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Physio's back work recognised

Mar 24, 2007 9:11 PM

Fifty years ago Robin McKenzie's ideas on fixing sore backs were dismissed as dangerous. But the Wellington physio has revolutionised the way backs and necks are treated worldwide.

And this weekend medical experts are celebrating 25 years of the institute that teaches McKenzie's method.

At 75, McKenzie no longer needs to prove his method which is now taught in 34 countries.

Millions of people have followed what McKenzie started by accident when he sent a patient with acute back pain into a room where the bed had been left tilted up.

"I saw this man lying double backwards on the bed which was considered a very bad thing to do," says McKenzie.

The position had eased the man's pain and started the physio from Waikanae questioning everything he had been taught.

His theory was simple.

"You get into certain positions, perform certain movements that put your back out. If we understand it correctly and analyse your movements properly we can teach you how to reverse that situation."

The treatment involves no drugs, no surgery and no manipulation for most back patients which half a century ago was heresy but after demonstrations held in the United States word got round.

"It's hard to argue with rapid changes in patient's experience and describe that's a very convincing method of communicating," says orthopaedic surgeon Ron Donelson.

McKenzie has sold over five million books.

"It's grown like topsy. There's been no planning, I didn't set out to change the way back was treated it just happened. Evolved. I was very lucky."