Cfs Quote by Sten Helmfrid
““There are many reports that suggest a biomedical basis for post-exertional malaise. This is inconsistent with the assumption that there is pathological avoidance of exertion in ME/CFS, and makes it difficult to believe that exercise leads to improvement.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Medical conference on ME/CFS, 2023
The quote challenges the view that patients avoid activity due to pathology, noting evidence of a physiological cause for fatigue after exertion, which questions the belief that exercise alone can help.
In simple terms: Evidence suggests post‑exertional fatigue is biologically based, not just avoidance.
Key Takeaway
Rethink treatment to address underlying biology.
Themes
health
fatigue
exercise
biology
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
clinical
controversial
When to use this quote
- patient care
- research design
- rehabilitation programs
Key Concepts
post‑exertional malaise
biomedical evidence
clinical assumptions
Questions to Reflect On
- How should treatment protocols adapt to biological fatigue?
- What alternative therapies could complement or replace exercise?
A Different Perspective
Exercise may not be universally beneficial and could worsen symptoms.
![“To replace ME/CFS, the [Institute of Medicine] committee proposes the name systemic exertion intolerance disease, or SEID. This name captures a central characteristic of the disease: the fact that exertion of any sort— physical, cognitive, or emotional—can adversely affect patients in many organ…” quote by Ellen Wright Clayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7b1/ellen-wright-clayton-235558_cfs_to-replace-me-cfs-the-institute-of-medic_405286.jpg)