Part A – MDT: Lumbar Spine

An introduction to the concepts and applications of the McKenzie Method® of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy® (MDT) focusing on the lumbar spine. Principle format is lecture, discussion and live patient demonstrations.

Course Outline includes:

• Epidemiology and predisposing factors
• Evidence for MDT in the lumbar spine
• Classification, examination and management of Derangement, Dysfunction, and Postural syndromes, and subgroups of OTHER
• Understanding pain and disability drivers and their relationship to MDT Classification
• Pathoanatomical considerations, movement and loading
• MDT Procedures: Rationale, clinical reasoning and application
• Patient demonstration, analysis and discussion

Instructional Level: Basic
Program Goals and Objectives: click here
Eligibility Details: click here

Course Structure and Schedule:

The typical Part A course structure is 2 sessions online followed by 2 days in a clinic setting. Session 1 (the first online component) allows you to work at your own convenience and learn from an interactive blend of visuals, audio and video, but still participate in the live course that is so integral to the McKenzie educational programming. Session 2 is held online (typically on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening starting at 4pm through until 9pm) and taught live by the course instructor. Sessions 3 and 4 are typically held in a clinic setting or depending on the course, they may be held online. Sessions 3 and 4 typically run 8am until 5pm on a Saturday and Sunday.

Total Course: 28 hours
Standard Course Timeline*: 4 Sessions (a combination of online and in-person, or fully online)

Course Fees:
$695.00

*Additional Part A Course Information Suggestions:

• Bring a pen/pencil and highlighter for note taking
• Attire is business casual; appropriate for lab that can easily allow you to move and provide exposure to back, trunk or extremities
• Take the free online Overview Course
• Read the textbook, THE LUMBAR SPINE: Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy. In Canada, you can purchase this text through The Physio Store by calling 1-519-439-6333 or visiting the Physio Store website.

Part B – MDT: Cervical and Thoracic Spine

This course examines how McKenzie MDT applies to the cervical and thoracic spines, utilizing the same teaching format as Part A and also begins with a comprehensive online session, followed by a three-day live course.

Course Outline includes:

• Pathophysiology and biomechanics of the cervical spine
• Subjective / objective assessment
• Review and treatment of the three syndromes
• Cervical headache and trauma ('whiplash')
• Complications, contraindications and outcome predictors
• Thoracic spine: anatomy, pathology, examination and treatment
• Patient demonstration, analysis and discussion

Pre-requisite: Completion of Part A, or Parts A and C
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Program Goals and Objectives: click here
Eligibility Details: click here

Course Structure and Schedule:

The typical Part B course structure is 2 sessions online followed by 2 days in a clinic setting. Session 1 (the first online component) allows you to work at your own convenience and learn from an interactive blend of visuals, audio and video, but still participate in the live course that is so integral to the McKenzie educational programming. Session 2 is held online (typically on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening starting at 4pm through until 9pm) and taught live by the course instructor. Sessions 3 and 4 are typically held in a clinic setting or depending on the course, they may be held online. Sessions 3 and 4 typically run 8am until 5pm on a Saturday and Sunday.

Total Course: 28 hours
Standard Course Timeline*: 4 Sessions (a combination of online and in-person, or fully online)

Course Fees:
$695.00

*Additional Part B Course Information:

• Bring a pen/pencil and highlighter for note taking
• Attire is business casual; appropriate for lab that can easily allow you to move and provide exposure to back, trunk or extremities
• Please review your Part A materials, especially Modules 3-4, as the Part B manual refers back to it on occasion
• Read the textbook, THE CERVICAL AND THORACIC SPINE: Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy. In Canada, you can purchase this text through The Physio Store by calling 1-519-439-6333 or by visiting the Physio Store website.

Part C – MDT: Advanced Lumbar Spine and Extremities – Lower Limb

This course focuses on advanced McKenzie MDT principles and practical application for the lumbar spine and an introduction for the lower limb. Upon completion of the course, you will be given access to additional videos of MDT Procedures relevant to this phase in the curriculum.

