Common misconceptions of the McKenzie Method®

There are many misconceptions associated with MDT, several of which are listed below:

Let us address each of these issues point by point to more accurately portray what MDT is:

MDT is NOT a series of exercises

Although exercises are important, MDT is an assessment process and problem solving paradigm. The clinician takes clues from the history about the effects of specific loading strategies on symptoms. During the history, the clinician begins to formulate a differential diagnosis. First, is it a problem with a mechanical influence, a medical influence, a biopsychosocial influence or any combination of the above? Second, if mechanical, which of the syndromes is likely the diagnosis: derangement, dysfunction, posture or “other?”. The physical examination which includes a series of loading strategies confirms or refutes the postulated diagnosis.

MDT is NOT only about derangement

Although very common, Derangement syndrome is not the only syndrome in MDT. The other two syndromes - Contractile or Articular Dysfunction and Postural syndrome are important clinical entities. The fourth classification is ‘Other’ which consists of a number of sub groups of pathologies that can recognised by MDT Clinicians and managed appropriately e.g stenosis, chronic pain state, sacro-iliac, joint pathologies etc.

MDT is NOT just extension

Although a common treatment recommendation, all planes of movement are considered in both assessment and treatment. The direction of exercise utilised in treatment is dependent on the symptomatic and mechanical response to repeated movements or sustained positions during the assessment process.

MDT is NOT just about repeated end range movements

Static positioning and mid-range movements are all part of the spectrum of force progressions. 

MDT is NOT just about the intervertebral disc

Whilst  the disc model is a useful way of explaining Derangement in the spine the actual source of most low back pain is not known.   It needs to be stressed that MDT is not reliant on a patho-anatomical diagnosis but is based around a sound research proven classification system, and this in itself guides the clinician to the required management strategy. 

MDT does NOT ignore biopsychosocial influences

In fact, with its emphasis on education and patient empowerment, MDT is a very strong biopsychosocial system of clinical management. MDT clinicians are trained to recognise psychosocial factors including fear avoidance behaviour and passive coping strategies.

MDT does NOT exclude manual therapy

Although we take a “hands off” approach first, mobilisation and manipulation are all part of the continuum of force progressions. MDT’s focus is primarily on education and self-directed treatments in order to reduce dependency on the clinician and to empower the patient to control their symptoms. Where this is not successful the use of hands-on techniques such as mobilisation is considered. However, the use of hands-on techniques is only used to enable the patient to return to self-treatment. We put our hands on, only to take them off again.

MDT is NOT just about the spine

The concepts of assessment and classification can be applied successfully to the extremity joints as well.

As a brief summary, MDT is a classification system. It seeks to differentiate between mechanical and non-mechanical sources of pain and functional limitation. Symptomatic and mechanical changes are assessed using repeated end range movements and sustained positions.

The MDT mechanical syndromes are Derangement, Dysfunction and Postural.