Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT)

[lehughes]

This is another e-mail that came in to me... but I thought I'd post it here, because maybe there is information out there on the McKenzie method in dogs that I don't know about! Here goes!

Hi Laurie,
I’m a physiotherapist in Sweden who practice Mechanical Diagnosis and Treatment (MDT), known as the McKenzie method. In the latest years I’ve been thinking and wondering about its effects on dogs. When I searched the webb I found a short article written by you, ”Conservative management of chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbal intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)”, where you mention ”directional exercises”. Have you tried this yourself? Do you know where I can find information?
I’m applying for a job at an animal Clinic and wanted some support for my reasoning.

Best regards,
O.R.

[lehughes]

Hey O!

So, I have incorporated some ‘movement’ based therapies into what I do for the dogs. I would say that what I’ve found is that the McKenzie method cannot be a stand alone treatment in dogs, but the concepts can be incorporated with your other therapies.
I don’t know of any literature on the subject however. I’ve only ever heard of physios asking about it and/or trying some of it with their disc patients. Nowhere have I even seen a presentation about it (regarding dogs)! We are still at the 100% human extrapolation phase I’m afraid!
So maybe it will be YOU that writes the paper and/or makes the presentation!!!

Best of luck getting the job!!!

Laurie