McKenzie Method (MDT) Physiotherapy — Kāpiti Coast
Bart de Vries holds a Certificate in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) from the McKenzie Institute — making him one of a smaller group of physiotherapists in New Zealand with formal MDT certification. MDT is his primary clinical framework for assessing and treating spinal and musculoskeletal pain.
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The McKenzie Method — formally called Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) — is an internationally recognised, evidence-based system for assessing and treating back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal conditions. It is built around a systematic movement assessment that identifies the specific mechanical pattern driving your pain.
What sets MDT apart is its emphasis on self-treatment. Once the mechanical pattern is identified, most patients can be given a specific set of exercises they perform independently at home — reducing the number of appointments needed and building confidence in managing their own body.
MDT is particularly effective for disc-related problems, including sciatica and referred pain, and has strong research support for low back pain across multiple clinical trials. It is suitable for recent injuries, chronic pain, and people who have been told their back pain is 'just something they have to live with'.
What Bart Treats — McKenzie / MDT Therapy
• Low back pain — acute and chronic
• Sciatica and disc-related referred pain
• Neck pain and cervical disc problems
• Pain that has not responded to previous treatment
• People wanting a clear mechanical explanation for their pain
• Anyone referred by a physiotherapist or specialist for an MDT assessment
Clinical Approach
An MDT assessment is thorough and systematic. Bart will take a detailed history and guide you through a series of specific movement tests. By the end of the assessment, the aim is to have a clear mechanical diagnosis — a specific explanation of what is causing your pain and what to do about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between MDT and McKenzie therapy?
A: They are the same thing. 'McKenzie therapy' is the commonly used patient-facing name. MDT (Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy) is the formal clinical name. The framework was developed by New Zealand physiotherapist Robin McKenzie.
Q: Do I need to have back pain to benefit from MDT?
A: No. MDT can be applied to neck pain, shoulder pain, and other musculoskeletal conditions. It is most widely researched for spinal pain, but the principles apply broadly.
Q: Can MDT help with pain I've had for years?
A: Yes. MDT is particularly valuable for chronic pain cases and people who have not found answers elsewhere. The systematic assessment often identifies mechanical patterns that have been missed.