Orthopaedic Medicine Expanding MADAM - It was with astonishment that we read the advertisement for 'The Dr James Cyriax course in orthopaedic medicine' organised by the Cyriax Organisation, as being the only tuition in orthopaedic medicine authorised by the late Dr Cyriax an4 the Cyriax Foundation.

For more than forty years, Dr Cyriax taught his principles to doctors and physio- therapists, many of whom became proficient teachers and assisted him on courses throughout the world.

Different groups have been formed (namely the Institute of Orthopaedic Medicine, the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine and Orthopaedic Medicine International), to promote and develop orthopaedic medicine based on Dr Cyriax's work.

Dr Cyriax taught on courses with teachers from the Society of Orthopaedic Medicine

(of which he was president in its infancy) and latterly he taught on courses with the teaching team now called Orthopaedic Medicine International, and was working with them up to the time of his death.

We cannot believe that he did not approve of these courses or indeed the teachers, as most of them were taught by him personally. We therefore find the claims in the above advertisement both ambiguous and misleading.

Orthopaedic medicine is an expanding field. It is important to realise that all the groups involved in teaching Dr Cyriax's principles do it to further orthopaedic medicine and to teach others these most valuable skills. It is a sad day when we may be discouraged from doing so and future students be misled by such an advertisement.

MARGARET COLDHAM MCSP The Society of Orthopaedic Medicine ELIZABETH KELLY MCSP Orthopaedic Medicine International

Boiling Blood MADAM - Our blood pressure remained Occupational therapy is a valid profession normal while reading 'Responses to in its own right and seeking to undermine Consultation' in the January edition of this by printing uninformed comments of a Physiotherapy, unti l the penultimate small minority will not help our professional paragraph. relationship.

Well, really, do you honestly think it appropriate to print that 'very much a minority view was to re-absorb occupational therapy skills' into other disciplines? Are we really only doing the work of other professionals? We dispute this and wonder how your members would feel had the reverse been proposed.

MARY JONES DipCOT BRIDGET MORDEN DipCOT JAYNE BACON DipCOT YLVA PARFITT DipCOT Chailey Heritage Hospital Nr Lewes East Sussex

Stroke Research MADAM - We are planning a study of physiotherapy for patients with stroke and are anxious to know of any other current research on stroke that is being undertaken by physiotherapists.

We would be most grateful if anyone who is currently working in stroke research or has completed a project in the last five years on stroke patients would contact us with details.

CECILY PARTRIDGE PhD FCSP Centre for Physiotherapy Research King's College London Strand London WC2R 2LS

Laser Study Group MADAM - With the increasing use of low level of bio-stimulation lasers, I feel that it would be rather nice to form a study group among the users of this therapeutic procedure. Having worked with low-level lasers for some twelve years I have found the results of treatment most encouraging.

Interested colleagues who might like to join such a group are invited to write to me at the address below.

Toft ree s Ashley Gardens, West Street Mayfield, East Sussex

JOHN GARRETT-CYSTER MCSP

Neurology in East Anglia MADAM - After consultation with coll- eagues around the Region we are hoping to set up an East Anglian Branch of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists

and the present, enjoying a grand reunion, was certainly paramount.

The kind words and good wishes of those present and those who Were unable to be there in will be remembered always as will the lovely and often entertaining cards and letters which have been arriving through the post. your gifts will be treasured and

in Neurology. It is hoped that we would have four

separate day meetings each year at different locations around the area. We intend to organise an inaugural meeting in April or

Would anyone interested in attending meetings please write to me at the address

Bring Back Class Work MADAM - If, as Mrs Mclntosh says (Physiotherapy, January. page 101, most physiotherapy class work is a thing of the past, then that is a great shame.

Not only are classes time and Cost efficient in these days of economic cuts, but also they are a perfect way to motivate our below. patients' to teach self-managementf in the first video made on the camera GILL WILLIAMS MCSp (Mrs) '

and ,to promote discussion and feedback. Physiotherapy Department Group work is far less common in The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Australia' and something in which new Gayton Road, King's Lynn Norfolk PE30 4ET

graduates are not well versed. When applying for jobs involving class teaching, prospective employers breathe a sigh of relief

Disabled Car Stickers on hearing that I am British trained.

can be adapted to many situations, not MADAM - I write to inquire whether least to peer group education, while the Coventry PolYtechnic physiotherapists have problems w i th value of group work itself cannot be obtaining car stickers immediately for over-emphasised. patients having sustained amputation,

I would encourage physiotherapy Hormone Hazards CVA, etc. I have had a patient recently with educators not to let our students miss out an above-knee amputation who has had a on this valuable part of their training. MADAM - We are coming across more and problem getting a sticker for her car.

more patients who are receiving hormone We were told that stickers could not be CAROL E BOUGHEY MCSP MAPA replacement therapy in the form of adhesive provided until her permanent disability had Parkville patches or implants. been reached or she was in receipt of Australia We are concerned about the effects our mobility allowance. The woman concerned

electrical apparatus could have on the lives in a little village outside Horncastle and Retirement Thanks release of these hormones when treatment obviously needs to go into a town to shop. MADAM - I wish to thank, sincerely, is given above or in close proximity to them. I am interested in gaining the opinions of all those who helped to make my recent We would like to hear from anyone who other physiotherapists regarding changing of retirement celebrations so memorable has information On this subject* the law for provision of disabled car stickers and enjoyable. It is impossible to describe so that they can be provided on a temporary or explain the mixture of emotions and basis to people in obvious need. thoughts that pass through the mind at such KEITH E KELSEY MCSP a time but pleasure at seeing so many 37 Langworthgate friends and colleagues from both the past Lincoln

the flowers are already preserved forever

recorder. Thank you all SO very much. w e mUSt get

together again before too many years go by - it was such a happy dayl

HELEN w AT~INSON Fcsp DipTP (n6e Peterkin)

The skills involved in taking classes Formerly Head, CoventrY School of PhYsiotheraPY

DIANA CAWDERY MCSP VIV TIMBRELL MCSP Royal Victoria Hospital Shelley Road Bournemouth BH1 4JG

physiotherapy, March 1989, vd 75, no 3 153