Heather Wiggins, a physical therapist with the University of South Alabama department of orthopaedics, recently passed certification from the McKenzie Institute. The McKenzie method focuses on mechanically assessing and treating individuals with spine pain, emphasizing active patient involvement and education.

For certification, Wiggins had to undergo an exam consisting of multi-level testing with written and performance components designed to assess her clinical knowledge and skills developed throughout the course curriculum, as well as be a licensed or registered practitioner.

The benefits of the McKenzie Method for patients are that it allows them to learn the principles of the method and empowers the patient to take control of their pain management, reducing their dependency on medical intervention.

In Mobile there are only four McKenzie certified physical therapists, two of whom are with the USA department of orthopaedics. USA’s Joan Friedlander has been certified since 1998. The department also has two certified hand therapists, a certified athletic trainer, and therapists with approximately 20-30 years of therapy experience.