25/08/2025
It’s Not About Filling Forms — It’s About Thinking Clinically 🧠
The McKenzie Method is More Than a Checklist ✅ It’s a Clinical Mindset
🧠 Clinical Insight from Robin McKenzie
Physical therapists in the Orthopaedic Section of the APTA named him the number one most influential and distinguished physical therapist in the field of orthopaedic physical therapy.
💬 “Not enough white.”
At first, this comment puzzled students. What did Robin mean?
He was referring to the assessment form — when every single question was answered or checked off, leaving little to no white space. To him, this was a red flag. It meant the clinician was going through the motions of completing a form, rather than thinking critically about why each question was being asked and whether it applied to the patient in front of them.
📌 Robin wasn’t looking for form completion. He was looking for clinical reasoning.
✅ The McKenzie Method is built on a systematic and reliable assessment process, but it’s only powerful when used thoughtfully. It’s not about filling in blanks — it’s about understanding the patient’s presentation and knowing how to use the classification system to guide care.
📈 Want better outcomes? Start with better assessment — grounded in understanding, not routine.
🎓 Ready to refine your clinical reasoning skills? Reach out to your local McKenzie branch and take the first step toward more effective, individualized care.
