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.
The book is available in print and as an ebook 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.
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, as well as people with ME.
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:
the evidence base presented clearly, followed by summaries that show how the information can be applied directly to physiotherapy practice
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
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
What is ME/CFS?
Co-Morbidities
Severe and Very Severe ME/CFS
Paediatric ME/CFS
Management in Acute Post Viral Presentations
Section 2: Symptoms and Management
Post Exertional Malaise
Fatigue
Cognitive Dysfunction
Sleep Dysfunction
Pain
Neurological Impairments
Autonomic Dysfunction
Immune and Neuroendocrine Dysfunction
Section 3: Physiotherapy Assessment and Management of ME/CFS
Assessment
Energy Management
Pacing with a Heart Rate Monitor
Exercise
Outcome Measures
At the end of the book are case studies, and an appendix of common medications.
We’ve received some positive responses so far, for example:
“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
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.