
Overview
Background
Lucy Thomas is a Senior Lecturer and researcher in the Discipline of Physiotherapy at the University of Queensland. She is also a registered practicing Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist with postgraduate qualifications (Grad Dip App Sc (Manipulative Physiotherapy) from the University of Sydney and holds an honorary physiotherapy position at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
Particular research interests include:
- The safety of manual treatment of the neck and recognition of red flag conditions in patients presenting with headache and neck pain.
- Evaluation of the role of the neck in disorders such as headache and dizziness.
- Validating simple screening tools for the cervical region for use in clinical practice.
- Optimising the management of cervical spine disorders.
Lucy completed her Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Newcastle in 2013, with thesis entitled ' Minimising risk factors for cervical spine manipulation'. She holds a Master of Medical Science from the University of Newcastle 'Validity of the Doppler velocimeter as a pre-manipulative screening tool for vertebral artery flow'. Her doctoral research focussed on investigating risk factors and clinical presentation of patients presenting with craniocervical arterial dissection, as well as examining blood flow changes in the cervical arteries with head movement.
Lucy has been an invited speaker at international and national conferences and invited to deliver webinars, lectures and workshops both nationally and internationally to present her research findings in the areas of safe practice, evaluation and management of the cervical spine. She has published her research in peer reviewed journals and contributed chapters to two textbooks on cervical spine management. She teaches extensively into the undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy programs and supervises several doctoral students.
Availability
- Dr Lucy Thomas is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Masters (Research), University of Newcastle
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Newcastle
Research interests
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Cervical arterial dissection
This is a common cause of stroke in young to middle aged people and has been linked to neck manipulation. My research is to validate a simple diagnostic support tool to help clinicians recognise this serious pathology.
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Differential diagnosis of headache, neck pain and dizziness
My research aims to identify musculoskeletal impairments in headache, neck pain and dizziness to better direct targeted management.
Research impacts
Dr Thomas's research has had particular impact in the area of safety in management of the cervical spine. She led the development of the 'Clinical guide to safe manual therapy practice in the cervical spine' published on the webpage of the Australian Physiotherapy Association www.physiotherapy.asn.au/cervicalspine .This includes simple infographic style documents which assist clinicians in busy clinical practice how to recognise relevant vascular disorders in the neck and what action to take. It also provides guidance on safe practice. The site is visible outside the organisation to all and has wide uptake both within Australia and internationally.
Works
Search Professor Lucy Thomas’s works on UQ eSpace
Featured
2021
Journal Article
Neck pain associated with migraine does not necessarily reflect cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction
Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen, Minto, Joanne, Zareie, Hossein and Treleaven, Julia (2021). Neck pain associated with migraine does not necessarily reflect cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 61 (6), 882-894. doi: 10.1111/head.14136
Featured
2020
Journal Article
Should we abandon positional testing for vertebrobasilar insufficiency?
Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2020). Should we abandon positional testing for vertebrobasilar insufficiency?. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 46 102095, 102095. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2019.102095
Featured
2018
Journal Article
Shear wave elastography of the cervical arteries: a novel approach to the assessment of cervical arterial wall stiffness. An investigation of psychometric properties and intra-rater reliability
Thomas, Lucy, Low, Juanita, Chan, Kalos and Durbridge, Gail (2018). Shear wave elastography of the cervical arteries: a novel approach to the assessment of cervical arterial wall stiffness. An investigation of psychometric properties and intra-rater reliability. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 40, 96-100. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2018.09.008
Featured
2015
Journal Article
Cervical arterial dissection: an overview and implications for manipulative therapy practice
Thomas, Lucy C. (2015). Cervical arterial dissection: an overview and implications for manipulative therapy practice. Manual Therapy, 21, 2-9. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2015.07.008
Featured
2015
Journal Article
Risk factors and clinical presentation of cervical arterial dissection: preliminary results of a prospective case-control study
Thomas, Lucy C., Rivett, Darren A., Attia, John R. and Levi, Christopher (2015). Risk factors and clinical presentation of cervical arterial dissection: preliminary results of a prospective case-control study. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 45 (7), 503-511. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5877
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
Serious adverse events associated with conservative physical procedures directed towards the cervical spine: a systematic review
Leung, Bryden, Treleaven, Julia, Dinsdale, Alana, Marsh, Linda and Thomas, Lucy (2025). Serious adverse events associated with conservative physical procedures directed towards the cervical spine: a systematic review. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 41, 56-77. doi: 10.1016/j.jbmt.2024.10.018
2024
Journal Article
Validation of a diagnostic support tool for early recognition of cervical arterial dissection in primary care
Thomas, L., Fowler, M., Marsh, L., Chu, K., Muller, Claire and Wong, A. (2024). Validation of a diagnostic support tool for early recognition of cervical arterial dissection in primary care. Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 247 108627, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2024.108627
2024
Journal Article
Factors associated with patient-reported mouth opening activity limitations in individuals with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders: a cross-sectional study exploring physical and self-reported outcomes
Dinsdale, Alana, Thomas, Lucy, Forbes, Roma and Treleaven, Julia (2024). Factors associated with patient-reported mouth opening activity limitations in individuals with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders: a cross-sectional study exploring physical and self-reported outcomes. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 73 103166, 103166-73. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2024.103166
2024
Conference Publication
