Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to our Autumn 2025 edition.
The MIA Education Weekend is fast approaching! USA Physiotherapists Jane Borgehammar and Melissa Kolski will be conducting ‘MDT Management of Chronic Pain’.
This Masterclass is a one day ONLINE workshop (Saturday 10th May), with up to 7 hours pre course learning, and is open to all clinicians that have completed Part C as a minimum. Click here for information and registration.
To register for this or any of our 2025 courses, check out our website. A reminder that MIA members can get a 50% discount on all Part A-D courses.
Also in this edition we discuss a recent Cervical spine article, further details on our mentoring program, and a link to purchase recordings from the recent MII conference held in Canada here.
And, don’t forget you can always refresh your skills and attain MDT CPD points by completing modules in the Case Manager here.
Keep well!
Mark Cheel
MIA Chairperson
MII have put together a package of recordings of the 2024 MDT Conference in Ottawa. The recordings are available to view on demand, for $99USD, until 28th February 2025.
The package includes:
To see the programme from the conference and / or purchase the video package, click here: https://www.mckenzieinstitute.org/ottawa-2/
Please email tanya.fulcher@mckenzieinstitute.org if you have any queries about the MII conference package.
Please note: the recorded material is viewable but not downloadable.
Is actively treating patients more effective than natural history?
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We'd all like to think so, a it's historically the foundation of our professional existence! In this study from Japan, where patients with neck pain received treatment tailored to their MDT classification of Derangement Syndrome, the results suggest we may be able to help a specific subgroup of people achieve meaningful improvement more rapidly than ‘natural history’. Which is encouraging, given it could not only help reduce patient disability, presenteeism or time off work, it could also potentially help save the ‘system’ tens of thousands of dollars per patient!
Peter Schoch
Faculty
Image by efes from Pixabay
Hiroshi Takasaki, PT, PhD, Yusuke Handa, PT, BSc, Kazuki Kikkawa, PT, BSc
Full text link: https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/josptopen.2024.0810?fbclid=IwAR37uGEJVvX8tJFR00k3DBcCgKezXssCT64JWDEopNxi7B2I5QjjIqU8kq4
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the short-term therapeutic effect of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) on the subgroup of the cervical derangement syndrome with a directional preference (DP) for cervical retraction or extension in comparison with the wait-and-see approach.
DESIGN: Assessor-blinded 2-arm randomized controlled trial: the MDT and a wait-and-see approach.
METHODS: Participants were university students with neck symptoms lasting for ≥1 week, neck disability index of ≥16%, and derangement syndrome with a DP for cervical retraction or extension. In the wait-and-see group, participants were instructed to perform their usual activities. In the MDT group, participants undertook 6-week MDT interventions. The primary outcome was the global rating of change scale at 3 and 6 weeks after randomization. Effect estimation was conducted using the 95% confidence interval method with pre-established clinically meaningful important differences.
RESULTS: Twenty participants in each group completed the study. The effect of MDT in comparison with the wait-and-see approach was large enough to be meaningful at 6 weeks after randomization.
CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the wait-and-see approach, the 6-week MDT intervention was effective in young individuals with a DP for cervical retraction or extension.
The McKenzie Institute Australia (MIA) is establishing a mentoring program for Part A participants to assist them with their McKenzie MDT journey, to encourage them to complete Parts A-E and the Credentialing exam… and maybe even get them consideringr the Diploma Program
Mentoring has many benefits for both the mentor and the mentee. It can challenge your own clinical reasoning, test your existing knowledge, develop or consolidate teaching, coaching & communication skills, and, it can be rewarding to see growth in less experienced clinicians. Mentoring also attracts MDT CPD points, which are essential to maintain your listing on the Clinician Locator. The mentee of course gets the benefit of your knowledge and experience in a supportive environment.
The MIA Board will support members who agree to be mentors by hosting an online information sessions, to outline MIA's expectations and to assist with any questions or concerns. Remember, you can register your interest at any time!
Please contact education@mckenzieinstituteaustralia.org if you would like to assist us with the program.
Sara Reed
Honorary Secretary
Microsoft stock image
Monitor the MIA website's Calendar of Events and follow us on social media for details of further courses, as they are released.
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2025 Education Update - MDT Management of Chronic Pain When: Saturday 10 May 2025 Where: Online Click here for further details and to register |
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Part A - The Lumbar Spine When: Friday 13 - Sunday 15 June 2025 (3 days) Where: Geelong, VIC Click here for further details and to register |
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Part B - The Cervical & Thoracic Spine When: Friday 25 - Sunday 27 July 2025 (3 days) Where: Sydney, NSW Click here for further details and to register |
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Part A - The Lumbar Spine When: Saturday 16, Sunday 17 and Saturday 23 August 2025 (3 days) Where: ONLINE Click here for further details and to register |
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Part B - The Cervical & Thoracic Spine When: Friday 12 - Sunday 14 September 2025 (3 days) Where: Geelong, Vic Click here for further details and to register |
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Part C - Advanced Lumbar Spine & Extremities - Lower Limb When: Thursday 6 - Sunday 9 November 2025 (4 days) Where: Geelong, Vic Click here for further details and to register |
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Part D - Advanced Cervical and Thoracic Spine and Extremities - Upper Limb When: TBA (4 days) Where: TBA Keep an eye on the calendar for date and further details |
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Credentialling Exam When: TBA Where: Sydney, NSW Keep an eye on the calendar for date and further details |
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Case Manager Volumes 1, 2 & 3 The McKenzie Institute Case Manager provides web-based learning, designed for the advanced McKenzie MDT clinician. Click here for further details and to purchase |
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Do you have something you’d like to share with other MDT trained clinicians? If so, please get in touch! Submissions to the newsletter are always welcome and contributions contribute to MDT CPD points for members. Tell us about an interesting clinical experience you’ve had, an article you’ve read or a case study that challenged you. Submissions can be emailed to: education@mckenzieinstituteaustralia.org