If you’ve ever struggled with lower back pain or sciatica, you know how confusing recovery can be. One day a stretch feels good, the next day it flares everything up. That’s where the McKenzie Method comes in—a research-based approach used by physiotherapists worldwide to assess and treat spinal pain.
At the heart of the McKenzie Method is a powerful concept called directional preference—and it can be a game-changer for your recovery.
What Is Directional Preference in the McKenzie Method?
In the McKenzie Method, directional preference refers to a specific direction of movement—like bending forward, backward, or to the side—that helps reduce your pain and improve your movement. It can also cause symptoms like leg pain or sciatica to retreat back toward your spine (a very good sign known as centralisation).
For example:
- If bending backward reduces your back or leg pain, your directional preference is likely extension.
- If bending forward helps instead, your directional preference may be flexion.
- If leaning to one side feels better, it might be a lateral movement preference.
By identifying this movement pattern, the McKenzie Method helps us choose the right exercises to help your back heal faster and more effectively.
Why the McKenzie Method Is So Effective for Back Pain and Sciatica
Most cases of back pain are mechanical, meaning they’re influenced by how you move, sit, and stand throughout the day. The McKenzie Method uses directional preference to:
- Pinpoint the right exercises for your condition
- Teach you how to self-manage your symptoms at home
- Help you avoid aggravating movements
- Support recovery from common conditions like disc bulges, sciatica, or spinal stiffness
This approach puts you in control, giving you a clear plan based on how your body responds to movement—not guesswork.
How We Find Your Directional Preference
During your session, we use McKenzie assessment techniques to guide you through simple, repeated spinal movements. We closely observe how your symptoms respond. We look for:
- Pain relief
- Improved mobility
- Pain that moves from your leg or buttock back toward your spine (centralisation)
Once we find the movement that helps most, we build your treatment plan around it—following the principles of the McKenzie Method.
Common Directional Preferences in the McKenzie Method
🔹 Extension (bending backward)
Often helpful for people with disc-related lower back pain or sciatica. Sitting or bending forward usually worsens pain, while standing up tall or lying on your stomach often provides relief.
🔹 Flexion (bending forward)
Usually beneficial for those with spinal stenosis or age-related stiffness. Standing and walking may increase pain, but leaning forward or sitting eases discomfort.
🔹 Lateral (bending or shifting to the side)
Useful for asymmetrical pain or uneven pressure in the spine. Lateral movements can help “unlock” stiff segments or ease pressure on a nerve root.
What If No Directional Preference Is Found?
Not everyone shows a clear directional preference immediately. In early stages of inflammation or acute pain, your body might be too reactive. But with gentle movements and guidance, a preference often becomes clear over a few sessions.
Why the McKenzie Method Empowers You
One of the biggest advantages of the McKenzie Method is that it teaches you to become your own therapist. Once you learn your directional preference, you’ll know:
- Which movements relieve pain
- What to avoid during flare-ups
- How to speed up your recovery
- What to do if the pain returns later in life
No need to rely on endless treatments—you’ll have the tools to manage your back pain for good.
Find Out Your Directional Preference with the McKenzie Method
If you’re dealing with back pain or sciatica and tired of temporary fixes, let us help you find your directional preference using the proven McKenzie Method. With a clear plan based on your body’s needs, you’ll finally know what works—and why.
📞 Book a consultation today to start your recovery with confidence.