A Physiotherapist's Guide to Understanding and Managing ME/CFS
We are delighted to present our new book “A Physiotherapist’s Guide to Understanding and Managing ME/CFS” which was published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers on 21st August 2023.
Where can I buy the book?
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The book is available via online booksellers globally (for example Amazon). The best way to find it would be to search the title (“A Physiotherapist’s Guide to Understanding and Managing ME/CFS”) on your preferred online platform in your country, or you can buy from the publisher directly. You can even ask your local bookstore to stock it from the publishers.
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Is it available as an e-book or audio recording?
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At present the book is available in both print and as an e-book.
It is not currently available in any other format.
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Is the book available in any other language?
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The book is currently only available in English, but it is available worldwide. Unfortunately we are not able to translate it into any other language ourselves.
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Our publisher can typically only licence translation rights to another publisher or organisation, not individuals. An interested party can approach us with regards translation and we can then pass this on to our publisher.
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Is the book available to borrow from my local library / buy from an independent bookstore?
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It is up to individual libraries and stores whether to stock the book. If you would like to source it from a local library, or purchase it from a particular bookstore, then you can ask them directly if they can order a copy for you from the publishers.
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Who is the book aimed at?
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The book’s primary audience is all physiotherapists, not just those who work in ME services, as it contains information relevant to any physiotherapy practice that must be adapted to work safely with people with ME. We also feel it would be of interest to all allied health professionals, not just physiotherapists.
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I have ME, would the book be suitable for me?
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Though the book is structured with a health professional in mind, the contents may be of interest to people with ME and we are getting feedback that it is relatively easy to understand.
However, the book is not designed as a "self-help guide" and we would encourage anyone thinking of changing their current regime or trying a new management approach to seek appropriate medical guidance (although we appreciate this is sometimes difficult to find).
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What is in the book?
We worked hard to create a book that was evidence based, reflective of the ME community’s experiences, and a practical tool for physiotherapists. In the book you’ll find:
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the evidence base presented clearly, followed by summaries that show how the information can be applied directly to physiotherapy practice
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comments from different people with ME to add the lived experience of this condition and put into context how the clinical information affects people’s lives
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case studies that bring together all the information and present real-life scenarios of how a physiotherapist may be able to assist different presentations of ME.
The books is split into three main sections:
Section 1: Understanding ME/CFS
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What is ME/CFS?
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Co-Morbidities
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Severe and Very Severe ME/CFS
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Paediatric ME/CFS
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Management in Acute Post Viral Presentations
Section 2: Symptoms and Management
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Post Exertional Malaise
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Fatigue
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Cognitive Dysfunction
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Sleep Dysfunction
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Pain
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Neurological Impairments
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Autonomic Dysfunction
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Immune and Neuroendocrine Dysfunction
Section 3: Physiotherapy Assessment and Management of ME/CFS
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Assessment
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Energy Management
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Pacing with a Heart Rate Monitor
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Exercise
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Outcome Measures
At the end of the book are case studies, and an appendix of common medications.
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What feedback have you received?
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We’ve received some positive responses so far, for example:
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“This is an exceptional resource that steers away from cookbook recipes and instead focusses on principles for safe and effective physiotherapy. I encourage professional organizations, even outside physiotherapy, and university programs worldwide to integrate this content into training and continued education initiatives to improve quality of care. I encourage researchers to integrate this knowledge when designing research programs in this field.”
Simon Décary, PT, PhD, Co-Lead Principal Investigator Long COVID Web, Canada
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We hope that this book is helpful and are so pleased to have another opportunity to educate and spread awareness about ME to physiotherapists across the world. We'd like to thank the publishers for the opportunity, the specialists involved in reviewing earlier drafts and providing their important insights, and the people with ME who used their valuable energy to lend their voices and experiences to the case studies.