User:Jon Ford



Name[edit | edit source]

Jon Ford

About Me[edit | edit source]

Dr. Jon Ford is a highly-accomplished Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience in physiotherapy and multi-disciplinary chronic pain management. As the director of STOPS Back Pain, Jon is a global expert in research on the most effective methods for treating back pain. Fulfilling professional roles that span across the fields of clinical research, practical application and educating physiotherapists, Jon also serves as the Director for Knowledge and Learning Solutions International (KALSI), group leader for the Low Back Research Team at La Trobe University, and the Clinical Director for LifeCare Health. A bright mind in the science and business of back pain, Jon covers the full spectrum of what a health professional expert.


Jon’s love for the craft of successfully treating people began in 1981 when he participated as an elite athlete in the Junior World Kayaking Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria – an experience where he learned the value of exercise and conditioning in health. Personally suffering from back pain as a student for 3 years inspired Jon to explore and learn about strategies for self-management. After completing his under-graduate physiotherapy qualification, Jon went on to obtain a Masters in Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy) in 2000 and his PhD (on the classification of low back pain) in 2005. Whilst undertaking his academic studies, Jon simultaneously established a profitable and admirable track-record as a business man within the LifeCare group. Having now dedicated his entire adult life to the continual study and practice in physiotherapy, Jon has over 20 impressive years experience being hands-on with patients.


A leader who strives for perfection, Jon invests his time into treating patients, conducting clinical research (including clinical trials), and educating physiotherapists on the art of successfully treating back pain. Leading an internationally regarded research team, Jon directs his research towards uncovering the most effective, patient focused treatments for low back pain. Believing in the development of self-management skills that empower patients to eliminate dependence on practitioners, Jon educates patients on both the cause and solution for their back pain.


Jon uses his clinical research expertise in the treatment of his own patients and in educating other physiotherapists worldwide. Through a combination of high quality research, clinical experience and practitioner education, Jon’s mission of optimizing outcomes worldwide for patients with back pain is achieved.


“Back pain can be a debilitating and frustrating experience,” said Jon, “Teaching physiotherapists how to get outstanding clinical outcomes and raise the quality of life of their patients is the most critical component of my work – simply because it helps the greatest amount of people. All my professional endeavors follow the principle of quality, kindness, and service.”


As a visionary man who remains in continual connection with other leaders in the field of physiotherapy, Jon is a regular speaker at international conferences and workshops on back pain. Jon has published a long line of peer reviewed papers on low back pain including: Classification Systems for Low Back Pain, Pathoanatomy and Classification of Low Back Disorders and Complexity and the Management of Back Pain.


Outside of his professional career Jon is a dedicated parent, surfer, guitar player and surf lifesaver.

Education[edit | edit source]

PhD - University of Melbourne 2005

MPhysio (Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy) - University of Melbourne 2000

Cred MDT - 1999

BAppSc(Physio) - La Trobe University 1988

Professional Affiliations[edit | edit source]

Australian Physiotherapy Association

Spine Society of Australia

International Association for the Study of Pain

Professional Appointments[edit | edit source]

Add any professional appointments here, for example if you site on the board of any professional bodies or clinical interest groups.

Publications[edit | edit source]

Ford, J. J., S. E. Bower, I. Ford, M. M. de Mello, S. R. Carneiro, A. P. Balasundaram and A. J. Hahne (2020). "Effects of specific muscle activation for low back pain on activity limitation, pain, work participation, or recurrence: A systematic review." Musculoskeletal Science and Practice 50: 102276. (Impact Factor 1.911 – June 2019)

Ford, J. J., Kaddour, O., Gonzales, M., Page, P., & Hahne, A. J. (2020). Clinical features as predictors of histologically confirmed inflammation in patients with lumbar disc herniation with associated radiculopathy. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 21(1), 567. doi:10.1186/s12891-020-03590-x (Impact Factor 2.002 – June 2018)

Teychenne, M., Miller, C., Ford, J., Hahne, A., Main, L., Rantalainen, T., . . . Belavy, D. (2020). Randomized Trial of General Strength and Conditioning Versus Motor Control and Manual Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain on Physical and Self-Report Outcome. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9, 1726. (Impact Factor 5.583 – June 2018)

