We recently had a client with a 2 year history of Achilles pain, aching and inability to maintain her fitness routine. She had tried various things for her Achilles including stretching, rest, active release, IMS, and even a walking boot. No matter what she tried, nothing seemed to work in fact the pain had started to spread to her whole ankle. We assessed using the McKenzie Method and determined she had a problem within the ankle itself that seemed to respond to a simple movement. We sent her home doing one movement 2 sets of 7, 4 times a day. It took her 1.5 minutes to do her program and she was able to do it at work. We also recommended keeping her foot in a certain position more often to reduce compression forces. Within one week, she reported an 80% improvement in her symptoms. She no longer had a stiff and painful ankle every time she got up from a chair, and her initial steps in the morning were much less painful. With this drastic reduction in pain, her strength had also improved 50% and by the second physiotherapy session, we were able to progress to strengthening. By her third visit, we were able to resume treadmill walking – something she had avoided for 18 months due to pain. Not everything we see responds this drastically but by using the McKenzie Method, we are able to screen for problems that WILL respond rapidly, and treatment progresses rapidly as well. We can usually tell within the first session whether or not your problem will be a “rapid responder”. Bonavista Physical Therapy is the only Certified McKenzie Clinic in Alberta. One of only 2 clinics in western Canada with this designation.