Course Outline includes:

• Centralization of pain and recovery of function
• Exercises not taken far enough vs. inadequate time for reduction
• Patient instructions and exercises performed 'actively'
• Extension and flexion principles
• Extension in the presence of a lateral shift
• Adherent nerve root, sacroiliac and hip joints
• Technique practice and clinician confidence
• Patient demonstration, analysis and discussion

Pre-requisite: Completion of Part A, or with completion of Parts A and B. You do not require Part B to attend a Part C course.
Instructional Level: Advanced
Program Goals and Objectives: click here
Eligibility Details: click here

Course Structure and Schedule:

The typical Part C course structure is 1 or 2 sessions online followed by 2 or 3 days in a clinic setting. Each course may vary slightly. Sessions 1 and 4 are typically held online (typically on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening starting at 4pm through until 9pm) and taught live by the course instructor. Sessions 2 and 3 are typically held in a clinic setting or depending on the course, they may be held online. Sessions 2 and 3 typically run 8am until 5pm on a Saturday and Sunday. From time to time a fully online Part C course may be offered. Fully online courses require the registrant to recruit an asymptomatic patient model for the pratical sessions. Please read the individual course description for further details.

Total Course: 28 hours
Standard Course Timeline*: 4 Sessions (a combination of online and in-person, or fully online)

Course Fees:
$795.00

* Additional Part C Course Information:

• Bring a pen/pencil and highlighter for note taking
• Attire is business casual; appropriate for lab that can easily allow you to move and provide exposure to back, trunk or extremities
• Please review your Parts A course manual
• Read the textbook HUMAN EXTREMITIES: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. In Canada, you can purchase this text through The Physio Store by calling 1-519-439-6333 or by visiting the Physio Store website.
• Make a list of any areas you still have questions about or that challenge you
  

Part D – MDT: Advanced Cervical & Thoracic Spine and Extremities - Upper Limb

This course focuses on advanced McKenzie MDT principles and practical application for the cervical and thoracic spine and an introduction for the upper limb. Upon completion of the course, you will be given access to additional videos of MDT Procedures relevant to Parts A – D curriculum.

Course Outline includes:

• Establishing correct diagnosis and identifying multiple diagnoses
• Recognizing appropriate vs. inappropriate changes
• Progression of forces in treatment
• Reactivation / functional restoration
• Patient compliance and reassessment
• Indications for use of advanced manual therapy techniques
• Application of advanced clinician techniques

Pre-requisite: Completion of Part A, B and C*
Instructional Level: Advanced
Program Goals and Objectives: click here
Eligibility Details: click here

Course Structure and Schedule:

The typical Part D course structure is 1 or 2 sessions online followed by 2 or 3 days in a clinic setting. Each course may vary slightly. Sessions 1 and 4 are typically held online (typically on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening starting at 4pm through until 9pm) and taught live by the course instructor. Sessions 2 and 3 are typically held in a clinic setting or depending on the course, they may be held online. Sessions 2 and 3 typically run 8am until 5pm on a Saturday and Sunday. From time to time a fully online Part D course may be offered. Fully online courses require the registrant to recruit an asymptomatic patient model for the pratical sessions. Please read the individual course description for further details.

Total Course: 28 hours
Standard Course Timeline*: 4 Sessions (a combination of online and in-person, or fully online)

*Some Things to Consider
If you completed Part A to C prior to 2011 before the extremities were incorporated, we highly recommend:

• Audit Part C before taking Part D
• Reading the Human Extremities textbook before the course.
• Purchasing a D Plus Plan to gain access to the updated A and B online components and updated A and B manuals

Course Fees:
$795.00

* Additional Part D Course Information:

• Bring a pen/pencil and highlighter for note taking
• Attire is business casual; appropriate for lab that can easily allow you to move and provide exposure to back, trunk or extremities
• Please review your Parts A, B and C materials
• Read the textbook, HUMAN EXTREMITIES: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. In Canada, you can purchase this text through The Physio Store by calling 1-519-439-6333 or by visiting the Physio Store website.
• Make a list of any areas you still have questions about or that challenge you
  

MDT: Advanced Extremities

This intensive two day course will focus on more advanced principles and practical application through clinical reasoning, problem solving, analysis of case studies, assessment and treatment of patients, and technique work.

