How Does the McKenzie Method Work?
GNI approaches physical therapy by using the McKenzie Method. Members of our team are certified in Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT). MDT is a systematic approach to examination and evaluation for patient management that applies to acute, subacute, and chronic conditions of the spine and the extremities. It provides a foundation for evaluating treatment options and emphasizes patient empowerment and self-treatment. Its greatest success lies in the practitioner being fully-trained and committed to the integrity of the system.
- Step 1 – Active Examination: The clinician listens to a patient’s detailed history and observes repeated movements or positions during the unique MDT examination process. The clinician then establishes a clear direction with a solid baseline to develop an individualized management plan.
- Step 2 – Dynamic Diagnosis: Patients will be prescribed specific exercises and given guidance for appropriate postures and behaviors to adopt or temporarily avoid outside the clinic. The clinician can quickly re-evaluate from the baseline and observe how symptoms and range of movement change to maintain the course or modify the plan. This may include hands-on techniques as needed.
- Step 3 – Reliable Intervention: By learning how to self-treat a current impairment, patients gain practical knowledge to minimize the risk of recurrence and rapidly deal with symptoms if they do recur.
- Preventionis the ultimate goal and patient education is a chief component with MDT.