERCLASS - MDT and the Athlete

GOAL

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to utilise and promote Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) in the examination, intervention and management of patients presenting with sports related musculoskeletal injuries, pain and limited function.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this workshop, the participant will be able to:

Explain the relevance and apply the principles of MDT (assessment, management, recovery of function, and prevention) to an athlete / member of the sports population presenting with a musculoskeletal injury;
Identify key questions and possible considerations in the History and Physical Examination, that will assist in understanding the athlete’s training situation, ruling out serious pathology and establishing an MDT provisional classification.
Analyse and adapt the use of a variety of mechanical loading strategies, based on the sub-group classification and principles of MDT, in the intervention and management of sport injuries, optimal sports training and injury prevention;
Effectively apply the MDT evaluation algorithm and force progression concepts to identify athletes who may require alternative management strategies in their injury recovery.

OUTLINE

This manual and workshop emphasise the application of MDT to the athletic and sporting population. Discussion will focus on the role of MDT in sports medicine and the challenges of the current model of sports medicine. Case studies will be presented and practical sessions addressing the various key principles of MDT will be included to give examples of applying these principles. Therapists who have experience using MDT for Spine and Extremity disorders and who have a basic understanding of the principles of sport medicine will find the course most beneficial.

MASTERCLASS - MDT Management of Radicular Syndrome

This 2-day masterclass presents the theory and application of Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy as applied in the examination and treatment of patients with spinal and / or related radicular symptoms. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation and management of lumbar and cervical radiculopathies.

The pathologies that can lead to radiculopathy will be described and the clinical elements of each discussed. The role of injections and surgery will be discussed, including the role of MDT in postoperative management. The differential diagnosis of other causes of symptoms in the limbs will be explored.

Material will be presented through a mix of oral presentations, interview presentations, case study analysis and group problem solving. Clinicians who have some experience in the application of MDT in the context of spinal pathologies, will find this course particularly interesting and challenging.

Objectives

Through active participation in the masterclass, participants will develop their ability to:

Describe the natural history of degenerative changes involving the spine and their relationship to the pathology of the nerve root.
Discuss the natural history of spinal disorders and the role of conservative treatment and surgical treatment.
Compare and contrast the signs and symptoms of somatic pain referred to the limb, from that arising from the involvement of a nerve root.
Identify patients with radicular symptoms that will respond to MDT management and set up an individualized management program.
Identify patients with radicular symptoms who do not respond to MDT and who require further medical investigations, interventions and / or surgical evaluations.

Duration

14 hours (face to face)

Prerequisites

Participants must have completed at least Part C of the MDT Education Program.
Participants should be familiar with the MDT assessment forms and terminology.

MASTERCLASS - MDT Management of Chronic Pain

Course Overview

There are several different pain classifications in practice based on expert opinion. These systems need to be comprehensive enough to consider the physical and mental wellbeing of the individual and comprehensive of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Signs and symptoms help to identify and classify individuals in pain to provide guidance regarding treatment expectations and interventions. This course will review pain classification systems in practice, explore how Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy utilizes these concepts and how clinicians can effectively manage the classification of Chronic Pain Syndrome.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

Discuss current research and trends in identification of pain mechanisms in subgroupings of nociception, peripheral neuropathic and nociplastic changes.
Identify the history and examination findings from an MDT exam that result in MDT classification of Chronic Pain Syndrome
Describe psychosocial considerations for persons living with persistent pain.
Demonstrate the ability to problem solve strategies for patients with various pain behaviors and psychosocial considerations
Evaluate the evidence and apply appropriate screening tools to identify strategies for the patient with persistent pain.
Theorize how objective patient findings could inform clinical management of individuals with symptoms of persistent pain.

Pre-requisites

Clinicians who have undertaken a minimum of Part C of the MDT educational program.

Modules

The student will accomplish these objectives by achieving competency in the following topics:

Pain Processing
Therapeutic Alliance
Cognitive and Emotional Factors
Comorbidities and Environment (Personal & Contextual Factors)
Autonomic System
Graded Motor Imagery
Graded Exposure
Graded Activity
Follow up and Goal Setting