McKenzie method neck and back treatment is a very comprehensive treatment system. It has been widely adopted amongst the physiotherapist community in Britain and Australia. In recent years, many international medical literature and clinical studies have affirmed its therapeutic effect. The McKenzie method can be divided into three parts: the examination and assessment, treatment, and prevention.

1. Examination and Assessment

 All accredited McKenzie method practitioners have the ability to check and assess the extent of the patient’s pain and activity limitations under the McKenzie disorder classification.

2. Treatment

 After a detailed examination, the physiotherapist will prescribe some specific neck/back movements as well as perform a few manual therapeutic techniques on the patient. The prescribed movements are based on the patient’s clinical condition. McKenzie’s method emphasizes that treatment has to involve the patient’s maximum participation in exercise therapy for it to be the most efficient and effective. Eventually, most patients should be able to learn and understand their situation so well that they are able to self manage without depending as much on the therapist.

3. Prevention Strategy

Prevention strategies are very individualistic as each patient will have a different lifestyle, different body type and shape, as well as possibly a different mechanism of back injury. In general, prevention will be a mix of posture correction, strengthening and stretching neck and back exercises, teaching of proper lifting/bending/other appropriate movements and advice on movements or activities to be cautious of performing.

 For any further information regarding the McKenzie method:

 The McKenzie Institute International: http://www.mckenzieinstitute.org/patients/what-is-the-mckenzie-method/