McKenzie Press-Up
The McKenzie press-up is the centrepiece of the Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) extension protocol. In a randomised trial of 312 patients with acute discogenic low-back pain, the McKenzie protocol led to a 40-percent faster return to function compared to a generic stretching protocol. The key is using the centralisation principle as a real-time biofeedback signal.
Illustration · follow the steps below for the actual technique
How to do it
- 1
Lie face down with hands flat under your shoulders
Hands under shoulders
- 2
Press through your hands and straighten your arms
Press up
- 3
Let your low back sag, hips stay on the floor
Hips stay down
- 4
Hold for 5 seconds, then lower back down
Hold five, lower
- 5
Repeat 10 times. Movement is a press, then a relax, not a hold
Ten reps total
The evidence
The McKenzie press-up is the centrepiece of the Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) extension protocol. In a randomised trial of 312 patients with acute discogenic low-back pain, the McKenzie protocol led to a 40-percent faster return to function compared to a generic stretching protocol. The key is using the centralisation principle as a real-time biofeedback signal.
Citation: Long A, Donelson R, Fung T (2004). Does it matter which exercise? Randomized control trial of exercise for low back pain. Spine · DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000148464.17008.60