Prevention: When patient learns how to self-treat they also learn preventative steps to reduce the risk of recurrence. Research has shown this to be more effective than a longer session with a clinician, once or twice a week.
The patient will be given a series of short, simple exercise(s) or movement(s) that they can do on their own five or six times a day. This is a guiding principle of the McKenzie Method. The aim is to teach the patient how to self-treat. This may include specific exercises, advice regarding posture, and/or hands-on manipulation. Treatment: Once the condition has been classified, the clinician will begin the treatment with the patient. The range of motion and information provided will allow the clinician to categorize the issue.Ĭlassification: MDT has a comprehensive classification system to guide treatment. The patient’s medical history will be collected, specifically in relation to the symptoms associated with the suspected musculoskeletal disorder. Your Lake Forest Physical Therapists will likely prescribe postural correction and exercises to do as part of a home exercise program. What is involved in treatment? There are four steps to the McKenzie Method.Īssessment: The clinician will watch and feel the patient move through certain movements and positions. The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) If you have low back pain or sciatica, our skilled physical therapists can help you manage your pain and improve your overall mobility. The treatment principle is that patients can learn principles of empowerment and take control of their own symptom management. The methodology was developed by an expert physiotherapist, Robin McKenzie, in the 1950s and uses a comprehensive and clinically based evaluation of patients without the use of imaging tools such as X-rays and MRIs. The main difference to most other assessments is the use of repeated movements rather than a single. You will be asked to perform certain movements and rest in certain positions. MDT begins with the clinician taking a detailed history about your symptoms and how they behave. This method is also useful for concerns with sciatica, sacroiliac joint pain, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, muscle spasms and intermittent numbness in the hands or feet. What does The McKenzie Method ® of MDT involve Step 1 - Assessment. Douglas Krebs was one of the 1st 100 chiropractors credentialed by the McKenzie Institute in 2010. The McKenzie Method, also known as Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), is an assessment process used for all musculoskeletal issues including pain or discomfort in the back, neck or extremities.