On Friday 10th January I sat an exam for the McKenzie Institute, the body set up to teach the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy all over the world.
The exam, a practical one, was the final component for me to achieve the title of Credentialed McKenzie Therapist, and I am happy to say I passed.
So why did I do this?
Why spend 6 weekends last year reviewing course notes, taking mock exam papers, practicing techniques I might not use often and talking to other physio’s who had completed the process?
“Can you charge more now?” My physio mates asked me.
“You’ve been a physio for 20 years Mobbsy – why bother now?” My cycling mates asked me.
The answer has to do with outcomes for our patients: At Personal Best we want to be as effective as possible as physiotherapists.
If you are likely to respond to physio, we want to get you better in the shortest timeframe possible. If you are unlikely to respond to physio, we want to identify you quickly and refer you on to someone who can help you.
After sitting these exams my history-taking and assessment skills are sharper and I can teach this approach to other physiotherapists at a high level. This means that regardless of who you see at Personal Best you will receive a consistent and high standard of assessment and treatment. It also means that if you have seen me in the past, but I don’t have any appointments available that whoever you see will approach you and your problem in a similar way to me.
If you want to read a little more about the McKenzie Method click here for some basic information directed to patients.
https://www.mckenzieinstituteaustralia.org/patients/what-does-it-involve/
If you currently have back or neck pain and you are unsure who to see, take this quiz and read the instructions about the results – it tells you if a McKenzie Assessment is appropriate for you.
https://www.mckenzieinstituteaustralia.org/patients/is-it-appropriate-for-me/
And if this blog is simply a reminder to you that you should book in to see us, then call Mary on 6056 6616 – she will find a day and time that works for you to come in and see Maneesha and I for advice, direction and treatment.
