The One Movement We Teach Almost Everyone (And Why It Works)

If you’re struggling with back pain, sciatica, stiffness, or nerve pain in your leg, and you’ve tried stretching, hot packs, or medication with little to no long-term relief…this article is for you.

At MUV Therapy in Mississauga, we do things a little differently. We focus on finding the root cause of your pain—not just treating the symptoms.

And for many of our patients, that starts with a single, powerful movement we teach in the very first visit.

But before we show you what it is, let’s explain why this approach works when others haven’t.

What Makes the McKenzie Method Different?

At MUV Therapy, all of our physiotherapists are fully certified in the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT): a globally respected system for assessing and treating musculoskeletal pain.

This isn’t just a technique. It’s a structured method that allows us to diagnose the cause of your pain through repeated movement testing.

Here’s what makes MDT different from most approaches:

• We don’t rely on machines or modalities

• We test specific movements to see how your pain responds

• We teach you simple, targeted exercises you can do at home

• We get you back to doing what you love—without long-term dependency on treatment

While many physiotherapists may take one or two MDT courses, certification requires extensive training, mentorship, and examination. It ensures that every patient we assess gets the same high-quality, evidence-based care…no guesswork involved.

The Power of Repeated Movements

Let’s say someone comes in with lower back pain and pain radiating down the leg. Most clinics would treat the leg…massage it, stretch it, apply a hot pack, maybe do some needling.

But if the pain is coming from the spine, none of those treatments will fix the problem.

That’s where repeated movement testing comes in.

We guide the patient through a series of safe, controlled movements, like forward bends, back bends, or side glides. We carefully observe what improves, worsens, or centralizes the pain, meaning it moves up toward the spine, which is a positive sign.

When we find the right movement direction, the body often starts to correct itself.

The Movement We Teach (Once We Know It Works)

Once we’ve assessed that a patient responds well to extension-based movements, we often teach a simple but powerful exercise called the prone press-up.

It’s one of the most effective tools we have for treating:

• Herniated discs

• Sciatica

• Mechanical low back pain

• Postural stiffness or strain from sitting

This movement looks a little like the cobra pose from yoga, but the goal isn’t flexibility, it’s to reverse the direction of stress in the spine, reduce disc pressure, and help the pain retreat from the leg and into the back.

Important: We never give this exercise blindly.
The McKenzie Method requires individualized testing to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for each person.

It’s Not About Magic—It’s About the Right System

You may have heard of treatments like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or general stretching programs. While these can sometimes feel good in the short term, they often don’t solve the real issue.

At MUV Therapy, we focus on active care and patient empowerment.

Our job is to help you understand what’s happening in your body and give you the tools to manage it, without needing to come in for treatment forever.

The Results Speak for Themselves

We’ve helped thousands of people move better, feel stronger, and avoid unnecessary medications, injections, or surgeries.

In fact, 88% of our patients reach their goals within just 3 months—whether that’s walking without pain, getting back to the gym, or simply being able to sit and stand comfortably throughout the day.

That’s the power of a system that works, and a team that knows how to use it.

Looking for a McKenzie Method Clinic in Mississauga?

If you’ve been told you need surgery…
If you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck…
Or if you just want a second opinion from someone who looks deeper—

We’re here to help.

At MUV Therapy, our fully certified MDT clinicians will guide you through a comprehensive mechanical assessment and build a plan tailored to your exact movement patterns and goals.

We don’t guess. We test.
We don’t mask pain. We solve it.

👉 Book your McKenzie assessment today and discover what your body is truly capable of

Want to read a real patient story?

Check out how one patient was told he needed surgery—until he came to us and saw dramatic improvement within 48 hours of his first visit:
👉 [Read Here]