1. THE MCKENZIE METHOD
MECHANICAL DIAGNOSIS
AND THERAPY
By: Lindsay Tuhacek

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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)

5. 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)

6. 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)

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. THE LUMBAR SPINE
Lumbar extension
Lumbar flexion
(McKenzie 2009)

10. CLASSIFICATION AND DIAGNOSIS
(McKenzie 2009)

11. 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)

12. 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).

13. 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.