Seven Most Influential Persons in Orthopedic Physical Therapy

The Seven Most Influential Persons in Orthopedic Physical Therapy Today

1. Robin McKenzie (www.mckenziemdt.org)
No one should be surprised to find Robin McKenzie’s name on the top of this list. McKenzie determined that various exercises could change the location and severity of pain. He made the serendipitous discovery that when pain retreated from the extremities with positioning or exercise, a positive treatment outcome was forthcoming. McKenzie was the first to recognize this phenomenon of centralization of pain.
Just as Sir Isaac Newton formulated the Universal Law of Gravitation from the simple observation of an apple falling from a tree, McKenzie went on to derive an entire conceptual framework for treating back and neck pain from this observation. The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy is now used worldwide by tens of thousands of physical therapists, chiropractors, and physicians.
The McKenzie Method is taught as a five-level sequential Education Program comprising five courses (A through E) in over thirty-two countries. The educational program is standardized, with the content for each level consistent around the world. The extensive web of educational programs is managed by The McKenzie Institute International, a Charitable Trust. Headquartered in Waikanae, New Zealand, the international nonprofit organization also funds worldwide research.
Robin McKenzie has published several books for the professional and layman. His titles have been translated into many languages, with millions of copies sold worldwide. Interestingly, the goal of the McKenzie Method is to make the patient independent of therapists. Therefore, his books for the layman have a self-treat theme. His latest book, co-authored by Stephen May is for the professional and is the second edition of The Lumbar Spine - Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy. In the foreword of this landmark edition, Professor Nikolai Bogduk, Professor of Pain Medicine at the University of Newcastle, Australia, accurately summarizes the place The McKenzie Method occupies in the new millennium.

“If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants."
Isaac Newton 1676
Arguably the greatest genius of all time, Isaac Newton attributed his success to the opportunity to build on the work of others. He readily paid tribute to the “Giants” who came before him. The seven persons profiled in this article are “Giants” in the field of orthopedic physical therapy. Through their work they have greatly influenced the current thinking and performance of orthopedic physical therapists today. They have established an extraordinary foundation of knowledge upon which to build.
Methodology
A survey form was sent to a random sampling of 320 physical therapists from the orthopedic section of the APTA (American Physical Therapy Association). The survey form contained the names of eleven distinguished physical therapists and one physician from the field of orthopedic physical therapy. Research methodology for choosing the initial twelve names was based upon the assumption that talent recognizes talent. Noteworthy physical therapists were surveyed and asked who among their peers should be included on a top-ten list of influential physical therapists and physicians in orthopedic physical therapy. The entire list of recommended names is provided at the end of the article. The initial list was narrowed to twelve individuals based upon frequency of name submission, originality of ideas, and the ability of the individual to pass on their teachings to a national or worldwide audience.
In the final survey sent to the 320 members of the orthopedic section of the APTA, participants were asked to indicate the amount of influence the work of the twelve individuals has on their thinking or performance in orthopedic physical therapy.
The influence scale was as follows:
0 No Influence 1 Low Influence 2 Moderate Influence 3 High Influence 4 Very High Influence
One hundred and forty-eight participants returned surveys for a response rate of 46 percent. The scores were tallied and averaged and the individuals with the top seven scores were recorded. The final rankings were as follows:
1. Robin McKenzie 2.55
2. Dr. James Cyriax 2.44
3. Florence Kendall 2.33
4. Geoffrey Maitland 2.24
5. Stanley Paris 2.00
6. Shirley Sahrmann 1.81
7. Brian Mulligan 1.80
Freddy Kaltenborn received an honorable mention at 1.78.
The work of these seven Giants is highly worthy of study. When looking to advance learning in orthopedic physical therapy, one would be well served to begin with these men and women. This is particularly true of new students. Students begin their education with a clean mental file, and from the start they should be provided some of the best sources available.
What follows is a brief profile of the seven influential giants.

The “Giants” profiled in this article have made important and lasting contributions to the world of orthopedic physical therapy. Their work has high educational value, and merits study by current and future generations.

Influential physical therapists considered for or included in the study: Michelle Battie, David Butler, Robert Donatelli, Brian Edwards, Robert Elvy, Olaf Evjenth, Gary Gray, Ola Grimsby, Greg Johnson, Gwendolen Jull, Mark Laslett, Jenny McConnell, Wayne Rath, Mariano Rocabado Duane Saunders, Lance Twoomey, William Vicenzio, Paula Van Wejimen, Kevin Wilk, Dos Winkle, Michael Wooden.
Influential doctors considered for the study: Alan Stoddard, M.D., D.O., Robert Maigne, M.D., James Mennel, M.D., Karel Lewitt, M.D., Lawrence Jones, D.O.


Author: Robert J. Schrupp, PT, MA may be contacted at schrupp@hbci.com.