6533b821fe1ef96bd127b62b

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Physiotherapy for patients with anorexia nervosa

subject

description

The integration of physiotherapy as an adjunctive treatment for patients with an eating disorder within psychiatric health care and rehabilitation may sound unusual. However, physiotherapists have specific expertise in both the ‘body’ and ‘the body in movement’, two important issues integral to eating disorder pathology. Based on our clinical practice and the current body of scientific evidence, a rationale and clinical guidance for incorporating physiotherapy into treatment for patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) is presented. Two main indications for physiotherapy are proposed for patients with AN: (1) the distorted body experience with a specific focus on perception, attitudes, and behavior, and (2) the compulsive and excessive engagement in physical activity characteristic of patients with AN. Physiotherapists have a wide array of skills and are encouraged to select those techniques (e.g. relaxation, breathing exercises, awareness exercise, and exercise programs) which are most individually relevant t...