The McKenzie Method (Mechanic Diagnosis and Treatment – MDT) is an internationally recognized method of evaluation and treatment of both vertebra and limbs pain, which has been widely practised globally for the last 30 years. It is based on a well-grounded protocol which follows specific steps in evaluation-treatment and can be applied to acute, sub-acute and chronic conditions of the vertebra and the peripheral articulations.
This protocol follows the following stages:
Evaluation → Classification → Tackling/Treatment → Self-medication/Prevention
The evaluation stage (1st stage) of the McKenzie Method begins by receiving an analytical history from the patient, in which are recorded all his symptoms and the way they “appear” within 24 hours. Consequently, a clinical evaluation takes place in which the patient is asked to perform specific movements or to stay still in specific positions. The difference of the clinical examination of MDT in comparison to other methods is that it uses repeated movements and timely extended positions. By this way, the physiotherapist is given the opportunity to detect any changes in the “behaviour” of symptoms even through the stage of the initial evaluation and therefore to classify (2nd stage) the patient’s problem accurately according to the classification of the McKenzie method.
After the problem’s ranking in accordance with MDT, the treatment (3rd stage) takes place, which may include the application of chiropractic techniques by the physiotherapist and of course a number of special McKenzie exercises. These exercises are repeated by the patient at home, at a particular frequency. This recurrence accelerates the treatment, resulting in the sooner (in less sessions) rehabilitation of the patient’s problem.
Furthermore, at the end of the treatment with MDT, patients will be aware of how to deal with their current problem on their own (4th stage – self medication/prevention), minimizing the danger of relapse.
