Mckenzie exercises for sciatica and low back pain #mckenzieexercises#lowbackexercises#sciatica

Many people have heard about McKenzie exercises for sciatica and low back pain. If you had been to the doctor or ER lower back pain and sciatica these exercises may help you.

What are McKenzie exercises?

Many times people have been recommended McKenzie exercises for lower back pain and sciatica. Often times they are either standing lumbar extensions or prone press ups. A common misconception is that these are the only exercises or stretches given to patients after a McKenzie evaluation. The McKenzie method by Robin McKenzie was based on a thorough history of patients problem when it started, how it began, positions or activities that make their condition worse or better followed by the clinical evaluation. A clinical evaluation is a systematic evaluation of the movements and positioning of the patient to determine if the movement or posture can reduce or eliminate their back pain or sciatica. Our goal after evaluation is to give you one exercise to be performed on your own. We're showing you the ones that are most commonly given out patients clinic.

Anatomy of the lower back structures

We discussed the anatomy of lower back or lumbar region and the various structures including the intervertebral bodies, lumbar disc segments, sciatic nerve, intervertebral foramen. We discussed how the the bundle of nerve roots off the lower lumbar spine that come togehter to make up the sciatic nerve. In addition, we discussed how lower back pain and sciatica are simply descriptive terms but don't tell us truly what structures are affected. In that region disc abnormalities, arthritis, disc degeneration, bone supurs, facet arthritis are thought to pinch structure in the lower back and along the sciatic nerve region causing pain,tingling, numbness, weakness, muscle spasms into the back and lower extremities.

Chapters
0:00 Start of Video
0:27 What is a McKenzie Exercise (or McKenzie Method)
1:24 Understanding what the diagnoses of Low Back Pain or Sciatica
2:23 Anatomy of Lumbar Spine
4:50 Are these exercises safe? Centralization and Peripheralization
7:13 Understanding "red flags" is critical to safety
8:39 Start of Exercises

How can be sure I'm doing them safely or they are appropriate for my sciatica and low back pain?

We instruct patients to follow the rules of Central versus Peripheralization when beginning these exercises. Centralization means pain moves up the extremity and toward the center of the spine which is where we feel it is originating from. Even if the pain becomes more intense, as long as it moves up the extremity and toward the center of the spine it is centralizing. Peripheralization means pain moves further away from the lumbar spine or down the lower extremity. In some cases the patients may have only leg pain and upon performing these stretches they may develop as the lower back that may not have been present initially. It is very common for patients to experience pain while performing these stretches and only if is worse upon completion do we know these stretches for the lower back are "good" or "bad" for your own sciatica and low back pain.

Understanding Red Flags

Before we you begin these exercises it is important that if you are experiencing "red flags" such as: progressive weakness in the lower extremities, changes in bowel and bladder, saddle anesthesia, balance problems, fever, sudden weight loss or recent trauma you may need to see a doctor prior to starting to ensure you don't have a more serious condition.

See video in links for title See your doctor NOW! (BACK PAIN). Understand red flags for lower back pain for a more detailed explanation.

Here are the types of McKenzie exercises:

Standing Lumbar Extensions

Prone Prop with and without pillow support

Prone pressups with and without offset

Static props for time

All these exercises should be performed 10 times every two hours for about five sessions a day. After five days you should expect to see an improvement in your ability to move easier with less pain. If your condition is worsening you should stop doing these exercises immediately.

To you moving better! Have a great day!

Tom

DISCLAIMER: If you're experiencing pain, numbness, or tingling down into your arm or hand, or any of these exercises are making your condition worse I strongly encourage you to go get it checked out by a local doctor or physical therapist. The exercises I present in this video are very general and may of may not be indicated for your specific problem. You are encouraged to seek local help from a professional who can recommend treatment specific to your individual needs

[apexmovebetter]

I hope everyone has a better understanding of the McKenzie Method. In this video we show our most commonly used exercises for low back pain and sciatica and how to safely perform them. Please like or subscribe if this helped you out! #mckenzieexercises

[lorihall]

I’m a 5 hour drive away from home(yes the ride was brutal!) attending my son’s wedding tomorrow! I’ve been dealing with sciatica for the first time and couldn’t get into a chiropractor until Monday! I honestly did not know how I was going to walk, stand or sit during the ceremony let alone dance with my son! I called the chiropractor in tears and even though he hasn’t seen me yet he spoke to me and recommended I search the Mackenzie Method stretches/exercises and that’s how I came to your channel! I did those simple stretches like you instructed and it has already helped me ENORMOUSLY!!!! Thank you for providing these helpful tools for such a debilitating pain!!!

[eleanorlemmer]

I am doing these exercises. But you added some excellent tips especially regarding the pillows.

[gemmayk]

Absolutely the best video I've seen for helping with sciatica - a huge thank you

[melissamarquez]

Thanks for the tips & exercises! I’ve had a spinal fusion of L4, 5 due to bulging discs pinching my sciatica! It’s almost been 3 years & im still having pain. I’m going to try your exercises & will let you know if they help. I recently started working after 12 years of not. It’s been so painful to be on my feet for 4 hours!
I look forward to more videos!
Sincerely, Melissa

[foxmeadowss]

Thank you for the detail and clear instructions! The docs think I have a herniated disc, but unable to get an MRI for 6 weeks due to health insurance bureaucracy. I start physical therapy in 2 weeks, but still sitting at home in pain. I’ll be starting these exercises today in efforts to seek relief!

[donnamcintyre]

Very informative! I like your style in explaining things.

[armi]

Very simple and easy but I think that will work for me! Thank you.

[MegaAtomium]

Thanks for the great explanations. I can't wait to try these.

[gweniewhinnie]

I just did this for a few reps and already feel better.

[zanthornton]

Wish you were in Decatur GA. Very decent video. No yelling no motivating by aggressive pt folks .thanks

[rigobertoortegam.English]

Good for my classes with my PT students. Greeting from Panama.

[kimberlyroulandgustafson]

Thank you for the education! This is so helpful.

[OTM-]

Excellent video thankyou for sharing.🙂

[rhonapayne]

Thank for that information plenty pain back to my right knee

[yl]

Thanks for sharing. My dad has been experiencing for several months complete foot numbness that was preceded by several decades of low back pain and sciatica. Thank you for outlining the broad range of possible sources.

Could you please address some time some Stu McGill ideas on sciatica - nerve flossing described in Back Mechanic - "tickling the dragon's tail" going upstream as far as the top of the spine to employ flexion and extension at the neck? Thanks again. Cheers.

[andreasutton]

Where would you advise to go after this with regards to exercise, once the back pain has gone? 🙂

[tinaquinn]

Thank you for this at the minute I can't do the laying on tummy and raising up I'm in agonizing pain had an MRI and showed bulging discs hitting of my sciatica nerve I have it 4 weeks now I'm doing sitting exercises but hopefully when I'm able I will be doing these, thank you 👍 I can't even go to bed

[jeanlajom]

You exactly saying what im experiencing

[jstefencavage]

Great exercise stretch. Thank u. Do u have something for piraformis relief. Thought it was sciatica, but no pain going down leg