Overview
Background
Michele Sterling is a NHMRC Leadership Fellow (leadership level 2), Professor in the Recover Injury Research Centre, Program Lead of the Musculoskeletal Injury research program and Director of the NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in Better Health Outcomes for Compensable Injury. She is a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and a Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. She is internationally recognised for her research on whiplash-associated disorders. Michele’s research focusses on the mechanisms underlying the development of chronic pain after injury, predictive algorithms for outcomes and developing effective interventions for musculoskeletal injury and pain. She has received over $50M in research funding from the NHMRC, MRFF, ARC and industry partners, including 7 NHMRC project grants, and 2 Centres of Research Excellence. Michele holds editorial roles with several leading journals and textbooks, including being a Section Editor of PAIN and co-editors of the 4th and 5th editions of the seminal physiotherapy textbook 'Grieve's Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy). Michele has published over 325 scientific works and has received numerous awards for her research including the Research Australia Research Translation award in 2023. Examples of recognition as a national and international leader in the field include:
2024- Secretary of the Executive Council - International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
2022-2024 Chair Scientific Program Committee World Pain Congress, Amsterdam 2024
2023-2027 NHMRC Leadership Fellow (Level 2) for research of road traffic injury.
2023 Research Australia Research Translation award
2016-2022 Council member International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)
Availability
- Professor Michele Sterling is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Postgraduate Diploma, Curtin University of Technology
- Masters (Coursework), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy of Physiotherapy, The University of Queensland
Research impacts
Professor Sterling’s research program on the discovery of novel prognostic indicators and treatments to improve recovery led transformational change in clinical practice and compensation systems. Based on seminal research on the phenotyping of whiplash over many years, CI Sterling developed and tested the StressModex intervention for acute whiplash. StressModex is recommended by Australian Guidelines for management of Acute Whiplash (2024), is included in the physiotherapy curriculum at Australian universities and has been adapted for use internationally (e.g. Denmark). It has been taken up by insurance stakeholders (Suncorp, Allianz) resulting in improve health outcomes for injured people. To enhance translation of research, CI Sterling, in partnership with MAIC, SIRA and Allianz, co-led the establishment of MyWhiplashNavigator, a one-stop on-line resource for people with whiplash injury, training opportunities for health care providers and insurers. Sterling’s strong collaboration with key industry and government regulators in 5 states, peak professional bodies and consumers informed 2 NHMRC CRE’s [CIA] which have translated prognostic and RCT data into practice and policy via education (>2000 participants, >25 countries). CI Sterling’s research has improved management of musculoskeletal injury worldwide, cited in Clinical & Medico-legal Guidelines that are endorsed by > 10 international peak bodies and was used by the UK House of Commons Recommendations to avert escalating costs associated with fraudulent whiplash claims. Subsequently, the UK govt. established an on-line educational platform based on CI Sterling’s research to accredit medical examiners in evidence-based assessment.
Works
Search Professor Michele Sterling’s works on UQ eSpace
2009
Journal Article
Bring back the biopsychosocial model for neck pain disorders
Jull, Gwendolen and Sterling, Michele (2009). Bring back the biopsychosocial model for neck pain disorders. Manual Therapy, 14 (2), 117-118. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2009.01.004
2009
Conference Publication
Characterization of acute and chronic whiplash-associated disorders
Elliott, J., Noteboom, JT, Flynn, T.W. and Sterling, M. (2009). Characterization of acute and chronic whiplash-associated disorders. United State of America: American Physical Therapy Association, Orthopaedic and Sports. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2009.2826
2009
Conference Publication
Neck pain: Much more than a psychosocial condition
Sterling, Michele (2009). Neck pain: Much more than a psychosocial condition. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2009.0113
2009
Journal Article
Neck Pain: Much more than a psychosocial condition
Sterling, M. (2009). Neck Pain: Much more than a psychosocial condition. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 39 (5), 309-311. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2009.0113
2009
Journal Article
Pruebas para la detección de hipersensibilidad sensorial o hiperexcitabilidad central asociada al dolor cervical
Sterling, Michele (2009). Pruebas para la detección de hipersensibilidad sensorial o hiperexcitabilidad central asociada al dolor cervical. Osteopatía Científica, 4 (1), 20-25. doi: 10.1016/s1886-9297(09)70745-3
2009
Journal Article
Sensory hypoaesthesia is a feature of chronic whiplash but not chronic idiopathic neck pain
Chien , Andy and Sterling, Michele (2009). Sensory hypoaesthesia is a feature of chronic whiplash but not chronic idiopathic neck pain. Manual Therapy, 15 (1), 48-53. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2009.05.012
2009
Journal Article
A neuropathic pain component is common in acute whiplash and associated with a more complex clinical presentation
Sterling, M.M. and Pedler, A. (2009). A neuropathic pain component is common in acute whiplash and associated with a more complex clinical presentation. Manual Therapy, 14 (2), 173-179. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2008.01.009
2009
Journal Article
hypoaesthesia occurs with sensory hypersensitivity in chronic whiplash - further evidence of a neuropathic condition
Chien, A., Eliav, E. and Sterling, M.M. (2009). hypoaesthesia occurs with sensory hypersensitivity in chronic whiplash - further evidence of a neuropathic condition. Manual Therapy, 14 (2), 138-146. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2007.12.004
2009
Book Chapter
Pain, Transportation Issues and Whiplash
Sterling, Michele M. (2009). Pain, Transportation Issues and Whiplash. Biobehavioural Approaches to Pain. (pp. 447-471) edited by Moore, Rhonda J.. USA: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-0-387-78323-9_18
2009
Journal Article
Physical and psychological aspects of whiplash: Important considerations for primary care assessment Part 2 - Case Studies
Sterling, M. (2009). Physical and psychological aspects of whiplash: Important considerations for primary care assessment Part 2 - Case Studies. Manual Therapy, 14 (1), e8-e12. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2008.03.004
2008
Book
Clinical guidelines for best practice management of acute and chronic whiplash-associated disorders
TRACsa: Trauma and Injury Recovery and Sterling, Michele (2008). Clinical guidelines for best practice management of acute and chronic whiplash-associated disorders. Adelaide, Australia: South Australian Centre for Trauma and Injury Recovery (TRACsa).