More than just opening: myriad of local musculoskeletal impairments associated with temporomandibular disorders
Dinsdale, Alana, Thomas, Lucy, Forbes, Roma and Treleaven, Julia (2024). More than just opening: myriad of local musculoskeletal impairments associated with temporomandibular disorders. Australian and New Zealand Academy of Orofacial Pain, Sydney, NSW Australia, 13-14 September 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Management experiences and expectations of individuals seeking care for intra-articular TMDs
Dinsdale, Alana, Forbes, Roma, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2024). Management experiences and expectations of individuals seeking care for intra-articular TMDs. Australian and New Zealand Academy of Orofacial Pain, Sydney, NSW Australia, 13-14 September 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Is proprioception affected in those with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders? A cross-sectional study exploring joint position sense and force sense of the jaw
Dinsdale, Alana, Thomas, Lucy, Forbes, Roma and Treleaven, Julia (2024). Is proprioception affected in those with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders? A cross-sectional study exploring joint position sense and force sense of the jaw. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 69 102904, 102904. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102904
2024
Journal Article
Validation of a modified-composite autonomic symptom score (COMPASS-31) as an outcome measure for persistent autonomic symptoms post-concussion: an observational pilot study
Hammerle, Matt H., Lu, Lisa H., Thomas, Lucy C., Swan, Alicia A. and Treleaven, Julia M. (2024). Validation of a modified-composite autonomic symptom score (COMPASS-31) as an outcome measure for persistent autonomic symptoms post-concussion: an observational pilot study. Brain Injury, 38 (11), 896-901. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2024.2355588
2023
Conference Publication
Management experiences, needs and preferences of adults with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders
Dinsdale, Alana, Forbes, Roma, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2023). Management experiences, needs and preferences of adults with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders. IGNITE: Australian Physiotherapy Association conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 5-7 October 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
“What if it doesn't unlock?”: a qualitative study into the lived experiences of adults with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders
Dinsdale, Alana, Forbes, Roma, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2023). “What if it doesn't unlock?”: a qualitative study into the lived experiences of adults with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders. IGNITE: Australian Physiotherapy Association conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 5-7 October 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Development of a diagnostic support tool for predicting cervical arterial dissection in primary care
Thomas, Lucy Caroline, Holliday, Elizabeth, Attia, John R. and Levi, Christopher (2023). Development of a diagnostic support tool for predicting cervical arterial dissection in primary care. Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy, 32 (2), 173-181. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2023.2250164
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
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
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
2023
Journal Article
Do intra-articular temporomandibular disorders show an association between physical bite function, self-perceived bite limitation and kinesiophobia? A case-control study
Dinsdale, Alana, Thomas, Lucy, Forbes, Roma and Treleaven, Julia (2023). Do intra-articular temporomandibular disorders show an association between physical bite function, self-perceived bite limitation and kinesiophobia? A case-control study. Musculoskeletal Science & Practice, 65 102756, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2023.102756
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Lucy Thomas is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Musculoskeletal and sensorimotor signs in Vestibular migraine
This project will look at the role of the neck in vestibular migraine examining a battery of musculoskeletal and sensorimotor assessments in people with a diagnosis of vestibular migraine, towards the development of more targeted management approaches.
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Sensitisation in migraine and tension type headache
This project will invesitgate quantitative sensory measures- both static and dynamic, in people with migraine and/or tension type headache. The findings of the study will guide the development of more targeted advice and education strategies as well as treatment options in the management of those living with this type of chronic headache condition.
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Differential diagnosis of dizziness
This project will investigate clinical measures to assist in the differential diagnosis of dizziness in order to help identify causes such as vestibular, cervicogenic and vascular causes eg vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI)
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Relationship between sleep and cervical spine disorders
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Julia Treleaven
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Master Philosophy
Serious adverse events associated with conservative physical procedures directed towards the cervical spine
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Julia Treleaven
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Doctor Philosophy
Neck pain in tension type headache and exploring cervical musculoskeletal and sensory features
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Julia Treleaven, Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull
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Master Philosophy
Recognizing clinical features which may lead to adverse clinical outcomes in Cervical musculoskeletal (MSK) management
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Julia Treleaven
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Doctor Philosophy
Clinical features (self-reported and cervical spine musculoskeletal (MSK) impairments) in patients with suspected upper cervical hypermobility.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Julia Treleaven
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring disability and management in adults with persistent mechanical temporomandibular disorders
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Julia Treleaven, Dr Roma Forbes
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
A biopsychosocial approach to understanding neck pain among sonographers
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Brooke Coombes
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
The Nature of Neck Pain in Migraine
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Gwendolen Jull, Associate Professor Julia Treleaven
Media
Enquiries
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