Dr Jon Ford PhD, M Physio, B App Sc (Phty)
Dr Jon Ford is the head of The University of Melbourne, Low Back Pain Research Team at The School of Physiotherapy. Jon’s teaching and research focus is identifying homogenous subgroups of low back pain based on pathoanatomical and psychosocial dimensions.
Currently his research team of eight higher degree students is working on the development of sophisticated treatment algorithms specific to five different subgroups.
Jon is also a partner and clinician in the LifeCare network of physiotherapy private practices which enables a high level of collaboration between clinicians and researchers. The LifeCare network is also able to provide funding and logistical assistance for recruitment of research participants and the provision of treatment.
Jon is a member of the Spine Society of Australia and the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA). He is involved in the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching program lecturing in the areas of clinical reasoning, occupational health, exercise prescription, manipulative therapy and evidence-based practice.
Contact details:
Telephone: +613 8344 4171
Facsimile: +613 8344 4188
Email form: click to contact
Teaching Responsibilities:
Undergraduate and Postgraduate lectures
Field of Expertise:
Low back pain, classification, diagnosis, specific treatment, functional restoration, manual therapy
Research Interests:
Efficacy of specific physiotherapy on low back pain, classification of low back pain
Community Association:
Member of the Spine Society of Australia
Member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association
Selected Publications:
Heymans MW, Ford JJ, de Vet HCW, McMeeken JM, Chan A, van Mechelen W. Exploring the contribution of self reported and clinical variables for the prediction of low back problem work status following physiotherapy functional restoration. Accepted for publication in Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation.
Wilde V, Ford JJ, McMeeken JM. Indicators of lumbar zygapophyseal joint pain: surveying of an expert panel using the Delphi Technique. Accepted for publication in Physical Therapy
Ford JJ, Story I, O’Sullivan P, McMeeken JM. Classification systems for low back pain: A review of the methodology for development and validation. Physical Therapy Reviews 2007;12:33-42.
Stanhope M, Ford JJ. The critical role of evidence-based decision support systems to deliver the intended benefits of treatment guidelines in workers’ compensation. The Journal of the International Association of Industrial Accidents Boards and Commissions 2006; Autumn:35-60.
Ford JJ. Pathological and psychosocial considerations in massage of the lumbar spine. Journal of the Australian Association Massage Therapists 2007;Spring: 14-18.
Hahne A, Ford JJ. Functional restoration for a chronic lumbar disc extrusion with associated radiculopathy. Physical Therapy 2006;86:1668 –1680.
Academic Qualifications:
2003 Doctor of Philosophy
University of Melbourne
1999 Masters of Physiotherapy
University of Melbourne
Coursework in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and minor thesis
1996 Credentialed McKenzie Practitioner
1988 Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy)
Lincoln School of Health Sciences, La Trobe University