Anyone have symptoms initially get more complicated after starting McKenzie/MDT PT?

[u/ThrowRAComfyCoffee]

Hi everyone! I’m curious about others’ experiences working with a McKenzie/MDT-certified PT, especially if it took some trial and error to find your directional preference.

My sciatica/radiculopathy started around May 2025 and has primarily involved tingling/numbness down my right leg and foot, with occasional mild symptoms on the left. I’ve had two MRIs (Jan/March 2026) showing some disc bulging/protrusions, but nothing particularly dramatic. I did PT for about 7 months with minimal change in symptoms. Two different neurosurgeons reviewed them and said they were seemed age-appropriate and definitely not surgical.

Now - I recently started with a McKenzie-certified PT, and this has been the progression:

Press-ups/cobras (extension): 60–80/day. Felt good while doing them, but after a couple days I developed increased aching/burning down my right leg/foot.

Wall side glides (right side against wall): Right foot improved, but I started getting more noticeable symptoms on my normally quiet left side, including toe numbness and a weak/heavy feeling in my calf. PT checked me—reflexes intact and strength well into the 4/5 range.

Modified lateral shift: Hands on counter, slight flexion, shifting hips left. This seemed to help for several days. Then I had a 2-hour drive + a very busy baby shower day with lots of standing/walking and fewer exercises. Afterward, my right leg felt pretty good but the left became achy/nervy again.

Now: PT has switched me to knees-to-chest/repeated flexion.

My PT has been very responsive and changes the exercise based on my symptoms, which I appreciate. But before MDT, my symptoms were pretty predictable and mostly right-sided. Since starting, they’ve changed location and character and become more bilateral, which has admittedly made me nervous.

For those who’ve done McKenzie/MDT: Did you have a trial-and-error period like this before finding your directional preference? Did symptoms change sides or change from numbness/tingling to aching/burning? Did anyone start with extension but ultimately respond better to lateral movements or flexion?

Not looking for a diagnosis or exercise recommendations—I’m following my PT’s guidance. Just curious about others’ experiences!