How Long Does the McKenzie Method Take to Work?

Pain relief from the McKenzie method typically occurs in 1 to 3 weeks, and many individuals experience noticeable relief as early as their first exercise session. ¹ McKenzie R, Kubey C. 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life: How to Rapidly Relieve Back and Neck Pain Using the McKenzie Method. Updated edition. Plume; 2014.

The treatment provides more effective results for individuals with neck pain or back from mechanical causes, such as herniated discs or tight muscles. ¹ McKenzie R, Kubey C. 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life: How to Rapidly Relieve Back and Neck Pain Using the McKenzie Method. Updated edition. Plume; 2014.

If your pain is chronic, lasting several months or years, you will likely need more time for the pain-relieving effects of the exercises to become evident. ¹ McKenzie R, Kubey C. 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life: How to Rapidly Relieve Back and Neck Pain Using the McKenzie Method. Updated edition. Plume; 2014.

When McKenzie method exercises may provide quick relief 

You are more likely to get faster pain relief, starting within a few hours or days, if ¹ McKenzie R, Kubey C. 7 Steps to a Pain-Free Life: How to Rapidly Relieve Back and Neck Pain Using the McKenzie Method. Updated edition. Plume; 2014. :

• Your only symptom is pain: your symptoms are limited to pain, and there’s no accompanying stiffness or weakness. 
• Your pain is intermittent: you have episodes of pain, and between those episodes, you are pain-free for short or long periods, and you can fully move in all directions without pain during that time.
• You are able to centralize your pain: when you perform the McKenzie exercises, your pain moves from a peripheral area, like the arm or leg, to a location closer to the body's center, such as the neck or low back (a phenomenon called centralization). 
• Your pain increases while bending forward: your symptoms exacerbate after activities that involve bending forward, such as making a bed, loading the dishwasher, or vacuuming.
• Your pain decreases while bending backward: your symptoms are relieved or become more tolerable when you bend your spine backward.
• Your pain is more intense in the morning: you feel worse when getting up in the morning, but the symptoms improve after you move around.

If you don’t fall under one or more of these categories, it doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from the therapy. A certified and trained McKenzie therapist can provide accurate guidance, assessing whether the therapy is suitable for your underlying condition.

Every person is unique, and the time taken for your symptoms to resolve depends on the underlying cause of your pain, how consistently and accurately you perform the exercises, and the skill of the practitioner instructing the exercises.

The most painful symptoms resolve first

McKenzie exercises for back pain and neck pain are designed to alleviate the most debilitating symptoms first.

The treatment aims to quickly resolve radicular pain, which is arm pain or leg pain (sciatica) caused by a pinched nerve in the spine.

When these symptoms resolve or become more tolerable, the underlying cause of pain is treated. Read about Sciatica Symptoms

How many times a day should I do McKenzie exercises?

McKenzie’s principles emphasize that for continued pain relief, the exercises must be performed on a regular basis.

The standard McKenzie therapy exercises include: 

• McKenzie method exercises for back pain and sciatica
• McKenzie method exercises for neck pain and arm

While McKenzie therapy offers quick and substantial pain relief for appropriately selected patients, it may not work for everyone. In fact, there are certain situations, such as pain resulting from acute trauma or post-surgical spinal pain, when then the McKenzie exercises should be avoided. To know if this treatment is suitable and safe for you, consult a qualified spine specialist for a thorough evaluation and assessment.

Learn more:

When to Avoid McKenzie Method Exercises: 5 Potential Risks

What is the McKenzie Method for Back Pain and Neck Pain?