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Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to Spring which brings most of us longer days, warmer weather and blooming possibilities.
In this edition we recap the recent MII Conference in Ottawa. With a few Australian members in attendance the conference showcased high quality speakers from around the world.
After our recent successful MIA Education weekend in May, planning is well advanced for 2025. Details to be released soon.
We also get to meet our newest Diploma Candidate Lee Curtis who is based in South Australia.
A reminder, if you’re involved in or considering MDT research, be sure to contact the new research task force.
If you’re looking to further your MDT journey or simply needing a refresh? Check out our 2024 course schedule.
I hope you enjoy this edition and look forward to seeing you at an upcoming McKenzie course.
Mark Cheel
Chairperson
After 5 years of postponements the 15th International Conference in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy was held in Ottawa, Canada last month. 300+ delegates from around the world attended. Lots of opportunities to catch up with old friends and meet some new people as well!
A diverse lineup of MDT and non-MDT speakers shared their knowledge and expertise on all things ‘musculoskeletal’. Plenary presentations were complemented by more intimate workshops covering a range of topics from ‘pelvic pain’ to ‘drivers of pain and disability’ and ‘active communication’. Well done to our own Mark Cheel for co-presenting the communication workshop!
Centred around the river, Ottawa was a very bike and pedestrian friendly location. The city centre was an interesting mix of old and new with a strong French influence evident in much of the architecture; not to mention the language. The Westin Hotel conference venue was only minutes walk from the Byward Market restaurant district. Plenty of local and international food and drink to sample! The Canadian parliament, a range of museums and other attractions were also within short walks of the hotel.
Hiring a bike allowed the network of canals, locks, parks and gardens to be explored with ease. The Gatineau Park and its myriad of trails was a particular highlight… as long as you didn’t mind a bit of hill climbing! Ottawa turned on its best and worst weather, ranging from sunny 25+ degree days to pouring rain and localised flooding – 70mm of rain in 24 hours at its peak.
Overall, it was an enjoyable week of learning, socialising and playing tourist in the Canadian capital and well worth the loooong trip from Australia. It would be great to see a larger Australian contingent at the next major MDT conference, so start saving those pennies and keep an eye on social media for details.
Peter Schoch
Faculty
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This month we meet Lee Curtis, who is our latest member to undertake the Diploma Program. We wish you all the best Lee, on the challenging but extremely rewarding process of doing the Diploma!
NB. Enrolments in the 2025 Diploma Program close soon. Why not take the plunge, expand your horizons and take your clinical practice to the next level? Details and registration here: MII Diploma Program
Name : Lee Curtis
Email : lee@physiofresh.com
Workplace : Your Therapy SA (Disability) and Physio Fresh Solutions(MSK)
Tell us about your current work?
I spend a few days a week visiting clients who are suffering from various neurological and musculoskeletal conditions in their homes. Additionally, I also work in my own clinic where I treat patients with spinal and extremity issues. This balance between being on the move and working in a fixed location and working with a diverse patient base is ideal for me.
How did you get involved with the McKenzie Method?
I first discovered the MDT method during my MSK university placement. I was researching effective treatments for lumbar spine issues and stumbled upon repeated extension in lying exercise. That piqued my interest in MDT, and I decided to learn more about it. I enrolled in Part A as soon as I could and completed Part A-D, getting my certification in the same year. This was also my first year at the clinic as a new graduate. MDT had been producing remarkable patient outcomes, and with the help of a guided classification system, my confidence grew rapidly. I recently finished the theoretical part of the diploma and waiting to begin clinical placement in Geelong.
How has the McKenzie Method influenced your clinical practice?
I strongly believe in the MDT approach as it has helped me enhance my skills as a physiotherapist. During my university days, the multiple orthopaedic tests often made things more confusing. However, using movement as a diagnostic tool has taken my skills to a whole new level. MDT provides a reliable classification system that has boosted my confidence in determining the prognostic outcomes for my patients. With MDT, I am able to distinguish between mechanical and non-mechanical issues, and identify who will respond to treatment and who needs to be referred on.
What inspired you to go beyond Credentialing and enrol in the Diploma Program?
Quite simply I just wanted more. I had learnt so much throughout the courses A-D over the year culminating in the final Credentialing exam and despite passing I was very aware there was so much more to learn. Each course built beautifully on the previous one, layering through the learning and slowly introducing new concepts. It seemed logical that the Diploma would be an extension of this learning process, so it was the obvious next step. There are no MDT Certified clinics in my state of SA, so I hope to become the first!!
Having successfully completed the theory component, what are your key learnings?
As a preface I want to start by saying how amazing it was to be working with such high calibre physiotherapists from around the world. It felt like such a relief to be sharing, learning and growing with people who understood in contrast to constantly explaining and justifying the MDT approach which was my experience in clinic. I felt like I had truly found my people. Over the 12 weeks I learnt a lot about the twists and turns in the current research, and that many of the articles not finding MDT to have an effect, were not conducted by MDT practitioners and not implemented within the MDT classification system. A key learning was without doubt learning more about the classification of OTHER in the process of differential diagnosis. And finally, developing a much deeper understanding on the diagnosis of contractile dysfunctions.
What are you looking forward to with respect to the clinical placements in Geelong?
I'm really excited about the day-to-day practicals with the team at Geelong. Sitting in front of patients with such a broad spectrum of presentations is going to be a steep and rapid learning curve that I have no doubt will accelerate my learning and love of MDT. Being under the supervision, guidance and mentorship of experienced MDT clinicians like Mark and Peter is going to be both terrifying and exhilarating. I'm expecting to start off very green and hope that by the end of the 9 weeks I'm a confident MDT clinician.
What would you say to anyone considering enrolling in the 2025 Diploma Program?
If you can make it happen, do it. At the end of the credentialing you wonder what the Diploma could possibly teach you that you hadn't already learnt. In hindsight the Diploma just opens up a depth of understanding that is beyond anything I could have imagined. I'm so happy I've made the sacrifice and taken this path.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give your younger self?
Take it easy on yourself. There's no need to rush. Slow down and enjoy the journey, taking in all the sights and sounds along the way.
When you’re not working, what do you do for fun/relaxation?
We own two Labradoodles, Bounce and Oscar, who absolutely adore the beach. Therefore, going for beach walks, watching movies, and eating out are some of our favourite pastimes.
If you weren’t working in healthcare, what do you think you would have done?
It’s a strong toss up between stand up comedian and motivational speaker ;)
What's your favourite quote and why?
“Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about”.
Kindness is underrated, yet it is easy to give and so powerful to receive. I’ve always been a very task-orientated person, and kindness is something I’ve had to slow down to learn.
Did you know your membership gives you access to member only resources and promotional materials?
Login to the website and head to the online shop.
The McKenzie Institute Australia (MIA) is keen to establish 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.
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 skills and it can be rewarding to see growth in less experienced MDT clinicians. Mentoring also attracts MDT CPD points. 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 session, at the start of the program, to outline MIA's expectations and to assist with any questions or concerns.
Remember it's not too late to register your interest!!
Please contact education@mckenzieinstituteaustralia.org to register your interest.
Sara Reed
Honorary Secretary
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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Part A - The Lumbar Spine |
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Part B - The Cervical & Thoracic Spine |
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Part C - Advanced Lumbar Spine & Extremities - Lower Limb |
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Case Manager Volumes 1, 2 & 3 |
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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