Zhiqi Liang

Dr Zhiqi Liang is a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of Queensland's School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney, a Master's (Coursework) in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland. With more than 15 years of clinical experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, she teaches on the Master of Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) Program and maintains a clinical role at the University of Queensland Headache Clinic. Her clinical expertise is recognized through Fellowship of the Australian College of Physiotherapists, where she serves as an examiner and facilitator for the Specialisation Training Program and as a member of the Board of Censors.

Liang's research focuses on neck pain and headache, particularly migraine, examining mechanisms of neck pain in headache conditions, cervical musculoskeletal impairments, sensitisation, patient preferences, and directions for individualised physiotherapy management. Key publications include "Individualised physiotherapy assessment and management of migraine: the role of cervical sensitisation and musculoskeletal disorder" (2025, Musculoskeletal Science and Practice), "Patients’ Expectations and Experiences of Physiotherapy Management of Migraine" (2025), "Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine and tension-type headache and relationship to pain related factors: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis" (2025), "Subgrouping individuals with migraine associated neck pain for targeted management" (2023), "The temporal behaviour of migraine related neck pain does not inform on the origin of neck pain: an observational study" (2022), "Neck pain associated with migraine does not necessarily reflect cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction" (2021, Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain), and her PhD thesis "The nature of neck pain in migraine" (2021). In 2024, she was awarded the David Lamb Award by the International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists Incorporated for high-quality research impacting musculoskeletal physiotherapy internationally. Her scholarly contributions enhance clinical understanding and treatment of headache-related neck pain disorders.