The McKenzie Method
The McKenzie Method®, also known as Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy®, is a philosophy of active patient involvement and education that is trusted and used by practitioners and patients all over the world to treat back, neck, and extremity problems. McKenzie treatment uniquely emphasizes education and active patient involvement in the management of their treatment in order to decrease pain quickly, and restore function and independence minimizing the number of visits to the clinic.
Movement
“Movement is life. Restore the quality of movement to restore the quality of life.” Moshe Feldenkrais. Body Phyx,™ restores the quality of movement.
The Active Therapeutic Movement (ATM2) machine is a specialized rehabilitation device designed to provide immediate relief from musculoskeletal pain by retraining the central nervous system (CNS). Unlike traditional exercise equipment, it focuses on neuromuscular re-education to fix “faulty” movement patterns that cause chronic pain.
Common Conditions Treated
The ATM2 is particularly effective for mechanical pain that fluctuates with movement, including:
- Chronic low back and neck pain
- Sciatica and disc-related issues
- Scoliosis and posture correction
- Hip, shoulder, and knee dysfunction
Here at CHC Physical Therapy, this unique device is often integrated into broader programs like Body Phyx™ to restore the “gliding and sliding” of the nervous system for long-term health.
Key Benefits
- Overcomes Patient Fatigue: It allows for a much higher number of repetitions than a patient could achieve through self-directed “press-up” exercises, which are often limited by arm strength or fatigue.
- Centralization of Pain: It helps achieve “centralization“—the movement of pain from the extremities (like the leg) back toward the spine—which is a key indicator of successful recovery.
- Passive Recovery: Ideal for patients with shoulder, elbow, or wrist issues that prevent them from performing traditional McKenzie exercises independently.
- Rapid Results: In acute cases like lumbar derangements, the REPEX machine can sometimes restore full movement in 20 to 30 minutes by safely providing controlled, measurable doses of movement.
The REPEX (Repeated End-Range Passive Exercise) machine is a specialized rehabilitation device developed by Robin McKenzie to automate the McKenzie Method (Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy) for treating low back pain.
How It Works
The treatment is based on a patient’s “directional preference“—a specific movement direction that reduces their symptoms. A certified McKenzie specialist evaluates the patient and sets the machine’s touchscreen to the precise angle, speed, and number of cycles required to target the spinal mechanical disorder safely and effectively.
