Course content

• Introduction to MDT: Principles and philosophy.
• Assessment Techniques: Patient history, physical examination, and repeated movement testing.
• Classification System: Derangement, dysfunction, postural syndrome, and “other” subgroups.
• Treatment Protocols: Directional preference, centralization, and patient-led exercises.
• Clinical Application: Case studies and hands-on practice.

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PART A: THE LUMBAR SPINE

COURSE AIMS

Following attentive participation in, and completion of, this course will provide participants with the introductory knowledge, basic skills and abilities to begin to:

1. Describe and discuss the basic principles of MDT and how it fits within the context of the biopsychosocial back pain experience.
2. Appropriately apply the McKenzie Method of MDT to patients with lumbar spine problems.
3. Distinguish between the MDT syndromes (Derangement, Dysfunction, Postural) and OTHER subgroups and provide appropriate management regimens for each of the MDT syndromes.
4. Identify when the application of external forces is required for the resolution of symptoms using MDT’s concept of ‘Progression of Forces’.
5. . Recognise how to assist patients to design and apply the therapeutic processes to achieve management goals, taking into account any personal or environmental barriers to recovery.
6. Describe and discuss the basic principles of MDT and how it fits within the context of the biopsychosocial back pain experience.
7. Appropriately apply the McKenzie Method of MDT to patients with lumbar spine problems.
8. Distinguish between the MDT syndromes (Derangement, Dysfunction, Postural) and OTHER subgroups and provide appropriate management regimens for each of the MDT syndromes.
9. Identify when the application of external forces is required for the resolution of symptoms using MDT’s concept of  ‘Progression of Forces’.
10. Recognise how to assist patients to design and apply the therapeutic processes to achieve management goals, taking into account any personal or environmental barriers to recovery.

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PART B: THE CERVICAL SPINE

COURSE AIMS

Following attentive participation in, and completion of, this course will provide participants with the introductory knowledge, basic skills and abilities to begin to:

1. Appropriately apply the McKenzie Method of MDT to patients with cervical and thoracic spine problems.
2. Distinguish between the MDT syndromes (Derangement, Dysfunction, Postural) and OTHER subgroups and provide appropriate management regimens for each of the MDT syndromes.
3. . Identify when the application of external forces is required for the resolution of symptoms using MDT’s concept of  ‘Progression of Forces’.
4. Recognise how to assist patients to design and apply the therapeutic processes to achieve management goals, taking into account any personal or environmental barriers to recovery.

Learning  Objectives

Part A: Course overview and topics to be covered:

• This Three-day course introduces the theoretical aspects and concepts of the McKenzie Method in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), as it is applied to the musculoskeletal system. The focus of this course, which is the first in the
  McKenzie course series, is the assessment, classification and management of patients with complaints of low back, related referred pain and functional limitations.
• In certain countries, one day of the course is completed as an online distance learning component. This online component is
• completed prior to attending the three days at a teaching venue with an instructor. In countries that don’t utilise the
  online distance learning component the full four-day course is completed onsite with an instructor.
• The principles of MDT and how they apply in the context of the biopsychosocial framework of managing patients with musculoskeletal pain and functional limitations will be a key focus. The participants will explore and extensively
  practice the MDT assessment, classification and management process s through lectures, workshops, discussions, and patient demonstrations.
• The classifications of Derangement, Dysfunction and Postural syndromes are described in detail and appropriate management plans are discussed, with emphasis on the use of patient self-treatment procedures and education.
• Indications for the use of clinician procedures will also be discussed and the procedures demonstrated and practiced. Subgroups not fulfilling the criteria of the McKenzie syndromes are introduced and the basis for their differential diagnosis is outlined.
• Follow-up patient demonstrations will illustrate the reassessment process and allow participants to get a realistic feel and understanding of the impact of the MDT system on differing patient presentations over 2-3 treatment sessions.
• The course will include an illustrated manual and complete reference list. Participants will also have access to videos of all procedures, the full reference list on the MII website and a voluntary self -assessment post-course quiz (English Only).

Part B: Course overview and topics to be covered:

• This Three-day course focuses on the application of MDT to the cervical and thoracic spine. The course details the assessment, classification and management of patients with complaints of cervical and thoracic pain, related referred pain, and functional limitations.

• In certain countries, one day of the course is completed as an online distance learning component. This online component is completed prior to attending the three days at a teaching venue with an Instructor. In countries that don’t utilize the online distance learning component, the full four-day course is completed onsite with an Instructor.

• Licensed physiotherapists or final-year physiotherapy students.
• Basic knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy and assessment.

• Attendance of all sessions.
• Active participation in practical workshops.
• Completion of case studies.

• Enhances clinical reasoning and treatment efficiency.
• Reduces reliance on passive therapies (e.g., manual therapy, modalities).
• Applicable in outpatient clinics, sports medicine, and rehabilitation settings.

• Understand the McKenzie Method’s theoretical framework.

• Conduct systematic MDT assessments.
• Prescribe and progress patient-specific exercise programs.

• Shift toward a patient-centered, evidence-based practice model.
• Confidence in managing complex musculoskeletal cases.