12/03/2025
🧠 1. Encourages the Disc Material to Move Back Into Place.
Many people with lower back pain have some degree of disc irritation or bulging.
The press-up puts the spine into gentle extension, which can help shift pressure away from the back of the disc—where nerves often get irritated.
For some patients, this helps pain centralize (move out of the leg and back toward the spine).
💨 2. It Reduces Pressure on Nerves
By opening the front of the spine and reducing stress on the back of the discs, the press-up can help relieve pressure on compressed or irritated nerve roots.
This often leads to reduced leg pain, tingling, or numbness.
🔄 3. It Restores Normal Spinal Movement
Back pain can make people guard or avoid movement.
The press-up helps restore normal extension mobility, which balances out how much time people spend in flexion (bending forward, sitting, driving, etc.).
💪 4. It Helps Calm Muscles and Reduce Pain Sensitivity
The movement encourages relaxation of overactive low-back muscles and decreases sensitivity in irritated tissues.
This can make it easier to move, stand, and walk with less discomfort.
🧭 5. It Gives Patients a Simple Tool for At-Home Relief
One of the biggest benefits of the McKenzie method is patient empowerment.
The press-up is easy to perform, requires no equipment, and can provide quick feedback about what movements help or aggravate symptoms.
✔️ When It Works Best
The press-up is most effective when:
Pain improves with standing or extension
Pain travels down the leg and moves back toward the spine during the exercise (“centralization”)
Flexion-based activities (sitting, bending) worsen symptoms
