The only certification recognized by Backfitpro Inc. and required before pursuing McGill Method Master Clinician status.
ABOUT McGILL METHOD CERTIFIED INDIVIDUALS
Someone who is McGill Method Certified has studied the work of Professor Stuart McGill, an expert on low back pain assessment, rehabilitation and performance enhancement. They have also sought out the practical experience by attending Dr. McGill’s in-person or online, intensive seminars to hone their skills and techniques.
A McGill Method Certified individual has training in assisting clients in reducing the risk of disabling low back pain and injury, optimizing their health outcomes and enhancing their performance. The certified McGill Method clinician has studied how to use information obtained from history taking and movement assessment to better match corrective/therapeutic and performance enhancement exercise. They will also have been exposed to nuances of technique to reduce a client’s pain.
Looking for someone who is Mcgill Method Certified?
McGILL METHOD CERTIFIED MEMBER BENEFITS
Just a few of the benefits that McGill Method Certified members receive!
Referrals
Receive direct client referrals from Dr. Stuart McGill.
Recognition
Attain and have permission to use the McGill Method Certified designation — the only designation recognized by Dr. Stuart McGill and Backfitpro Inc.
Advancement
Achieve the eligibility requirement of becoming McGill Method Certified to pursue McGill Method Master Clinican status
Exposure
Listed on the McGill Method Certified contact database, accessible to the general public
Access
Access to the Backfitpro e-newsletter that contains exclusive content from Dr. McGill and his faculty
Connection
Connection with an alliance of McGill Method Certified colleagues
Discounts
Discounts on Backfitpro products and events
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- A health care practitioner or fitness professional, in good standing with their professional college or association.
- Within the last five (5) years, you will have attended (1) McGill Method 1 – Foundation for the pain-free back; (2) McGill Method 2 – Assessment or McGill Method 2 – Assessment Master Course; and (3) McGill Method 3 – Enhancing Performance. * The online version of these courses are available through Backfitpro by clicking HERE
*Please note that if you take the online version of the above three courses, you must also attend a small-enrollment hands-on skills development workshop for each course. These workshops are offered by Backfitpro and are available both in-person and online.
STEPS TO BECOMING McGILL METHOD CERTIFIED
> Take the Written Exam
Take the McGill Method Certification written exam. This written exam will be administered online and composed of a series of short answer questions, based on the content in Dr. Stuart McGill’s Back Mechanic, Low Back Disorders (3rd Ed.) and Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance (6th Ed.) textbooks and McGill 1, 2 and 3 seminar materials. The written exam is worth 45% of your McGill Method Certification grade.
> Take the Practical Exam
Take the McGill Method Certification practical exam. This practical exam will be administered online via a video conference with a Backfitpro faculty member. You will be required to bring a model to your practical exam video conference, as you will be requested to demonstrate and coach various McGill Method practices, that are based on the content in Prof. Stuart McGill’s Back Mechanic, Low Back Disorders (3rd Ed.) and Ultimate Back Fitness and Performance (6th Ed.) textbooks and McGill 1, 2 and 3 seminar materials. The practical exam is worth 55% of your McGill Method Certification grade. Following completion of your practical exam, you will receive your pass or fail exam result, based on both exam components.
> Pay your member fees
If you received a passing grade (≥ 80%), you will become McGill Method Certified. Once your McGill Method Certified member fees are paid (see Fee Schedule below), your contact information will be included in the McGill Method Certified database, available to the general public.
What does the exam test?
The following competencies are tested:
Competency #1
Competent in identification of red flags and appropriate referral procedures
Competency #2
Adept at thoroughly taking a client’s history, knowing what questions to ask and how to interpret the responses
Competency #3
Able to coach the corrective movement patterns that prevent/desensitize low back pain
Competency #4
Knowledgeable in how to develop an exercise program, including when and how to progress and regress the client in their program
Competency #5
Able to identify the movements, postures and loads that are (potential) pain triggers, coach the client in understanding these (potential) pain triggers and, if possible, relate them to a mechanism that will empower the client to make decisions in the future
Competency #6
Proficient in demonstrating and coaching a remedial core stabilization program (e.g., cue appropriate bracing strategies and coach progressions of the Big 3, as well as gluteal and lat activation), together with appropriate distal mobility
Competency #7
Proficient in the material in Dr. Stuart McGill’s textbooks, including, but not limited to, lumbar spine function and injury mechanisms, functional anatomy, patient assessment, corrective exercise prescription and performance training
Looking for more helpful resources while preparing for the McGill Method Certification exam?
Download your McGill Method Certification study guide HERE.
Fee Schedule
All prices listed below are in Canadian dollars (C$), and are non-refundable.
Exam Access*
C$ 449
Annual Certified Member Fee**
C$ 499renews yearly
Re-Certification Exam*
Free every 4 years
* Any exam re-writes are provided on an as-needed basis and are at the discretion of Backfitpro. If taken within 90 calendar days of the first attempt, the fees will be waived.
**This designation is not for life and Backfitpro reserves the right to remove the McGill Method Certified individual from the website.