The McKenzie Method (Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy)

A method of mechanical assessment and treatment providing the patient with an understanding of their condition and how to self manage it. The McKenzie Method is not merely extension exercises - In its truest sense, The McKenzie method is a comprehensive approach to treatment based on sound principals and fundamentals that when understood and followed accordingly are very successful. In fact, remarkable.

For further information please contact PhysioMaxx or

Click here to go to the McKenzie Website...

PhysioMaxx has on of the few ‘Repex' beds in Australia – this aids in regaining extension to the lower back – “without effort”.

Clinical Pilates

“Where the Art of injury Management meets the Science”

Clinical Pilates is one form of exercise used by Physiotherapists that is based on the traditional Pilates repertoire of exercises. In the last decade, the latest research in spinal stability has been incorporated into the traditional Plates exercises, modifying them to develop the Clinical Pilates program.

Clinical Pilates uses spring loaded Pilates equipment to provide more appropriate afferent input to the motor cortex to teach correct patterns of movement. Injury or pathology alters muscle function and timing leading to poor movement patterns and postures. Clinical Pilates can help to retrain the correct muscles and movements once the pathology is controlled. This is achieved with low load, closed chain exercise to recruit the local stabilizers of the spine and limbs, and can be gradually progressed to more complex, higher level exercises.

Most musculoskeletal pathologies have a “directional preference” when it comes to movement. All Clinical Pilates movements can have a flexion, extension, off centre or neural-mobilising bias. The effect of pathology under load can be observed with the exercises, meaning that it can assist as a diagnostic tool, or as a way of determining whether radiological findings are clinically relevant.

Clinical Pilates is becoming more and more recognised as an adjunct to traditional ‘hands on' manual therapy. At PhysioMaxx, all of our physiotherapists are trained in the McKenzie method of mechanical diagnosis and treatment, which interlinks very closely to the philosophy of directionally preferential treatment, and exercise-based therapy.

There has traditionally been a gap in the continuum between “treatment” and “gym programs”, with many patients being given inappropriate or non-specific exercises as part of their rehabilitation. Clinical Pilates is an approach which attempts to fill that gap, and take patients from that point where ‘normal' treatment is no longer beneficial, yet the patient is still at only about 80%, to the maximum level of function they can achieve given the type of injury.

What are the benefits of Clinical Pilates?

• Correction of poor body mechanics which can cause injury
• Improved posture and flexibility
• Firmer and flatter stomach muscles
• Better trunk stabilisation
• Enhanced breathing control
• Increased injury resistance
• Overall body toning
• Safe and effective injury management
• Identification of injury cause
• Treatment based on current research

Fit Ball

Fit Ball or Swiss Ball exercises are a great way to exercise postural muscles because they have an unstable base. Physiotherapists commonly prescribe exercises on Fit Balls to assist in the rehabilitation of many conditions. These conditions include –

• Rehabilitation of core muscles when treating back pain facilitating shoulder girdle control when treating movement dysfunction of the shoulder to general body awareness.
• Balance improving posture in pregnancy to name a few
• Exercise programs can be designed specifically for clients for rehabilitation, general well being and for sports training.

It is ideally suited for individuals or groups.

A fantastic general Fit Ball Program by Lisa Westlake is also available at PhysioMaxx on DVD. This facilitates correct exercises at home.

For further information please contact PhysioMaxx or

Click here to go to Lisa Westlakes website...

ActiveMaxx Rehabilitation

ActiveMaxx Rehabilitation is a Work Conditioning Program run by the staff at PhysioMaxx. It involves assessment and treatment then providing a rehabilitation program of general physiotherapy, Clinical Pilates and Fit Ball exercises. Each program differs depending on the needs of the client. It may include rehabilitation with the aim of upgrading their ability to work, management of a pre-existing injury, advice, strategies and reassurance with respect to pain management, postural education and even manual handling training.