In an exclusive Q&A feature, editors Roger Kerry and Barbara Cagnie answer questions about their book posed by PhysioUpdate editor Ian A McMillan. It ends with a final word from series editor Jeremy Lewis
What prompted you to decide to edit this comprehensive book? Had you tackled anything of this nature and scope before?
The population of people who experience neck or head pain and disability has always been a keen clinical and research interest of ours. We have both focused our work on better understanding the care of these people and our interests range from improving the recognition of serious pathologies and adverse events, through to best practice for management and rehabilitation.
The rehabilitation of people with these conditions falls short of optimum standards of care, and we are really interested in pulling together a single point of information to help guide clinicians in their assessment and management of what can often be complex and challenging presentations.
Inspired by Jeremy Lewis’s book – titled The Shoulder: Theory and Practice – we saw an opportunity to produce a contemporary and accessible resource. This is the first time either of us have tackled such a large text, but we have been extremely well supported by Jeremy and the publisher’s team.
‘We have (we think) succeeded in producing a text which is relevant for clinicians, educators, and researchers, and also undergraduate and postgraduate students’ [Roger Kerry and Barbara Cagnie]
Was editing this 528-page book a daunting task?
Our journey began in early 2023. We’re really pleased to have this completed and released the book in just a couple of years as ones of this size usually take much longer to finish. This means that the information and data in the book is as up to date as can be. This is all because of the commitment and responsiveness of the amazing contributing authors. We set a tight schedule and all chapter authors were engaged and produced excellent manuscripts that fitted our plans.
It absolutely was a daunting task! The first step was to identify the key world-leading clinicians, researchers, and educators in this field, then invite them to contribute and work with them to get each a chapter offering a unique and important part of the book. We cannot thank every contributor enough for going out of their way to ensure our deadlines were met. We know from the other side how difficult this is with intense and busy work schedules. The success of this book is completely down to the chapter authors.
How would you sum up what’s on offer?
Existing texts in this area tend to focus either on a particular approach to the assessment and management of people with head and neck pain, or a synthesis of a particular research group. We wanted to produce an unbiased text built on the best of the research evidence that represents the full scope of what we know about this clinical area. The book offers the most up to date, inter-disciplinary, person-focused summary of best evidence and practice all in one place.
The book is organised in three sections, offering chapters on background clinical detail and epidemiology of the most common and burdensome problems of the head and neck. This is followed by a section on assessment and management, and finishing with seven chapters on contemporary case studies. The final chapter leans in to a possible future with Jeremy offering a commentary on an extended reality of healthcare.
Is the publication aimed at a multidisciplinary readership and will it appeal to hand-on physiotherapists and other practitioners?
Contributors include physiotherapists, osteopaths and chiropractors. We also include clinicians and researchers working in diverse areas of this field. The aim of the text is to be inclusive and speak to a wide audience, which includes all the groups mentioned above, and any other health professionals who work with this group of people. We have (we think) succeeded in producing a text which is relevant for clinicians, educators, and researchers, and also undergraduate and postgraduate students.
‘I am confident that this work will become an instant best seller and an invaluable resource for clinicians, educators, and researchers alike’ [Jeremy Lewis, series editor]
Roger and Barbara, please give us an insight into your ‘day jobs’
Roger: ‘I am Professor of Physiotherapy Education at the University of Nottingham in the UK. At the moment, I lead the undergraduate physiotherapy programme, but have in the past led the postgraduate provision. I am involved in educational and clinical research and supervise some incredible PhD students.
‘Trying to keep on top of numerous roles and responsibilities is very challenging but there is something satisfying about keeping (most) balls in the air.’
Barbara: ‘I am a professor in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy at Ghent University in Belgium. I’m leading the bachelor/master programme in physiotherapy as well as the postgraduate education in manual therapy.
‘My topic of research and teaching expertise, as well as my clinical work, is the assessment and rehabilitation of patients with neck pain. The combination of research, education and outreach is challenging but gives a lot of satisfaction.’
Has the experience of co-editing the book exhausted you or fired you up for future projects?
This has been an energising and highly rewarding experience. Working together has been wonderful (Barbara’s amazing organisation and constant nagging has kept the whole project on track! And Roger’s entertaining enthusiasm kept us smiling during the whole trajectory). Both of us probably need a little bit of a ‘rest’, but it is certainly onwards and upwards with the next thing.
Is there a publication date and how will you celebrate?
The book will be released tomorrow (21 October 2025). We recently met up in Belgium and celebrated over a few drinks and plates of cheese!
Series editor Jeremy Lewis: predicts the book will become a ‘best seller’
‘It has been an absolute delight and a true privilege to serve as series editor for Head and Neck Pain: Theory and Practice, expertly edited by Roger Kerry and Barbara Cagnie. This volume represents a remarkable synthesis of cutting-edge research, clinical expertise, and practical insight, brought together by two of the most respected leaders in the field.
‘Witnessing the depth of scholarship, collaboration, and passion that shaped this book has been both inspiring and rewarding. I am confident that this work will become an instant best seller and an invaluable resource for clinicians, educators, and researchers alike – advancing understanding and elevating practice in the management of head and neck pain.’
The Head and Neck: Theory and Practice
ISBN: 9781805010593
Publisher: Handspring
Price: £75
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