Overview
Background
Zhiqi Liang is a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the University of Queensland. She teaches on the Master of Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) Program and maintains a clinical role at the Headache Clinic in the University of Queensland. Her research is on neck pain and headache, especially migraine, exploring mechanisms of neck pain in headache and treatment directions, including patient preferences, for individualised management. In 2024, she was awarded the David Lamb Award by the International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists Incorporated (IFOMPT) for high quality research that has made an impact to musculoskeletal physiotherapy internationally. Zhiqi has been a musculoskeletal physiotherapist for more than 15 years and her clinical expertise is recognised by Fellowship within the Australian College of Physiotherapists, where she has been actively involved as an examiner and facilitator for the Specialisation Training Program and currently serves on the Board of Censors.
Availability
- Dr Zhiqi Liang is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy, University of Sydney
- Masters (Coursework) of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Migraine
Subgrouping for individualised management to optimise outcomes. Examining the use of physiotherapy interventions in migraine including neck treatments, exercise prescription, patient empowerment and modifiable contributing factors to migraine. Understanding the influence of migraine sensitisation on symptoms, physical assessment and management. When and how physiotherapy interventions fit in with other pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of migraine? Patient education for migraine
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Physiotherapy management of headache
Subgrouping, mixed headaches, multidisciplinary intervention, patient perspectives
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Neck pain in headaches
Mechanisms and treatment directions.
Works
Search Professor Zhiqi Liang’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
Active trigger points are common but not universal with tension-type headache: Pain features rather than musculoskeletal function may explain why
Pensri, Chalomjai, Liang, Zhiqi, Treleaven, Julia, Jull, Gwendolen and Thomas, Lucy (2026). Active trigger points are common but not universal with tension-type headache: Pain features rather than musculoskeletal function may explain why. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 82 103530, 103530. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2026.103530
2026
Journal Article
The effect of targeted upper cervical musculoskeletal management on the frequency and burden of migraine headache in adults – a single cohort pilot study
Farmer, Peter, Treleaven, Julia, Liang, Zhiqi, Stamatiou, Nick and Thomas, Lucy (2026). The effect of targeted upper cervical musculoskeletal management on the frequency and burden of migraine headache in adults – a single cohort pilot study. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 1-13. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2026.2643712
2026
Journal Article
Individualized physiotherapy management in migraine patients: A case series
Castaldo, Matteo and Liang, Zhiqi (2026). Individualized physiotherapy management in migraine patients: A case series. Cephalalgia Reports, 9 25158163251414038. doi: 10.1177/25158163251414038
2025
Journal Article
Current and future advances in practice: cervical spondylosis and mechanical neck pain
Jull, Gwendolen, Thomas, Lucy, Liang, Zhiqi and Treleaven, Julia (2025). Current and future advances in practice: cervical spondylosis and mechanical neck pain. Rheumatology Advances in Practice, 9 (4) rkaf127, 1-15. doi: 10.1093/rap/rkaf127
2025
Conference Publication
Patient perspectives on physiotherapy interventions for migraine: a pre- and post-intervention qualitative study
Liang, Zhiqi, Scott, Caitlin, Manrique, Felix Cabrera, Kim, Sumin, Lee, Chun Shun, Cheng, Bixiang, Kwok, Chun Yiu and Castaldo, Matteo (2025). Patient perspectives on physiotherapy interventions for migraine: a pre- and post-intervention qualitative study. 22nd International Headache Congress, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 11-14 September 2025. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications.
2025
Journal Article
Individualised physiotherapy assessment and management of migraine: the role of cervical sensitisation and musculoskeletal disorder
Liang, Zhiqi and Castaldo, Matteo (2025). Individualised physiotherapy assessment and management of migraine: the role of cervical sensitisation and musculoskeletal disorder. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 80 103439, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103439
2025
Conference Publication
Novel self-applied tests for patients to track sensory sensitivity changes across their migraine cycle: a pilot study
Liang, Zhiqi, Kaur, Gurveen, Lok, Rachael, Treleaven, Julia and Thomas, Lucy (2025). Novel self-applied tests for patients to track sensory sensitivity changes across their migraine cycle: a pilot study. 22nd International Headache Congress, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 11-14 September 2025. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications.
2025
Journal Article
Patients’ expectations and experiences of physiotherapy management of migraine
Kelley, Samantha, Treleaven, Julia, Thomas, Lucy and Liang, Zhiqi (2025). Patients’ expectations and experiences of physiotherapy management of migraine. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 80 103418, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103418
2025
Conference Publication
What patients want: a qualitative study on an information resource on migraine
Liang, Zhiqi, Williams, Gina, Watson, Shayne, Haynes, Caitlyn, Diamond, Zoe and Castaldo, Matteo (2025). What patients want: a qualitative study on an information resource on migraine. 22nd International Headache Congress, Sao Paulo, Brazil, 11-14 September 2025. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications.
