What are McKenzie exercises for low back pain?

Posted in: Management    Keywords: , , , , ,

McKenzie Lumbar Flexion

Robin McKenzie was a physical therapist from New Zealand. In the 1960s, he developed exercises based on his observation that people with low back pain often prefer one direction of motion to others. He called his finding “directional preference,” and that term is sometimes applied to the exercises. McKenzie exercises for low back pain usually consist of either repeated flexion or repeated extension of the low back.

The goal of both exercises is to produce “centralization.” As you achieve centralization, your low back pain will become focused near the center of your spine and slowly decrease. These exercises also gradually increase the flexibility of your low back until it returns to normal.

McKenzie exercises are a little bit different from simple lumbar flexion or lumbar extension stretches. The first step is to determine which direction of movement produces centralization. You can try to do this yourself, or you can see a health provider trained in McKenzie exercises, such as a chiropractor or physical therapist. After an evaluation, the health provider can teach you how to do McKenzie exercises to reduce your pain.

McKenzie lumbar flexion. Lie with your back flat on the floor, your legs bent at hips and knees, and your feet on the floor. Raise your legs slowly, trying to bring your knees to your chest. If you can bring both knees to your chest, wrap your arms over your legs and try to squeeze your knees into your chest with your arms. Then, slowly release your legs and bring each foot down to the floor one at a time. Repeat the process.

McKenzie lumbar extension. Lie flat on the floor on your stomach with your arms by your sides. Raise your arms and place your palms on the floor near your shoulders, in a push-up position. Start the extension by slowly raising your head to look up. Use your hands to push into the floor and slowly arch first your upper back, and then your mid-back. Keep your legs straight and gently push into the floor during this exercise, so that you feel it more in the low back. Once most of your back is arched back and off the floor, you can slowly reverse the process until you are lying flat again.

 
Corporate Office: 2732 Transit Rd. West Seneca, NY 14224 | Phone (716) 712-2700 or 1-888-266-9041 | FAX (716) 712-2308
© 2006 - 2012 Palladian Health.