Ford, J. J., Kaddour, O., Page, P., Richards, M. C., McMeeken, J. M., & Hahne, A. J. (2020). A multivariate prognostic model for pain and activity limitation in people undergoing lumbar discectomy. British Journal of Neurosurgery, 1-7. doi:10.1080/02688697.2020.1742288 (Impact Factor 1.481 – June 2018)

Owen, P. J., Miller, C. T., Rantalainen, T., Simson, K. J., Connell, D., Hahne, A. J., . . . Belavy, D. L. (2020). Exercise for the intervertebral disc: a 6-month randomised controlled trial in chronic low back pain. European Spine Journal. doi:10.1007/s00586-020-06379-7 (Impact Factor 1.368 – June 2018)

Ford J, Hahne A, Surkitt L, Chan A, Richards M. The Evolving Case Supporting Individualised Physiotherapy for Low Back Pain. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2019;8(9). (Impact Factor 5.583 – June 2018)

Teychennel, M, Lamb, K.E, Main, L, Miller, C, Hahne, A, Ford, J, Rosenbaum, S, Belavy, D (2019).  General strength and conditioning versus motor control with manual therapy for improving depressive symptoms in chronic low back pain: a randomised feasibility trial.  PLOS ONE (Impact Factor 2.776 – June 2018)

Ford, J. J., Slater, S. L., Richards, M. C., Surkitt, L. D., Chan, A. Y. P., Taylor, N. F., & Hahne, A. J. (2018). Individualised manual therapy plus guideline-based advice versus advice alone for people with clinical features of lumbar zygapophyseal joint pain: A randomised controlled trial. Physiotherapy. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2018.07.008 (Impact Factor 2.534 – June 2018)

Ford, J. J., Hahne, A. J., Surkitt, L. D., Chan, A. Y. P., Richards, M. C., Slater, S. L., . . . Taylor, N. F. (2018). STOPS trial versus Costa et al: a more accurate analysis. Br J Sports Med. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-098821 (Impact Factor 7.867 – July 2018)

Ford, J. J., Richards, M. C., Surkitt, L. D., Chan, A. Y. P., Slater, S. L., Taylor, N. F., & Hahne, A. J. (2018). Development of a Multivariate Prognostic Model for Pain and Activity Limitation in People With Low Back Disorders Receiving Physiotherapy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2018.04.026

Warby, S. A., Ford, J. J., Hahne, A. J., Watson, L., Balster, S., Lenssen, R., & Pizzari, T. (2018). Comparison of 2 Exercise Rehabilitation Programs for Multidirectional Instability of the Glenohumeral Joint: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Sports Med, 46(1), 87-97. doi:10.1177/0363546517734508. (Impact Factor – 5.673 – July 2017)

Simson, K. J., Miller, C. T., Ford, J., Hahne, A., Main, L., Rantalainen, T., . . . Belavy, D. L. (2017). Optimising conservative management of chronic low back pain: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials, 18(1), 184. doi:10.1186/s13063-017-1913-8

Chan, A. Y., Ford, J. J., Surkitt, L. D., Richards, M. C., Slater, S. L., Davidson, M., & Hahne, A. J. (2016). Individualised functional restoration plus guideline-based advice vs advice alone for non-reducible discogenic low back pain: a randomised controlled trial. Physiotherapy. doi:10.1016/j.physio.2016.08.001

Warby, S. A., Watson, L., Ford, J. J., Hahne, A. J., & Pizzari, T. (2017). Multidirectional instability of the glenohumeral joint: Etiology, classification, assessment, and management. J Hand Ther, 30(2), 175-181. doi:10.1016/j.jht.2017.03.005

Hahne, A. J., Ford, J. J., Richards, M. C., Surkitt, L. D., Chan, A. Y., Slater, S. L., & Taylor, N. F. (2017). Who Benefits Most from Individualized Physiotherapy or Advice for Low Back Disorders? A Pre-Planned Effect Modifier Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). doi:10.1097/brs.0000000000002148