2025
Journal Article
Lesser-known patient-reported symptoms arising from the upper cervical spine – a scoping review
Papinniemi, Amy, Thomas, Lucy, Liang, Zhiqi and Treleaven, Julia (2025). Lesser-known patient-reported symptoms arising from the upper cervical spine – a scoping review. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 78 103369. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103369
2025
Journal Article
The International Headache Society welcomes a physiotherapy special interest group
Luedtke, Kerstin, Liang, Zhiqi, Bevilaqua-Grossi, Debora and Jull, Gwendolen (2025). The International Headache Society welcomes a physiotherapy special interest group. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 76 103281, 1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2025.103281
2025
Journal Article
Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine and tension-type headache and relationship to pain related factors: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Pensri, Chalomjai, Liang, Zhiqi, Treleaven, Julia, Jull, Gwendolen and Thomas, Lucy (2025). Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine and tension-type headache and relationship to pain related factors: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 76 103251, 103251-76. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.103251
2025
Journal Article
Physiotherapy Committee of Brazilian Headache Society is represented in the Physiotherapy Specialist Interest Group
Grossi, Debora Bevilaqua, Oliveira, Daniella Araújo de, Jull, Gwendolen, Liang, Zhiqi and Luedtke, Kerstin (2025). Physiotherapy Committee of Brazilian Headache Society is represented in the Physiotherapy Specialist Interest Group. Headache Medicine, 16 (1), 1-2. doi: 10.48208/headachemed.2025.1
2025
Journal Article
A physical therapy specialist interest group in the International Headache Society be in on its creation!
Jull, Gwendolen, Luedtke, Kerstin, Bevilaqua-Grossi, Debora and Liang, Zhiqi (2025). A physical therapy specialist interest group in the International Headache Society be in on its creation!. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 33 (2), 1-2. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2025.2470501
2025
Journal Article
Exploring the relationship between brain neurochemistry, cervical impairments and pain sensitivity in people with migraine, whiplash-headache, low back pain and healthy controls: a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional case-control study
Peek, Aimie L., Liang, Zhiqi, Treleaven, Julia and Rebbeck, Trudy (2025). Exploring the relationship between brain neurochemistry, cervical impairments and pain sensitivity in people with migraine, whiplash-headache, low back pain and healthy controls: a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional case-control study. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14 (5) 1510, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/jcm14051510
2023
Journal Article
Individual perceptions on the relationship between migraine and neck pain
Schulz, Michael, Xu, Wenrui, Treleaven, Julia, Thomas, Lucy and Liang, Zhiqi (2023). Individual perceptions on the relationship between migraine and neck pain. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 66 102812, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102812
2023
Journal Article
Subgrouping individuals with migraine associated neck pain for targeted management
Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen and Treleaven, Julia (2023). Subgrouping individuals with migraine associated neck pain for targeted management. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 66 102801, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102801
2023
Journal Article
Special issue: headache and neck pain
Luedtke, Kerstin, Bevilaqua-Grossi, Debora, Liang, Zhiqi and Jull, Gwendolen (2023). Special issue: headache and neck pain. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 66 102807, 1-1. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102807
2023
Journal Article
Letter to the Editor
Treleaven, Julia, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen and Liang, Zhiqi (2023). Letter to the Editor. Clinical Rehabilitation, 37 (12), 026921552311807-1718. doi: 10.1177/02692155231180718
2022
Journal Article
The temporal behaviour of migraine related neck pain does not inform on the origin of neck pain: an observational study
Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen and Treleaven, Julia (2022). The temporal behaviour of migraine related neck pain does not inform on the origin of neck pain: an observational study. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 58 102522, 102522. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2022.102522
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Zhiqi Liang is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Migraine sensitisation: a potential role for self management and personalised medicine?
Hypersensitivity to various sorts of sensory stimuli is the hallmark of migraine. As patients cycle through the different phases of migraine, sensitivity levels fluctuate and is linked with more severe symtomatic presentations when present at high levels frequently. Simple ways to allow patients to track their own pattern of sensitivities and fluctuations may help them self-manage their condition but may also aid titration of pharmacological interventions such as when to increase or taper off dosage of prophylactic medications. This project will be suitable for someone with a clinical or biomedical background with an interest in sensitisation and or migraine.
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Cervical musculoskeletal disorder in migraine: a longitudinal study
Neck pain is prevalent in migraine and can be a symptom or a trigger of migraine, or simply comorbid. Our research has demonstrated that a subgroup of patients with migraine and neck pain have cervical musculoskeletal disorder whereas the others do not. What is unknown is how the presence of a cervical disorder interacts with migraine symptoms over time and whether it may be a predictor of migraine progression or regression. It is also unknown if the presence of neck pain or cervical disorder changes treatment seeking behaviours over time and has any impact on pharmacological management of migraine. This project will be suitable for a physiotherapist with some clinical experience and interest in neck disorders and headache.
Media
Enquiries
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