Is McKenzie care a useful starting point for you?
If back, neck or radiating symptoms keep returning—or the same exercise routine is not helping—we can assess how your symptoms respond to movement and position. Dr. Emily’s McKenzie assessment guides your starting exercises, with pain education and strength work to help you return to everyday activities.
No referral needed · Dedicated one-on-one PT
Dr. Emily Warren, DPT, Cert. MDT — McKenzie certified.
In-person PT in Holladay, serving Greater Salt Lake City. Virtual coaching from anywhere.
We practice your starting plan together so you understand why we chose it and what a helpful response looks like. As movement becomes easier, we connect that progress with strength and the demands of your day.
A plan that helps you understand your back
Susan Weyandt describes less pain, more confidence and an improved quality of life after seeking care for longstanding back pain. Her Google review reflects something we value in treatment: understanding what you can do and having support to keep moving forward.
A patient’s own experience; we build your plan around your goals and response.
Watch how a movement response guides the next step
McKenzie care is more than choosing an exercise from a list. This example shows why we pay attention to what happens to your symptoms before progressing a movement.
An example of choosing movement by its response
Dr. Emily demonstrates a progression from lying on your stomach to supported extension for some types of back-related leg pain. The useful part is the response: a movement should help your symptoms, not repeatedly push them farther down your leg.
Key points from the video
- Dr. Emily demonstrates a progression from lying on the stomach to elbow support and a press-up.
- She explains that this example fits some sciatica presentations coming from the low back.
- Her instruction is to continue only if it helps the symptoms and stop if it does not.
If this movement increases pain, sends symptoms farther into an arm or leg, or causes dizziness, stop and ask us about a better option. After surgery or a fracture, follow your treating clinician’s movement guidance.
What happens during a McKenzie assessment?
The starting point is understanding what you are experiencing: when symptoms began, where they travel, what daily activities are difficult and what you have already tried.
- Discuss your history and goals. Bring relevant imaging reports, previous treatment information and questions. Medical history and warning signs help determine whether PT is an appropriate next step.
- Observe your response to movement. Dr. Emily may assess repeated movements or sustained positions and compare how you feel and move before and afterward.
- Choose and explain your next steps. Your plan may include specific movement practice, changes to daily activities, strengthening or coordination with another clinician.
A directional preference means a particular movement direction produces a helpful response. Centralization describes symptoms moving from farther down a limb toward the spine. These observations can inform treatment; neither is a self-diagnosis or a guarantee of recovery.
Which symptoms can be assessed?
People seek assessment for different reasons. The diagnosis on a scan is only one part of the picture.
- Recurring or persistent low back pain that affects sitting, lifting, work or exercise.
- Sciatica and radiating leg symptoms, with attention to changes in sensation or strength.
- Disc-related symptoms and questions about an MRI report.
- Neck pain and arm symptoms that need an individualized plan.
- Walking limitations associated with spinal stenosis.
How McKenzie care connects with pain education and strength
A useful movement response is a starting point. The next step is connecting it with your life: how you sit at work, pick up a bag, walk with family or return to exercise. Dr. Emily pairs MDT assessment with pain education and progressive activity so the plan addresses both symptoms and capacity.
What you should understand before leaving
Your first 60-minute appointment should give you a clear starting point, with time to ask questions and practice one-on-one with Dr. Emily.
- Your movement: why we chose it, the starting amount and what a helpful response looks like.
- Your daily task: one practical way to make an activity more manageable while you build capacity.
- Your next goal: the strength, endurance or activity demand we are working toward.
- Your review plan: what to notice, when to check in and when new symptoms need another assessment.
We want the plan to fit your life and make sense to you. As movement becomes easier, we build the strength and confidence to do more, with less dependence on treatment to manage each day.
Pain education helps us discuss why symptoms can vary and why a painful movement is not automatically a measure of damage. We still take new or worsening findings seriously. For persistent symptoms, see McKenzie care and chronic back pain.
Different conditions require different decisions. For example, Schroth-specific scoliosis care addresses a curve pattern, while postoperative rehabilitation follows the surgical team’s precautions. MDT does not replace those considerations.
What progress looks like, and how we choose follow-up
A helpful movement response can sometimes appear during the assessment. That is a starting point: we then check whether the change lasts and makes sitting, walking, driving or another meaningful task easier.
As that task becomes manageable, we progress strength and activity around your goals. For a walk, that could mean the route, hills and recovery afterward; for lifting, the movement and load you want to handle confidently.
We choose follow-up from your findings and response rather than a fixed number of visits. If improvement is not carrying into your day, we reassess the direction, amount of practice and wider plan. Read about McKenzie treatment expectations and questions to ask when previous PT has not helped.
Meet your physical therapist
Dr. Emily Warren, DPT, Cert. MDT, provides one-on-one care at Mindful Movement PT. Cert. MDT identifies her credential in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. In-person visits are available in Holladay, serving Greater Salt Lake City; virtual coaching appointments are also available. Contact the clinic to discuss the appropriate appointment type.
Common questions
Can I do McKenzie exercises on my own?
An online exercise list cannot establish which movement or dose fits your symptoms. If you have a prescribed plan, follow its instructions and discuss changes with your clinician. Our back-exercise guide explains movement selection and questions to ask.
Can a virtual visit help?
A video visit can support history-taking, guided movement, education and home-program follow-up. Hands-on examination and some neurological assessment require in-person care. We can discuss which format fits your needs before scheduling.
Does this replace a surgical opinion or medical assessment?
No. Physical therapy can be one part of care. The appropriate next step depends on the condition, symptoms and examination; Dr. Emily can recommend medical evaluation when needed.
When should I seek urgent help?
New bladder or bowel control changes, numbness around the groin or saddle area, or severe or worsening weakness in both legs require emergency assessment. Do not wait for a PT appointment. For other concerning changes, contact a medical clinician promptly. See our back-pain warning-sign guide.
Learn more
- McKenzie Institute: what the method involves
- Neck exercise assessment and guidance
- Persistent pain and hypersensitivity
Ready to discuss a plan? Request a free 15-minute consultation and tell us whether you prefer an in-person or virtual appointment. A case review does not replace an examination.