Physiotherapy at RLHIM

Physiotherapy uses movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice to help people affected by injury, illness or disability.

These are chronic conditions (lasting months or years) which affect daily functioning and involve chronic fatigue not much relieved by rest (defining ME/CFS), chronic widespread muscle pain (defining FMS), sleep disturbance (particularly unrefreshing sleep), concentration difficulties, and sometimes headaches, intestinal and urinary symptoms, mood disturbance, and a range of other symptoms.

Physiotherapy provided at RLHIM for ME/CFS and FMS is in line with NICE (National Institute of Health and Care Excellence) and EULAR (European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) guidelines for these conditions.

The aims of physiotherapy for ME/CFS and FMS are:

• Learning strategies to manage difficulties caused by reduced physical activity or mobility
• Learning strategies to self-manage pain (if you have significant pain)
• Finding your physical activity baseline at a level that does not worsen your symptoms
• Learning how to add a physical activity or exercise programme into your routine without worsening your symptoms
• Learning how to progress your physical activity or exercise programmes without worsening your symptoms
• Learning strategies to manage flare-ups and relapses

At the first assessment you and the physiotherapist will discuss your symptoms, current activity patterns and specific needs you have. You may also be given a questionnaire to fill out which allows us to measure the severity of your symptoms and to record your progress.

The physiotherapist may also do a physical examination if you are having issues with pain, stiffness, joint instability and muscle weakness. Please wear comfortable clothes and footwear. If you require a physical examination please bring shorts, leggings and/or vest tops.

The assessment and treatment may involve physical contact. You may wish to have a chaperone in the room. It is possible that you may have a male physiotherapist, if you would prefer a female physiotherapist please inform the consultant referring you

The physiotherapist will work with you to develop an appropriate exercise/activity programme and treatment plan.

You will have a maximum of six sessions with the physiotherapist. These sessions may be at intervals of up to one month to allow you time to adapt to a programme or routine change.

You may be taught gentle stretching and relaxation exercises that may help with pain management and gentle strengthening exercises to improve strength without making your symptoms worse.

You may be referred to Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates classes that take place in the hospital.

If it is appropriate you may a course of up to six sessions of manual therapy that could include acupuncture.

At the end of the course of physiotherapy treatment you may be asked to complete a questionnaire to measure your progress. The physiotherapist will write a report to your GP, and you will be discharged from the physiotherapy service.

Appointments may be via telephone, video or face to face. You can choose which you prefer.

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know at least 48 hours beforehand so we can offer your appointment to someone else. If you do not attend your appointment without telling us we may refer you back to your GP.

Following your treatment, you will be referred back to your GP.

Professional education and training

The RLHIM is also a teaching hospital and from time to time other healthcare professionals may observe in outpatient clinics as part of a training course. We will always ask your permission for students to sit in during your consultation. You do not have to have students present if you would prefer not to.

The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine (RLHIM) is part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

We do not accept external referrals for Physiotherapy

Service location

Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medcine
60 Gt Ormond Street
London WC1N 3HR

Physiotherapy uses movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice to help people affected by injury, illness or disability.

This is pain which is has been present most or all the time for at least three months affecting bones, joints, muscles, and/or related soft tissues (such as ligaments and cartilage).

The aim of physiotherapy if you have Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain are:

• Learning strategies to manage difficulties caused by reduced physical activity or mobility
• Learning strategies to self-manage pain
• Creating an individualised home exercise programme to address your needs
• Advice about accessing local classes, gyms, pools so you can continue exercising after discharge

At the first assessment you and the physiotherapist will discuss your symptoms, current activity patterns and specific needs you have. You may also be given a questionnaire to fill out which allows us to measure the severity of your symptoms and to record your progress.

The physiotherapist will do a physical examination if you are having issues with pain, stiffness, joint instability and muscle weakness. Please wear comfortable clothes and footwear it maybe useful to bring shorts, leggings and/or vest tops. It is possible you may be seen by a male physiotherapist. If you would prefer a female physiotherapist please inform the member of staff who referred you.

The assessment and treatment may involve physical contact. You may wish to have a chaperone in the room.

The physiotherapist will work with you to develop an appropriate exercise/activity programme and treatment plan.

You will have six sessions with the physiotherapist.

You may be taught gentle stretching and relaxation exercises that may help with pain management.

If it is appropriate, you may have a course of up to six weekly sessions of manual therapy that could include acupuncture.

The physiotherapist may also book you into one the exercise classes that run on site - Pilates, Yoga and Tai Chi classes are available.

At the end of the course of physiotherapy treatment you may be asked to complete a questionnaire to measure your progress. The physiotherapist will write a report to your GP, and you will be discharged from the physiotherapy service.

Appointments may be via telephone, video or face to face, you can choose which you prefer.

If you are unable to attend your appointment, please let us know at least 48 hours beforehand so we can offer your appointment to someone else. If you do not attend your appointment without telling us we may refer you back to your GP.

Following your treatment, you will be referred back to your GP.

The RLHIM is also a teaching hospital and from time to time other healthcare professionals may observe in outpatient clinics as part of a training course. We will always ask your permission for students to sit in during your consultation. You do not have to have students present if you would prefer not to.

The Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine (RLHIM) is part of University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

We do not accept external referrals for Physiotherapy

Service location

Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medcine
60 Gt Ormond Street
London WC1N 3HR