We find the direction. You do the treatment.
The McKenzie Method, also called Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, is not a technique performed on you. It is a system for classifying your pain. Your Doctor of Physical Therapy takes you through specific repeated movements and sustained positions and watches what your symptoms do: whether they worsen, whether they ease, whether they move closer to the spine. The response pattern is the diagnosis, not the spot that hurts.
Most painful spines have a directional preference. One direction of movement settles the symptoms and another provokes them. Once we identify yours, the treatment is largely movement you perform yourself, at the right dose and in the right direction, plus the postural changes that stop you undoing it between visits. Developed by physiotherapist Robin McKenzie, the method is used by certified clinicians worldwide.
Assess, classify, then hand it over.
Movement Assessment
Your first visit runs about an hour. Your Doctor of Physical Therapy takes a detailed history, then tests how your symptoms respond to specific repeated movements and sustained positions. We are watching the response, not just the pain level.
Mechanical Diagnosis
Your response pattern points to the mechanical cause rather than the symptom. From there we build a plan around the specific movements and postures that reduce your pain and improve how you function.
Self-Management
You learn your exercises, how to perform them correctly, and what aggravates the problem. The point is that you can manage a flare-up on your own instead of booking another course of therapy.
Schedule Your Appointment
No referral needed. Most insurances accepted. Two Utah locations.
Your first visit is about an hour with your Doctor of Physical Therapy, and you leave knowing which direction helps.
You’re all set.
We’ll reach out within one business day to confirm your appointment. If you need to speak with us sooner, call us directly.