Hahne, A. J., Ford, J. J., Surkitt, L. D., Richards, M. C., Chan, A. Y., Slater, S. L., & Taylor, N. F. (2017). Individualized Physical Therapy Is Cost-Effective Compared With Guideline-Based Advice for People With Low Back Disorders. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 42(3), E169-E176. doi:10.1097/BRS.0000000000001734

Hahne, A. J., Ford, J. J., Hinman, R. S., Richards, M. C., Surkitt, L. D., Chan, A. Y., . . . Taylor, N. F. (2017). Individualized functional restoration as an adjunct to advice for lumbar disc herniation with associated radiculopathy. A preplanned subgroup analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Spine J, 17(3), 346-359. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2016.10.004

Surkitt, L. D., Ford, J. J., Chan, A. Y. P., Richards, M. C., Slater, S. L., Pizzari, T., & Hahne, A. J. (2016). Effects of individualised directional preference management versus advice for reducible discogenic pain: A pre-planned secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Manual Therapy, 25, 69-80. doi:10.1016/j.math.2016.06.002

Warby, S. A., Ford, J. J., Hahne, A. J., Watson, L., Balster, S., Lenssen, R., & Pizzari, T. (2016). Effect of exercise-based management on multidirectional instability of the glenohumeral joint: a pilot randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open, 6(9), e013083. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013083

Ford, J. J., Hahne, A. J., Surkitt, L. D., Chan, A. Y., Richards, M. C., Slater, S. L., . . . Taylor, N. F. (2015). Individualised physiotherapy as an adjunct to guideline-based advice for low back disorders in primary care: a randomised controlled trial. Br J Sports Med. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-095058. (Impact Factor 7.867 – July 2018)

Freitag, J., Ford, J., Bates, D., Boyd, R., Hahne, A., Wang, Y., . . . Shah, K. (2015). Adipose derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy in the treatment of isolated knee chondral lesions: design of a randomised controlled pilot study comparing arthroscopic microfracture versus arthroscopic microfracture combined with postoperative mesenchymal stem cell injections. BMJ Open, 5(12). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009332. (Impact Factor 2.271 – December 2014)

Warby, S. A., Pizzari, T., Ford, J. J., Hahne, A. J., & Watson, L. (2016). Exercise-based management versus surgery for multidirectional instability of the glenohumeral joint: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med, 50(18), 1115-1123. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2015-094970. (Impact Factor 5.025 – December 2014)

Warby, S. A., Pizzari, T., Ford, J. J., Hahne, A. J., & Watson, L. (2014). The effect of exercise-based management for multidirectional instability of the glenohumeral joint: a systematic review. J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 23(1), 128-142. doi:10.1016/j.jse.2013.08.006. (Impact Factor 2.69 – December 2014)

Chan, A. Y., Ford, J. J., McMeeken, J. M., & Wilde, V. E. (2013). Preliminary evidence for the features of non-reducible discogenic low back pain: survey of an international physiotherapy expert panel with the Delphi technique. Physiotherapy, 99, 212-220. doi:10.1016/j.physio.2012.09.007. (Impact Factor 1.57 – July 2013)

Ford, J. J., & Hahne, A. J. (2013a). Complexity in the physiotherapy management of low back disorders: clinical and research implications. Manual Therapy, 18, 438–442. doi:10.1016/j.math.2013.01.007. (Impact Factor 2.24 – July 2013)

Ford, J. J., & Hahne, A. J. (2013b). Pathoanatomy and classification of low back disorders. Manual Therapy, 18(2), 165-168. doi:10.1016/j.math.2012.05.007. (Impact Factor 2.24 – July 2013)

Ford, J. J., Hahne, A. J., Chan, A. Y. P., & Surkitt, L. D. (2012). A classification and treatment protocol for low back disorders. Part 3: functional restoration for intervertebral disc related disorders. Phys Ther Rev, 17(1), 55-75.

Ford, J. J., Richards, M. J., & Hahne, A. J. (2012). A classification and treatment protocol for low back disorders. Part 4: functional restoration for low back disorders associated with multifactorial persistent pain. Phys Ther Rev, 17(5), 322-334.

