
19/09/2025
🗣️ “I always considered Robin to be the first biopsychosocial physical therapist.” – Mark Werneke
Very early in his career, Mark saw parallels between Robin McKenzie’s patient education model and Gordon Waddell’s biopsychosocial approach. Both emphasised:
📌 Empowering patients to self-manage 💪
📌 Reducing fear and concerns about pain 🧠
📌 Promoting independence from the medical system 🩺
Before “biopsychosocial” became mainstream, Robin McKenzie was already practicing it — using simple, effective education and self-management strategies that continue to change lives today. 🌍
👉 Robin’s legacy reminds us that the right words, strategies, and encouragement can transform outcomes far beyond the treatment table.