Medical History

The assessment typically begins with a comprehensive review of the patient’s medical history. This helps the healthcare professional understand any past injuries, medical conditions, or lifestyle factors that might be influencing the current back pain. 

Postural Assessment

A postural assessment is performed to analyse the patient’s standing, sitting, and walking postures. Posture simply means a migration of stress, so specific postures can cause specific stresses to tissues and the spine which can attribute to a person’s symptoms.  

Movement Analysis

The movement analysis involves observing the patient’s range of motion and functional movements. Specific movements that trigger or exacerbate the pain are noted, helping the practitioner understand how the patient’s spine and muscles are affected during various activities. 

Muscle Function Examination 

The muscle function examination evaluates the strength, endurance and activation patterns of the muscles surrounding or affecting the spine. Weakness or imbalances in these muscles can lead to inadequate stability of the spine, compensatory movements and/or contribute to low back pain. 

Medical Imaging 

Medical imaging, such as X-ray, MRI and CT scans may be useful in some circumstances. Again, this depends on the individual person’s context – not all low back pain needs imaging. But should you have had imaging done, this will be reviewed and linked with your individual assessment as scans alone should not be used to diagnose a person’s low back disorder or pain.   

The Rehabilitation Process 

After completing the assessment, the rehabilitation process begins, tailored to the individual’s specific needs and limitations. 

Individualised Treatment 

Unlike one-size-fits-all approaches, the McGill Method acknowledges that no two individuals are the same. It takes into account factors like lifestyle, daily activities, occupation, and personal goals to create a personalized treatment plan. By addressing the specific needs of each individual, the McGill Method maximizes the chances of successful recovery and long-term pain relief. 

Desensitising  

Once the assessment is complete, the sensitized tissue (disc, nerves, facet joints etc.) and the reason for the sensitization of these tissues have been identified. Your practitioner will guide you through ‘movement tools’ to show you how to move more effectively to allow the aggravated tissues to desensitise and wind down your pain symptoms.  This may also involve hands-on treatment and other therapeutic tools useful to your individual condition, mechanisms and symptoms.  

Core Stabilisation Exercises 

One of the cornerstone of the McGill Method’s rehabilitation process is a series of core stabilization exercises. These exercises are designed to progressively strengthen the core muscles while maintaining spinal stability. Examples of such exercises may include the “McGill Big 3” (which is the  modified curl up, bird-dog and side plank) but involve many other exercise that help to build spine resilience. 

Modified Movement Patterns and Movement Proficiency 

As part of the rehabilitation process, individuals are guided to modify movement patterns that may be causing or aggravating their low back pain. This may involve adjustments to lifting techniques, sitting postures, or exercise form to reduce strain on the spine. This is where optimising movement patterns that are true to biomechanical principles enable movement proficiency and improve functional capacity.  

Appropriate Progression 

Rehabilitation through the McGill Method is a gradual process that prioritizes quality over quantity. Patients are guided through the rehab process and progress based on their individual healing, condition and other individual factors.