In the 1950’s, New Zealand physiotherapist Robin McKenzie created the McKenzie Method, which is based on the belief that self-treatment of mechanical pain is the best approach to immediate and long-term pain relief. The McKenzie Method has three parts: assessment, treatment, and prevention.

The assessment process involves discovering the patient’s history and performing a mechanical assessment, which requires patients to engage in repetitive movement through a series of activities.

Based on the results of the assessment, the therapist will determine the best treatment plan. During treatment, physical therapy and exercise are used to extend the spine, pulling the patient’s pain away from the extremities and into the back, making the pain immediately more tolerable. Moreover, the centralized pain guides the therapist to the source of the pain, resulting in fast and effective treatment, particularly for acute low back or neck pain.

However, the success of the treatment is heavily dependent on the patient, who is responsible for performing the prescribed exercises for recovery and self-maintenance for prevention. Therapists employing the McKenzie Method educate and empower patients to take control of their own rehabilitation and injury prevention to ensure long-term pain relief.

This method can be used to treat a variety of musculoskeletal issues