The McKenzie Technique is a logical approach that uses a patient's response to movements and positions, which influence the therapist's decisions about treatments and diagnoses.

Once thought of as extension only exercises, McKenzie method is a well-defined algorithm that leads to the simple classification of spinal-related disorders.  It is based on a consistent "cause and effect" relationship between historical pain behavior as well as the pain response to repeated test movements, positions and activities during the assessment process.

As systematic progression of mechanical forces (the cause) uses pain response (the effect) to monitor changes in motion/function.  The underlying disorder can then be quickly identified through objective findings for each individual patient.  The McKenzie classification of spinal pain provides reproducible means of separating patients with apparently similar presentations into definable sub-groups (syndromes) to determine appropriate treatment.

McKenzie treatment uniquely emphasizes education and active patient involvement in the management of their treatment in order to decrease pain quickly and restore function and independence, minimizing the number of visits to the clinic.  And if a problem is more complex, self treatment may not be possible right away.  However, a certified McKenzie clinician will know when to provide additional advanced hands-on-techniques until the patient can successfully manage the prescribed skills on their own.

Ultimately, most patients can successfully treat themselves when provided the necessary knowledge and tools.  An individualized self-treatment program tailored to the lifestyle of the patient puts the patient in control safely and effectively.

Patients gain an experimental education while learning to self-treat their present problem.  The management of these skills and behaviors will minimize the risk of recurrence and allow patients to rapidly manage themselves when symptoms occur.