Mckenzie Method
The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT).
What is MDT?
MDT is a comprehensive, evidence-based clinical examination and diagnostic management system of patient care. The examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, intervention and prevention strategies for back, neck and extremity problems are aimed at patient education and independence. It is time and cost efficient and does not rely on expensive tests and procedures.
How it Works?
The McKenzie assessment allows us to determine if there is a “mechanical” reason for the problem. If your symptoms are affected by a change in movement or position, there is a likely mechanical cause that will respond very well to exercise-based plans of care designed to ultimately give you the ability to self-manage.
By learning how to self-treat your current impairment, you gain valuable knowledge and skills to minimized the risk of recurrence. By taking you through a McKenzie assessment, we will also be able to safely identify any “red flags” that might be contrary to further treatment.
Following a thorough examination and evaluation that consists of taking a patient history and performing a standardized physical exam, the patient will typically be classified into one of three McKenzie syndromes that help to further guide the best treatment strategy described as:
- Postural Syndrome: pain caused by continued stress on soft tissues while maintaining certain postures or positions.
- Derangement syndrome: pain caused by a mechanical obstruction to an affected joint.
- Dysfunction syndrome: pain caused by structurally impaired soft tissues often resulting from trauma, inflammation or degenerative processed.
Once we have classified your condition, we will take you through a directional preference exam, looking for a certain repetitive exercise that results in an improvement in your symptoms. If we are able to find a directional preference with or without centralization of your symptoms; there is a very high likelihood of successful treatment results and lasting effects. MDT provides active not passive, plans of care that lead to more effective management.