The goal of this course is to build on prior knowledge gained from the introduction of extremities in Parts C and D to:

• Appropriately apply the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy to patients with extremity problems;
• Distinguish between the McKenzie Syndromes (Postural, Dysfunction, and Derangement) as applied to the extremities;
• Provide appropriate management regimens for each of the syndromes;
• Identify when force progressions and force alternatives are required for the resolution of symptoms using McKenzie's 'progression of forces' concept;
• Design and apply appropriate MDT management for patients presenting with extremity symptoms to enable them to achieve their management goals.

Pre-requisite: Part D completion.

Instructional Level: Advanced
Program Goals and Objectives:click here
Eligibility Details: click here

Standard Live Course Timeline*: 2 days; 14 contact hours

Course Format Options	Time
Saturday-Sunday	Times vary depending on clinic availability.
Sunday-Monday	Times vary depending on clinic availability.

*View the 'Details' online via the Course-Exam Schedule Locator

Course Fee:
$475.00

* Additional Advanced Extremities Course Information:

• Bring a pen/pencil and highlighter for note taking
• Attire is business casual; appropriate for lab that can easily allow you to move and provide exposure to back, trunk or extremities
• Read the textbook, HUMAN EXTREMITIES: Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. In Canada, you can purchase this text through The Physio Store.

Master Classes

MDT Masterclass: Management of Radicular Syndrome

This 2-day fully ONLINE course presents the theory and application of Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy as applied in the examination and treatment of patients with spinal and/or related radicular symptoms. Emphasis will be placed on the evaluation and management of lumbar and cervical radiculopathies.
The pathologies that can lead to radiculopathy will be described and the clinical elements of each discussed. The role of injections and surgery will be discussed, including the role of MDT in postoperative management. The differential diagnosis of other causes of symptoms in the limbs will be explored.
Material will be presented through a mix of oral presentations, interview presentations, case study analysis and group problem solving.  Clinicians who have some experience in the application of MDT in the context of spinal pathologies, will find this course particularly interesting and challenging.

Course Objectives
Through active participation in the training, participants will develop their ability to:

1. Describe the natural history of degenerative changes involving the spine and their relationship to the pathology of the nerve root.
2. Discuss the natural history of spinal disorders and the role of conservative treatment and surgical treatment.
3. Compare and contrast the signs and symptoms of somatic pain referred to the limb, from that arising from the involvement of a nerve root.
4. Identify patients with radicular symptoms that will respond to MDT management and set up an individualized management program.
5. Identify patients with radicular symptoms who do not respond to MDT and who require further medical investigations, interventions and / or surgical evaluations.

Pre-requisite: Completion of a Part C or higher.
Instructional Level: Advanced MDT
Standard Course Timeline*: 2 days; 14.5 contact hours (held in-person or fully online)

Course Days	Course Start and End Time
Saturday	8:00 am - 4:00pm Eastern
Sunday	8:00am - 4:00pm Eastern

*Please adjust the times accordingly for your local time zone. For further details please refer to the specific course page by clicking on the appropriate course link below.

Course Fee:
$500.00 (PRO/PLUS Plan discounts available)

*Additional Masterclass Information:

• Online courses require the student be visibly present throughout the course, therefore, the student requires computer equipment with both camera and audio capabilities.
• 2 hours of pre-course prep will be required prior to the course. Prep details will be sent out 30 days prior to the start of the course.

MDT Clinical Skills Symposium

This course focuses on a review and update of the principles and application of the McKenzie theory and techniques of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy^®. The course will include more intensive clinical reasoning and problem solving through a high volume of patient demonstrations and case study analysis involving all regions of the spine as well as the extremities. Each major subdivision of the course has very specific educational objectives that will reinforce the knowledge and skills which will further refine your own abilities in applying these principles.

