Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) is a devastating, long-term, neurological condition which, at its worst, can affect every single function of the brain and body causing extreme pain and suffering.

In the new draft guidelines for ME/CFS, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are stating that treatment based on ‘Osteopathy’ should not be offered as an intervention for managing ME/CFS despite many patients having benefitted for over 30 years, and continuing to benefit, from an Osteopathy based technique for this debilitating illness.

This petition is demanding NICE amend the draft guidelines to include Osteopathy and to consider making osteopathic treatment for ME/CFS available on the NHS to enable universal access for an intervention that continues to improve lives around the world.

In a patient survey by the M.E. Association, the Osteopathy based treatment "The Perrin Technique" was ranked 3rd most effective treatment for ME, behind pacing and relaxation - both of which are vital parts of the advice given by Perrin Technique practitioners, with general Osteopathy ranked 5th. 

Furthermore, a research study to evaluate the efficacy of The Perrin Technique as a screening tool to aid in the diagnosis of ME/CFS published in the British Medical Journal Open showed highly significant success (86%) in diagnosing ME/CFS without the use of any patient history or symptom picture. When assessed by an experienced NHS Doctor using the standard clinical examination, only 44% of individuals were correctly diagnosed with ME/CFS. This research demonstrates how the Osteopathy based technique can be an effective aid to screening for ME/CFS.

The NICE guidelines committee agreed it was important that people with ME/CFS are provided with all the information about risks and benefits regarding interventions for symptom management to make an informed decision on whether they may be helpful. The complete disregard of Osteopathy as an intervention takes that option away from people with ME/CFS and robs them of the opportunity to improve from osteopathic treatment such as The Perrin Technique.

High ME patient satisfaction, a successful blind controlled diagnostic study and the support of Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, the University of Manchester and the Institute of Osteopathy cannot be ignored. Please lend your support too for The Perrin Technique to be acknowledged and made available on the NHS for the many who cannot afford private treatment  - because ME lives matter.