Part A – The Lumbar Spine - Geelong, Victoria

Topic
Part A – The Lumbar Spine
Start Date
26 June 2026
End Date
28 June 2026
Start Time
08.30am AEST
End Time
5.00pm AEST
Venue
St Mary's Hall, Barwon Health, 162-190 Myers Street, Geelong, Victoria
Contact Name
MIA Office
Contact Phone
1800 332 735
Contact Email
education@mckenzieinstituteaustralia.org
Max. Attendees
26
Who Can Register?
Anyone

Want to improve your results with patients? Join us on Part A and learn how to use MDT to systematically assess, classify and treat lumbar spine problems.


Course Overview

This 28 hour course introduces the theory and concepts of the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT), as it is applied to the musculoskeletal system. 

The focus of this course, which is the first in the McKenzie education series, is the biopsychosocial assessment, classification and management of patients with lower back problems and related referred pain and / or functional limitations.

Participants will explore and practice the MDT assessment, classification and management process through lectures, workshops, discussions, case studies and patient demonstrations. 

The MDT classifications of Derangement, Dysfunction and Postural syndromes are described in detail and appropriate management plans are considered, with an emphasis on patient education and self-treatment. Subgroups not fulfilling the criteria of the McKenzie syndromes are introduced and the basis for their differential diagnosis is outlined.

Indications for the use of clinician procedures are also discussed and hands on techniques demonstrated and practiced.  

Patient demonstrations are used to illustrate the assessment / re-assessment process and allow participants to get a realistic impression of the impact of the MDT system on different patient presentations.

The first part of the course is completed as an online self-learning module. This online self-learning module must be completed prior to attending the remaining three days of live online teaching with the MIA Instructors noted below. 

The course includes an illustrated electronic manual (PDF file format) and reference list.

On successful completion of the course, you will receive:

  • An electronic Certificate of Completion
  • The 'self-help' book Treat Your Own Back.  The book is a great resource to use with many of your patients to help them understand and implement McKenzie self-management principles and exercises.
  • Six-months access to the McKenzie Institute International Education website to view the patient and clinician procedure videos to help consolidate the practical skills that were covered during the Part A course.  

Course Goals

This course will provide participants with the introductory knowledge and basic skills to begin to:

  1. Describe and discuss the principles of MDT and how they fit within a biopsychosocial framework, for patients with lumbar spine problems and functional limitations. 
  2. Appropriately apply the McKenzie Method of MDT to patients with lumbar spine problems.
  3. Distinguish between the MDT syndromes (Derangement, Dysfunction, Postural) and OTHER subgroups and provide appropriate management plans for each. 
  4. Identify when the application of external forces is required, using MDT’s concept of ‘Progression of Forces’.
  5. Recognise how to assist patients to design and apply the therapeutic processes to achieve their goals, taking into account any personal or environmental barriers to recovery.

Course Duration

Total Course time: 28 hours

  • Pre-course online module - 7 hours
  • Live face-to-face teaching - 21 hours (3-days).  

Prerequisites

McKenzie Institute Part A are open to Physiotherapists, Medical Doctors, Clinical Myotherapists*, Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Exercise Physiologists. Other health professionals may submit copies of their Tertiary Education and registration details to the McKenzie Institute Australia for consideration.

*Myotherapists must hold a Bachelor degree or be in the process of upgrading from an Advanced Diploma to Bachelor degree in Myotherapy.

Instructor

Peter Schoch, B. Physio(Hons), Dip MDT, Dip Bus, Dip Mgmt, APAM 

Mark Cheel, BAppSc (Physio), Dip MDT, APAM

MDT CPD Points

This course is worth 5 MDT CPD points for credentialed and diplomate members.

Course Fees

$990.00 incl GST

  • 10% off early bird discount is offered to non-members who book and pay 60 days prior to the course start date
  • 10% discount off both course fees is offered to non-members who book and pay for 2 courses at the same time (A+B, A+C, B+C, B+D, C+D) 
  • 15% discount off all course fees is offered to non-members who book and pay for 4 courses at the same time (A+B+C+D)
  • 30% discount off the course fee is offered to final year undergrad students who book for a Part A course - must provide evidence of undergrad student status and proof of indemnity insurance e.g. via APA membership.
  • 10% discount off the course fee is offered to MIA Associate or Student members who book and pay for any Part A-D course
  • 50% discount off the course fee is offered to Credentialled/Diplomaed members who book and pay for any Part A-D course - this allows these members to meet the requirement for remaining on the Clinician Locator.

Practical Sessions

During the practical sessions, participants are requested to wear suitable clothing, allowing easy access to the spine.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

As this is a practical course that may involve performance of exercise and manual therapy procedures on other participants, attendees are required to have suitable professional liability insurance.

Terms of Service

Please ensure you are aware of McKenzie Institute Australia Terms of Service before registering.  

COVID-19 - Safety & Vaccinations:  For your safety and that of our community, all Instructors, registrants, patients and venue personnel are required to be fully vaccinated with a TGA approved COVID-19 vaccine in order to attend a face-to-face event.  Medical exemption for a COVID-19 vaccination may be lodged.

Order of Courses

  • Part A must be completed first and Part D last. 
  • Participants may choose the order in which they complete Parts B and C. 
  • Full completion of Parts A-D is a prerequisite for the International Credentialing Exam.