Robin McKenzie 1931 - 2013

It is with great sadness today that I note the passing of world-renowned physiotherapist Robin McKenzie at the age of 82.

I, like many of my colleagues, have struggled throughout the day. I have found myself challenged to find words to adequately describe what I am feeling right now. There have been tears. And there have been wonderful memories.

I could recount McKenzie's tremendous impact on physiotherapy, musculoskeletal care, and health care as a whole, or his development of the McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis And Therapy. I am sure that my efforts would be an understatement to his legacy.

But the profound sadness that I feel today is due to the loss of a great man that had a huge impact on who I am as a person.

Robin McKenzie took residence at the intersection of clinician and scientist. He made observations and he tested hypotheses. As he noted, "my patients taught me all I know". It was all about the patient. McKenzie gave the phrase "patient-centered care" true meaning. I took that to heart.

Robin McKenzie was a visionary. He had strength in his convictions and devotion to his principles, even if they were initially not well received by the medical community. His thinking was (and is) at least a few decades ahead of the curve. I always admired his commitment and courage when others doubted him. I took that to heart as well.

My clinical world has been transformed. It started the moment I took my first MDT course in 1994, and continued on through the Diploma program in 1998. It continued through my 9 years as Editor of the US and International McKenzie Journals. The transformation continues to this very moment with each patient that experiences MDT in my office. Throughout those two decades, I have learned about MDT and mechanical loading and clinical reasoning - among many other concepts. For those things alone, I am forever grateful.

But the transformation didn't end with patient care. It was a personal transformation as well. The experiences along the way changed who I am, how I think, and how I see the world around me. This is far more important than directional preference and recovery of function.

The true measure of a man, as they say, is the impact they have on others. I, amongst countless others, can personally attest to Robin McKenzie's impact and inspiration. He has enriched our lives with his passion, his insight, and his sheer presence.

My thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Joy, his four children and six grandchildren - along with the "extended family" that is the McKenzie Institute and MDT clinicians around the world.

Thank you, Robin, for being a part of my personal journey. You will be dearly missed.

Related Articles By Allan Besselink

• The Day That McKenzie Challenged My Beliefs
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• McKenzie And Systemic Mechanical Diagnosis