A Physiotherapist's Guide to Understand and Managing ME/CFS

A new book, A Physiotherapist’s Guide to Understanding and Managing ME/CFS, has arrived at a timely moment. With so many long Covid patients being diagnosed with ME or ME/CFS, it is essential that physiotherapists-or physical therapists, in the US-grasp the essentials of the disease, and in particular the existence of post-exertional malaise (PEM).
The book, which came out last month, was co-authored by four British physiotherapists-Karen Leslie, Dr Michelle Bull, Dr Nicola Clague-Baker, and Natalie Hilliard. In 2019, before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the four of them founded an organization, Physios for ME, in order to “to research, educate and advocate to improve physiotherapy management for people with ME.”
According to the website:
“We are aware that people with ME may come into contact with physiotherapists in many services; musculoskeletal, neurological, community, paediatrics, pain, fatigue, rheumatology, private practice - as well as specialist ME clinics…However, education about ME is limited for most physiotherapists and current guidelines do not reflect more recent evidence about the potential harm of some treatment approaches.”
I recently spoke with two of the four authors about why they wrote the book, how they formed Physios for ME in the first place, and related issues.

[@lautjecrown]

Great interview! As both a doctor and ME patient for 5 years, I've had many former colleagues advising me to keep exercising. And time and again, I told them that it's different with ME because of PEM. But they just have really big trouble understanding and accepting that ME is different from all the other chronic illnesses they have ever seen. That it's even different from MS or ALS or Parkinson's or end-stage COPD. And that's exactly what Karen also said in the interview. I wish I would accept that.

[@madeleinethriftvip]

Great to see the women behind this book. Thank you 😊and thanks Dave for another brilliant interview 💙🫶🏽

[@anilaboutme]

Lovely interview about an important topic. It's great to see there is increasingly more awareness for PEM.

[@laurabone3228]

I am just beginning physical therapy for my ME/CFS. At my request. I am fortunate to be working with a physio who worked with Todd Davenport at Kaiser. She knows her stuff!

[@madeleinethriftvip]

Wow, I’ve dreamt of this for the last 16 yrs since I had to stop dance teaching. I loved my
Job! All experiences since I had to stop, with physios has been negative. This is the first postive thing I’ve seen, this book and these women! I will carry it with me when needed. Had to work so much out myself over the last 16 years alone, to often extremely punishing consequences in the hope I would improve after being told GET was the answer. I now think that has caused permanent disability and muscle damage. All the very best to you 💙✨