The McKenzie Modality of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) is used to evaluate and treat pain in the spine and extremities. Family Physiotherapy is delighted to provide this treatment method. Indeed, we are one of the top clinics in Edmonton and the surrounding area with MDT-certified practitioners. This method, developed by world-renowned physiotherapist Robin McKenzie, responds to increasing demand from patients and third-party payers for professional rehabilitation treatments that effectively and efficiently build a patient’s self-treatment skills. Additionally, it supports the body’s inherent capacity to heal itself without the use of medication, surgery, or other passive treatments such as heat, ice, or ultrasound therapy. The McKenzie Method is a highly regarded and successful technique that has been utilized for over 30 years by licensed physiotherapists. 

Due to the McKenzie Method’s enormous success, it’s unsurprising that it’s widely acknowledged as the most research-tested approach worldwide. Our physiotherapists in Edmonton, Canada, are educated to assess and diagnose musculoskeletal problems, and the McKenzie Method is an effective technique for determining a diagnosis. The procedure works by applying a series of mechanical forces to the patient’s body to analyze the mechanical changes and any symptoms. This then categorizes the patient as spinal or extremity, and the appropriate treatment plan can be devised through the use of appropriate exercises, manual approaches, and patient education. 

If you are suffering from any of the following: 

• Sciatica 
• Hips or buttocks, shoulders or upper arms arthritic discomfort 
• Difficulty bending as a result of lower back stiffness or pain 
• Back or neck pain that appears to radiate to the buttocks or shoulders 
• Numbness in the feet or hands on an intermittent basis 

If you have aching discomfort in your elbows or knees that have not been alleviated by treatment in these regions, a certified McKenzie clinician at Family Physiotherapy in Edmonton, Canada, may be able to aid you. They are trained to analyze and diagnose all aspects of the musculoskeletal system and to assist you in understanding how you can help yourself reduce your pain, stiffness, or capacity to perform your job or everyday activities. 

What is involved? 

EVALUATION —STEP 1

MDT begins with a full history of your symptoms and their behavior. You will be required to make specific movements and rest in specific postures. The primary distinction between this assessment and the majority of others is the utilization of repeated movements rather than a single movement. The way your symptoms and range of motion change as a result of these repetitive motions provides information to the clinician that they can use to classify your problem. 

CLASSIFICATION – STEP 2 

Each syndrome is treated uniquely, with customized mechanical techniques that include repeated movements and sustained postures. MDT is a thorough categorization method that includes a subgroup of individuals who cannot be categorized into one of the basic three Syndromes but are classed as having significant pathologies, non-mechanical causes, or real chronic pain. 

TREATMENT – STEP 3 

Based on the information gathered during the evaluation, the clinician will prescribe particular exercises and advise on which postures to adopt and which to avoid temporarily. If your condition presents mechanically in a more challenging manner, a skilled MDT clinician may need to incorporate hands-on treatments until you can self-manage. The objective is to be as effective as possible in as few sessions as feasible. Treatment that you can execute five or six times per day is more likely to be effective in a shorter period of time than treatment delivered once or twice per week by the therapist. The emphasis is on your active participation as the patient. This can help reduce the number of clinic visits. Finally, when supplied with the proper knowledge and tools, the majority of patients can successfully treat themselves. 

PREVENTION – STEP 4 

By acquiring the ability to self-treat the current issue, you obtain knowledge about how to minimize the likelihood of recurrence. Additionally, you can quickly address recurrent symptoms, putting you in control of your treatment safely and efficiently. Persistent problems are more likely to be avoided with self-care than with passive care. 

What are the advantages of employing the McKenzie Technique? 

Patient involvement and education are two of the most helpful features of physiotherapy. The McKenzie Method strongly urges you to consider both of these factors in order to gain a better understanding of how our specialist therapy services can assist you in achieving your goals. A critical component of the McKenzie Method is the first evaluation, which enables physiotherapists to arrive at a safe, reliable, and accurate diagnosis prior to developing a treatment plan. This also assists in ensuring that the therapist and you are on the same page from the start. 

Contact Family Physiotherapy to find a long-lasting relief to your pain

If you are suffering from pain around your back, neck, arms, or legs region and would want to learn more about our McKenzie Method implementation, contact Family Physiotherapy now to schedule an appointment. Our physiotherapy office in Edmonton, Canada, would be delighted to accept you as a patient and get you back to enjoying the activities you love!