At ReSOLVE we pride ourselves on being certified practitioners of the most current, research-backed method of physical therapy to assess, diagnose, and treat our patients.

Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT)

Also known as the McKenzie method is a philosophy of active patient involvement and education for back, neck, and limb problems. More than half of all pain and issues from muscles, bones, joints, and nerves are mechanical problems, yet far too many are treated as if the issue was strictly chemical or inflammatory. Mechanical problems (or movement and position based problems) need mechanical solutions.

The Key Difference with MDT is the assessment.

The MDT assessment process uses movement – repeated movement – which provides a safe and reliable way to accurately reach a diagnosis. It is from the movement based diagnosis that the person-specific treatment plan is formed and tailored using the body’s feedback. Expensive tests (X-ray, MRI, etc.) are rarely required because Certified MDT clinicians can identify signs to know if—and how—the McKenzie Method will work for each patient.

MDT is an internationally acclaimed method of assessment and treatment for spinal and limb pain.

New Zealand Physiotherapist Robin McKenzie began with a chance discovery in the 1950’s and after decades of observation and testing, he found the human body had predictable patterns. He came to the United States in the 1980’s and offered his findings to be scrutinized by others. Research continues to this day, here in the US and around the world, making MDT the most researched conservative method of treating musculoskeletal disorders worldwide.

MDT categorizes musculoskeletal disorders by how the symptoms behave.

ReSolve’s certified MDT clinicians assess, diagnose, and treat ALL areas of the musculoskeletal system – not just the spine.

Watch Robin McKenzie discuss his method:

How Certification in MDT Changed this Doctor’s Internal Medicine Practice:

Learn even more about MDT at the McKenzie Institute website.