Leonardtown, MD – Patients suffering from neck and back pain now have a new option for treatment at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital. Physical Therapist Jenna Holmes recently earned certification in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) from the McKenzie Institute® USA.
To become a certified practitioner of the McKenzie Method of MDT, physical therapists must complete a series of advanced post graduate courses. The evidence-based patient management system has been proven to eliminate back, neck and extremity pain in fewer visits compared to traditional treatment.
“This method is different from traditional therapy because it focuses on classification into subcategories, progression of forces, patient independence and education on preventing recurrent episodes of pain,” said Holmes. “Within a few visits we should know if therapy is going to be effective.”
The key distinction of the McKenzie Method is its initial assessment component – a safe and reliable means to accurately reach a diagnosis that will guide the appropriate treatment plan. Rarely are expensive tests required, as certified MDT clinicians have a valid indicator to know right away whether – and how – the direction-specific exercise treatment will work for each patient.
Holmes works primarily with patients who are experiencing low back pain that radiates down the leg or neck pain that radiates down the arm as well as patients experiencing pain primarily in their extremities.
“We see many patients who only want to treat their condition with conservative measures,” said Holmes. “Sometimes, however, we help them make decisions that lead them back to their physicians for further treatment.”
Holmes has been a physical therapist at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital since 2012. She received the MDT Certification in December 2015.
Dedicated to ongoing education and research, the McKenzie Institute is the center for postgraduate study in MDT. The McKenzie Method is a philosophy of active patient involvement and education for back, neck and extremity problems.
Visit MedStarStMarys.org for more information about rehabilitation medicine.
About MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital: MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital (MSMH) is a full-service community hospital, delivering state-of-the-art emergency, acute inpatient and outpatient care in Leonardtown, Maryland. Nestled in a waterside community, MedStar St. Mary’s provides advanced technology with a dedication to excellence in all services provided. The not-for-profit hospital has been named among the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals™ and is an eight time recipient of the prestigious Delmarva Medicare Excellence Award. In addition, MSMH received the Maryland Performance Excellence award at the Platinum level in 2014 – the highest in the state. Our staff is committed to providing quality and compassionate medical care for all patients by coupling innovation with our outstanding team of Medical Staff members, associates and volunteers. Visit MedStarStMarys.org to learn more.