2008
Journal Article
Testing for sensory hypersensitivity or central hyperexcitability associated with cervical spine pain
Sterling, Michele (2008). Testing for sensory hypersensitivity or central hyperexcitability associated with cervical spine pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 31 (7), 534-539. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.08.002
2008
Journal Article
Whiplash (Grade II)and cervical radiculopathy share a similar sensory presentation: an investigation using quantitative sensory testing
Chien, Andy B., Eliav, Eli and Sterling, Michele (2008). Whiplash (Grade II)and cervical radiculopathy share a similar sensory presentation: an investigation using quantitative sensory testing. Clinical Journal of Pain, 24 (7), 595-603. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31816ed4fc
2008
Journal Article
Digitally tender points: their significance in physiotherapy
Lewis, Cynan, Sterling, Michele and Souvlis, Tina (2008). Digitally tender points: their significance in physiotherapy. Physical Therapy Reviews, 13 (3), 188-196. doi: 10.1179/174328808X252109
2008
Journal Article
Fatty infiltrate in the cervical extensor muscles is not a feature of chronic insidious onset neck pain
Elliott, J., Sterling, M., Noteboom, J., Darnell, R., Galloway, G. and Jull, G. (2008). Fatty infiltrate in the cervical extensor muscles is not a feature of chronic insidious onset neck pain. Clinical Radiology, 63 (6), 681-687. doi: 10.1016/j.crad.2007.11.011
2008
Journal Article
Landers M, Creger R, Baker C, Stutelberg K. The use of fear-avoidance beliefs and non-organic signs in predicting prolonged disability in patients with neck pain. Manual Therapy 2007; doi:10.1016/j.math.2007.01.010
Sterling, Michele and Williamson, Owen D. (2008). Landers M, Creger R, Baker C, Stutelberg K. The use of fear-avoidance beliefs and non-organic signs in predicting prolonged disability in patients with neck pain. Manual Therapy 2007; doi:10.1016/j.math.2007.01.010. Manual Therapy, 13 (3), e1-e2. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2007.10.004
2008
Journal Article
Physical and psychological aspects of whiplash: Important considerations for primary care assessment
Sterling, Michele and Kenardy, Justin (2008). Physical and psychological aspects of whiplash: Important considerations for primary care assessment. Manual Therapy, 13 (2), 93-102. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2007.11.003
2008
Journal Article
Psychologic factors are related to some sensory pain thresholds but not nociceptive flexion reflex threshold in chronic whiplash
Sterling, Michele, Hodkinson, Emily, Pettiford, Catherine, Souvlis, Tina and Curatolo, Michele (2008). Psychologic factors are related to some sensory pain thresholds but not nociceptive flexion reflex threshold in chronic whiplash. Clinical Journal of Pain, 24 (2), 124-130. doi: 10.1097/AJP.0b013e31815ca293
2008
Journal Article
The Impact of Event Scale (IES)
Sterling, M.M. (2008). The Impact of Event Scale (IES). Australian Journal of Physiotherapy, 54 (2), 78-78. doi: 10.1016/S0004-9514(08)70074-6
2008
Journal Article
The Brachial Plexus Provocation Test
Stone, A and Sterling, M. M. (2008). The Brachial Plexus Provocation Test. Aust J Physiotherapy, 54 (2), 146-146. doi: 10.1016/S0004-9514(08)70053-9
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Michele Sterling is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Neurological factors underlying chronic pain after road traffic injury
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Scott Farrell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Early biopsychosocial intervention for people experiencing traumatic injuries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary, Dr Nigel Armfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Multidimensional recovery after road traffic injury.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nigel Armfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Psychologically informed physiotherapy for chronic pain after trauma.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rachel Elphinston
-
Doctor Philosophy
Early interventions to prevent chronic pain after road traffic injury
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Scott Farrell
-
Doctor Philosophy
Quantifying the public health burden of road traffic injury.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nigel Armfield
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhancing engagement in digital psychological interventions for patients with chronic non-cancer pain
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Rachel Elphinston
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
The Effectiveness and Nature of Psychological Interventions Delivered by Physiotherapists for Musculoskeletal Conditions
Principal Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Whiplash Associated Disorders: A Prospective Investigation of the Effects of Cervical Medial Branch Radiofrequency Neurotomy on Sensory, Motor and Psychological Features
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Whiplash-associated disorders: a cross-cultural comparison between Australia and Singapore
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
-
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Somatosensory disturbances following whiplash injury: Relationship with signs and symptoms in both acute and chronic whiplash associated disorders (WAD)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
-
2018
Master Philosophy
Are mechanical pain thresholds useful in defining symptoms of advanced knee osteoarthritis and predicting patient satisfaction following total knee replacement?
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shaun O'Leary
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Towards a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying lateral epicondylalgia and its management
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bill Vicenzino
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
An Investigation of the Relationship between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Chronic Pain due to Whiplash Injury.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Justin Kenardy
-
2009
Doctor Philosophy
Headache in the elderly: cervical musculoskeletal, sensory and psychological features
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Michele Sterling directly for media enquiries about:
- musculoskeletal pain
- phyiotherapy
- road traffic injury
- whiplash injury
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