Do you have back or neck pain? Do you have numbness, burning or tingling in your shoulder blade, arm or hand and fingers? Do you have pain or altered sensation in your hip, buttock, leg or feet and toes?
Have you tried other forms of treatment with little or only partial success? Do you find yourself depending on others to help you care for your body? You can learn to successfully treat your own back and neck pain, and it may be easier than you might think. Read on to find out how…

The Birth of the McKenzie Method:
Robin McKenzie, a physical therapist from New Zealand, made an astonishing discovery in the 1950s. He found that certain movements or positions could change the back pain of his clients. Some movements or positions (also called "postures") would make his patient's symptoms of back, neck, arm or leg pain worse, while others would make them better. From these early days of discovery, McKenzie developed a method to help clinicians more successfully treat the symptoms of back and neck pain.

What to Expect:
From the detailed history to the movement exam, your therapist has one goal: to help you lessen or completely rid yourself of back or neck pain by getting to the cause of your back or neck problem. You are the key person in a successful back or neck rehabilitation program. Your therapist has the training to find out how movement and postures can improve your symptoms of pain, or altered sensation in your back, neck arms or legs.

During the exam you will be asked to move in certain ways or hold certain postures under the close supervision of your therapist. Attention will be paid to how these movements or postures affect your symptoms. From this initial exam, you and your therapist will decide on a course of treatment to most effectively improve your symptoms, how you function and your overall quality of life.

How to Prepare:
You can start by paying attention to several things:

1.	Does your pain travel up or down your arm or leg?
2.	Do you experience pain with certain postures such as sitting or standing?
3.	Do you experience pain with certain movements such as bending forward or walking?
4.	Does the time of day seem to make any difference in your pain? First thing in the morning vs. at the end of a work day?
5.	Do you have any weakness, loss of movement or problems with other organ systems that are new since the most recent onset of back or neck pain?
6.	Importantly, if you've had this pain before, what have you done for treatment? Chiropractic care, Acupuncture, Medication, Physical Therapy or any other form of treatment? Was the treatment helpful?
7.	Most importantly, can you answer this question: What is the one movement or posture that is guaranteed to consistently make your pain worse? Consistently make your pain better?

How to Get Started:
You can begin by scheduling an initial evaluation at Healing Bridge Physical Therapy with one of our McKenzie trained therapists. Fast relief of your back or neck pain is just a phone call away! Call us at 318-7041 to schedule your first visit today, and take the most important step towards a pain free future!