I've had a couple clients referred by local neurosurgeons to a particular physical therapist who is certified in the McKenzie's Protocol, and I decided to investigate this personally. I've got chronic neck pain from various horse-related accidents over the years, and am always searching for ways to increase my range of motion. I also want to decrease the pain and stiffness that extends from neck into the right scapula. Being able to turn my neck better is essential for my riding, as well as my driving.

I know that long hours seated in front of the computer adds to the problem, and the older I get, the more important it is to get up every half hour, stretch and walk around a bit. But stretching on my own, and even the addition of a weekly yoga class hasn't been enough since I re-injured my neck in Ireland during an unlucky fall from a horse. I also added a massage from a highly trained masseuse once a month to keep my back and neck more mobile and comfortable, but that also is not enough.

I made an appointment with the certified McKenzie evaluator and therapist two weeks ago, and I had a second appointment last week. The McKenzie Method (sometimes called the McKenzie Protocol is described in detail in several books written by founder Robin McKenzie back in the early 1980's. Robin McKenzie's is a physiotherapist from New Zealand who developed his own treatment methods for spinal disorders. I purchased two of his books, Treat Your Own Neck, and 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life: How to Rapidly Relieve Back and Neck Pain. These books, available at Amazon.com, are easy to read. If you need to borrow my copies and promise to return them, call my office and ask my assistant to send me reminders to bring the book to the office for you.

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