Slater, S. L., Ford, J. J., Richards, M. C., Taylor, N. F., Surkitt, L. D., & Hahne, A. J. (2012). The effectiveness of sub-group specific manual therapy for low back pain: a systematic review. Manual Therapy, 17(3), 201-212. doi:10.1016/j.math.2012.01.006

Surkitt, L. D., Ford, J. J., Hahne, A. J., Pizzari, T., & McMeeken, J. M. (2012). Efficacy of directional preference management for low back pain: a systematic review. Physical Therapy, 92(5), 652-665. doi:10.2522/ptj.20100251. (Impact Factor 2.78 – July 2013).

Richards, M. C., Ford, J. J., Slater, S. L., Hahne, A. J., Surkitt, L. D., Davidson, M., & McMeeken, J. M. (2012). The effectiveness of physiotherapy functional restoration for post-acute low back pain: a systematic review. Manual Therapy, 18(1), 4-25. doi:10.1016/j.math.2012.06.005. (Impact Factor 2.24 – July 2013)

Ford, J. J., Surkitt, L. D., & Hahne, A. J. (2011). A classification and treatment protocol for low back disorders. Part 2: directional preference management for reducible discogenic pain. Phys Ther Rev, 16(6), 423-437.

Ford, J. J., Thompson, S. L., & Hahne, A. J. (2011). A classification and treatment protocol for low back disorders. Part 1: specific manual therapy. Phys Ther Rev, 16(3), 168-177.

Hahne, A., Ford, J. J., Hinman, R., Taylor, N. F., Surkitt, L., Walters, A., & McMeeken, J. (2010). Outcomes and adverse events from physiotherapy functional restoration for lumbar disc herniation with associated radiculopathy. Disability and Rehabilitation, Early Online, 1-11. (Impact Factor 1.54 – July 2013).

Hahne, A. J., Ford, J. J., Surkitt, L. D., Richards, M. C., Chan, A. Y., Thompson, S. L., . . . Taylor, N. F. (2011). Specific treatment of problems of the spine (STOPS): design of a randomised controlled trial comparing specific physiotherapy versus advice for people with subacute low back disorders. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 12, 104. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-12-104. (Impact Factor 1.89 – July 2013)

Hahne, A. J., Ford, J. J., & McMeeken, J. M. (2010). Conservative management of lumbar disc herniation with associated radiculopathy: a systematic review. Spine, 35(11), E488-E504 (Impact Factor 2.16 – July 2013).

Ford, J., Story, I., & McMeeken, J. (2009). The test retest reliability and concurrent validity of the Subjective Complaints Questionnaire for low back pain. Manual Therapy, 14 283-291.

Stanhope M and Ford JJ.  Practical implementation of treatment guidelines in a workers’ compensation environment: A new approach.  The Journal of the International Association of Industrial Accidents Boards and Commissions 2008;45:207-223.

Heymans, M., Ford, J., McMeeken, J., Chan, A., de Vet, H., & van Mechelen, W. (2007). Exploring the contribution of patient-reported and clinician based variables for the prediction of low back work status. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 17, 383–397 (IF 1.644)

Wilde, V., Ford, J., & McMeeken, J. (2007). Indicators of lumbar zygapophyseal joint pain: survey of an expert panel with the Delphi Technique. Physical Therapy, 87(10), 1348–1361.

Ford, J., Story, I., O’Sullivan, P., & McMeeken, J. (2007). Classification systems for low back pain: a review of the methodology for development and validation. Physical Therapy Reviews, 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, J. (2006). Functional restoration for a chronic lumbar disk extrusion with associated radiculopathy. Physical Therapy, 86(12), 1668-1680.

Ford, J., & Bennell, K. (2000). Effectiveness of a physiotherapy functional restoration programme compared to patient-selected treatment on chronic compensable low back pain Moving in on occupational injury. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Websites[edit | edit source]

www.stops.physio

www.advancehealthcare.com.au

Contact Details[edit | edit source]

[email protected]


This User is a member of the Musculoskeletal / Orthopaedic group This User is a member of the Pain group