Robin McKenzie technique questions?

Dave, glad that you are doing better! McKenzie along with others don't think that you will ever be completely healed of this condition. As long as there is fluid material that can shift around in the walls of the disc there is always the chance that it can come out the track that has been formed by the bulging or frank herniation. There are also a lot of us that believe that a large portion of the pain that is felt comes from the fascia that lines the muscles as well as the facet joints that allow and control the movement of the vertebrae and thereby the disc. Balance with McKenzie and others is the most important part as long as you keep the lower back in control or in a neutral position the likelihood of problems has been lessened. As for question #1 the hands are on the lower back down as far as you can get them before they go onto the sacrum. By moving the hips those inches you are placing an outside force to that area moving the fluid material back into the center of the disc where it is away from the nerves. #2 absolutely. You want to keep working the program for if you stop and all of the principles stopped you will be back in pain. #3 No. Please understand that you have to look at your spine or body as a column and that what you have now is throwing the column out of shape. The movement that is asked for is centering the column. Think of it this way. Take two blocks and place a marble between them. Now shift the marble to the right slightly. To get the marble back in the middle you are going to have to shift the column to the right to bring back the marble into the center. #4. One never really stops doing them unless you are physically unable to do them anymore or you just loose interest in doing them. As for the neck you may do those but if it is a strain then suggest another technique. Sit in a straight chair and raise the left arm up as high as it will go and then return it to the side. Do the other arm and one of those will have gone up further. Start with that arm. Raise it as hard as you can for 30 seconds and then rest for 15. Repeat twice more and then do the opposite arm exactly the same way 3 times. Never enter an area of pain but stop short of it. Turn the head to the left as far as you can without pain and then to the right. One direction will go further so start there. Turn in that direction as far as you can for 30 seconds as long as you stay out of pain. Repeat that twice more and then do the opposite side 3 times. Again stay out of the area of pain. Do those movements about twice a day and the problem should clear. Hope this helps!