I have chronic back pain due to spondylolisthesis at L5-S1. I have tried many PTs and exercises over the years. Unfortunately the McKenzie method does not work at all for me, in fact it increases my pain. This is because it focuses on back extension and not on back flexion. I have had much better results with the Williams Flexion exercises, which often relieve my back pain. It all comes down to... everyone is somewhat unique in what will help them or not. I would definitely try to check with a professional who knows what they are doing. Many PTs pushed the McKenzie method on me and caused me to have worse pain than ever. But for some people, it could certainly help. The trick is to find someone who really knows what they are talking about. The PT who told me to use Williams was right for me, the ones who told me to follow McKenzie were were wrong for me. P.S. If you are checking out Williams and McKenzie exercises, you might want to also check out the McGill exercises.