What are the benefits of the McKenzie Method®?

Postural syndromes are usually experienced as pain that is located in the back or the neck. Continually remaining in one position or posture, such as slumping in a chair, applies an increasing amount of stress on the soft tissues around the spine.

Derangement syndromes occur when the gel-like disc between two vertebrae are repositioned or displaced with movement. In this class of syndromes, the nature of the pain changes with repeated motion. For instance, the pain may begin over the spine in the lower back, but may move to the buttocks over time.

Dysfunction syndromes involve scar tissue on the spine that manifests as limited movement and/or intermittent back pain. The scar tissue adheres to the spine, muscles, and tissue around the spine. The pain occurs when the scar tissues resulting from an accident or illness are stressed. Usually, such pain occurs when the patient attempts to use their full range of motion.

Patients whose symptom intensity may become better or worse by actively assuming various positions are said to have a directional preference of movement. The hallmark of McKenzie therapy is identifying these preferences. Generally, pain is better tolerated when it is centralized in the spine rather than if it remains in the low back, legs, or hips.

A 2002 randomized controlled trial by Petersen et al. compared the effect of two different treatment modalities for patients with either subacute or chronic back pain. Intensive strengthening training was used as a comparison against the McKenzie therapy. Patients who were assigned to McKenzie therapy showed a statically significant improvement at two months, but not at eight months. The study authors concluded that the benefit of the McKenzie therapy as compared to other, more established methods of physical therapy is debatable.

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