Lesson plan
McKenzie method
The McKenzie method is a technique primarily used in physical therapy. It was developed in the late 1950s by New Zealand physiotherapist Robin McKenzie. In 1981 he launched the concept which he called "Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)" – a system encompassing assessment, diagnosis and treatment for the spine and extremities. MDT categorises patients' complaints not on an anatomical basis, but subgroups them by the clinical presentation of patients. McKenzie exercises involve spinal extension, flexion, lateral shift, combined extension with lateral shift, and rotation with flexion motion exercises. The prescribed movement for the patient will all depend on how the patient responds to the movement. Patients often respond well spinal extension, however, the method does not shy away from other directions.
Article summary
The McKenzie method is a technique primarily used in physical therapy. It was developed in the late 1950s by New Zealand physiotherapist Robin McKenzie. In 1981 he launched the concept which he called "Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)" – a system encompassing assessment, diagnosis and treatment for the spine and extremities. MDT categorises patients' complaints not on an anatomical basis, but subgroups them by the clinical presentation of patients. McKenzie exercises involve spinal extension, flexion, lateral shift, combined extension with lateral shift, and rotation with flexion motion exercises. The prescribed movement for the patient will all depend on how the patient responds to the movement. Patients often respond well spinal extension, however, the method does not shy away from other directions.
Key claims
No claims recorded.
Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
No sources recorded.
Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.