With two instructors, the opportunity for one-on-one tutelage is significantly greater.

Following attentive participation and completion, this course will provide participants with advanced knowledge and skills to:

1. More effectively apply the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy to patients with spine or extremity problems.
2. Further cultivate patient interviewing skills to accurately determine the most efficient examination pathway.
3. With the more challenging patient, distinguish between the McKenzie syndromes (postural, dysfunction, and derangement) as applied to the spine and extremity problems, and provide appropriate treatment regimens for each of the syndromes and their sub-classifications.
4. More readily identify when the application of external forces is required for the resolution of symptoms using McKenzie's "progression of forces" concept.
5. Refine the ability to teach patients to apply the therapeutic processes on their own to maintain treatment goals.

Pre-requisite:
Completion of Parts A, B, C and D (This course is not a requirement to sit the Credentialing Examination.)
Instructional Level: Advanced
Program Goals and Objectives: click here
Eligibility Details: click here

Standard Live Course Timeline*: 2 days, 15 contact hours

Course Format	Time
Saturday	8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday	8:00am - 5:00pm

*View the 'Details' online via the Course-Exam Schedule Locator

Course Fees:
Fees vary please see the specific course page for more details
Audit(Retake): Not Applicable

 

MDT Workshop

From time to time, MICanada will offer special MDT Advanced Workshops. These workshops have been specifically designed to provide MDT trained practitioners with an opportunity to refine their techniques and improve their clinical reasoning capabilities using a combination of lecture, case studies and role playing. 

The format and content will differ for each workshop. However, each workshop will have very specific educational objectives, specifically designed to strengthen your MDT knowledge and skills and to further refine your own abilities in applying these principles.  The shorter workshops will primarily take place online. The longer workshops will typically be held in a live classroom setting.  

Longer workshops count toward continuing education requirements for Diploma and Credentialled MDT Clinicians. Attending a two-day workshop will enable Dip or Cert MDT clinicians to fulfill their CCES requirement and maintain their status on The McKenzie Institute Canada Provider Locator.

MDT Workshops may include any combination of:

• Practice of techniques
• Advanced Case studies, role playing, and problem solving
• Open forum discussion of issues clinicians face applying MDT
• Patient assessment & problem solving (varies depending on type of workshop)
• Live instruction
• What’s new in MDT - latest research and trends.

Typical Workshop Length: 2 hours to 2 days. Each event varies so please read the description provided under each workshop listing.

Pre-requisite: Please refer to the individual event listing, as pre-requisite may vary, depending on the course content.

Instructional Level: Please refer to the individual event listing, as the instruction level will vary depending on the content of the workshop.

Eligibility Details: Please refer to the individual event listing, as the instruction level will vary depending on the content of the workshop.

*Click on the course link below for specific details on each event.

Workshop Fees: The fees vary depending on the type of course offered. Please see the individual event listing for full details on price and content. Audit (Retake)fee is not applicable.

Part SE – Special MDT Events

From time to time, the McKenzie Institute Canada Branch will hold a special event specifically designed to introduce Canadian health practitioners to the world of Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy.  The prime objective of these one day educational sessions is to fully demonstrate the benefits of MDT, an evidence-based patient assessment system, to health practitioners that have never been truly exposed to the McKenzie approach.  For many practitioners across the country, their only exposure to the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy was a brief two to three hour overview given during a school term.  These events will provide knowledge seeking practitioners an opportunity to learn why health professionals worldwide are working to attain their certification in the McKenzie Method of MDT.

These events, conducted by accredited McKenzie Institute instructors or special invited guests, typically include a comprehensive overview of the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis & Therapy, real patient demonstrations, a live workshop and an open forum giving attendees an opportunity to question the MDT experts.

Each special event will have its own individual format.  For more information on the individual events, please consult the details section under the course list.

Pre-requisite: None
Instructional Level: Entry
Standard Live Course Timeline*: partial day or full day

*View the 'Details' online via the Course-Exam Schedule Locator

Course Fees: Course fees will vary depending on the location and course inclusions.   Please see the Special Event listing for more details.