Managing Director,
Associate Professor of Physiotherapy, Specialist Pain and Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
FACP, PhD, MPhysio, BAppSc(Physio), CredMDT
Clinic: Dandenong
In the early 90s whilst lecturing at The University of Melbourne Jon began developing evidence-based treatment models for people with back pain. He subsequently established Spinal Management Clinics (part of the LifeCare group) which became one of the leading providers of physiotherapy and multi-disciplinary pain management programs in Australia. In 2014 to enable a greater focus on improving clinical quality and research, Jon with the practitioners below, purchased and rebranded the clinics as Advance Healthcare.
Jon graduated as a physiotherapist in 1988 and then completed his Credentialing in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy in 1999, his Musculoskeletal Masters in 2000, his PhD on the classification of low back pain in 2005 and in 2018 graduated in the first ever cohort of Pain Specialists (as a Fellow of the College of Physiotherapists). This demonstrates Jon’s passion for lifelong learning in order to help practitioners and patients achieve their potential.
Jon's clinical and research interest is the individualised treatment of musculoskeletal pain (with a focus on low back pain). He continues his academic work leading the Low Back Pain Research Team at La Trobe University where he has published over 60 peer reviewed journal articles. His academic work provides a constant source of evidence-based knowledge that is integrated into the Advance Healthcare treatment programs. He is also the Team Leader of the Dandenong multi-disciplinary Pain Management program.
Jon speaks fluent German.
Research Outcomes and Impact
Johnson, K., Owen, P. J., Tagliarerri, S., Van Oosterwijck, J., Fitzgibbon, B., Ford, J., Belavy, D., Miller, C. (2023). The Interaction Between Psychosocial Factors and Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia in Pain-Free Nurses. J Pain Res, 16, 529-541. doi:10.2147/JPR.S386440
Shraim, M. A., K. A. Sluka, M. Sterling, L. Arendt-Nielsen, C. Argoff, K. S. Bagraith, R. Baron, H. Brisby, D. B. Carr, R. L. Chimenti, C. A. Courtney, M. Curatolo, B. D. Darnall, J. J. Ford, T. Graven-Nielsen, M. C. Kolski, E. Kosek, R. E. Liebano, S. L. Merkle, R. Parker, F. J. J. Reis, K. Smart, R. J. E. M. Smeets, P. Svensson, B. L. Thompson, R.-D. Treede, T. Ushida, O. D. Williamson and P. W. Hodges (2022). "Features and methods to discriminate between mechanism-based categories of pain experienced in the musculoskeletal system: a Delphi expert consensus study." PAIN. (Impact Factor 6.961 – June 2020)
Liew, B. X. W., J. J. Ford, G. Briganti and A. J. Hahne (2022). "Understanding how individualised physiotherapy or advice altered different elements of disability for people with low back pain using network analysis." PLOS ONE 17(2): e0263574. (Impact Factor 3.24 – June 2020)
Owen, P. J., L. C. Main, C. T. Miller, J. J. Ford, A. J. Hahne and D. L. Belavy (2022). "Protection motivation theory screening tool for predicting chronic low back pain rehabilitation adherence: analysis of a randomised controlled trial." BMJ Open 12(2). (Impact Factor 2.692 – June 2020)
Belavy, D. L., C. T. Miller, P. J. Owen, T. Rantalainen, D. Connell, A. J. Hahne, J. J. Ford and G. Trudel (2022). "Exercise may impact on lumbar vertebrae marrow adipose tissue: Randomised controlled trial." Bone: 116338. (Impact Factor 4.398 – June 2021)
Belavy, D. L., A. D. Diwan, J. Ford, C. T. Miller, A. J. Hahne, N. Mundell, S. Tagliaferri, S. Bowe, H. Pedder, T. Saueressig, X. Zhao, X. Chen, A. P. Balasundaram, N. K. Arora and P. J. Owen (2021). "Network meta-analysis for comparative effectiveness of treatments for chronic low back pain disorders: systematic review protocol." BMJ Open 11(11). (Impact Factor 2.692 – June 2020)
Liew, B. X. W., J. J. Ford, M. Scutari and A. J. Hahne (2021). "How does individualised physiotherapy work for people with low back pain? A Bayesian Network analysis using randomised controlled trial data." PLoS One 16(10): e0258515. (Impact Factor 3.24 – June 2020)
Rich, A., J. L. Cook, A. J. Hahne, E. K. Rio and J. Ford (2021). "Randomised, cross-over trial on the effect of isotonic and isometric exercise on pain and strength in proximal hamstring tendinopathy: trial protocol." BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine 7(1): e000954. (Impact Factor 1.510 - January 2020)
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. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 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. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 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. The American Journal of Sports Medicine, 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. Journal of Hand Therapy, 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. The Spine Journal, 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. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 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. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 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. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, 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. Physical Therapy Reviews, 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. Physical Therapy Reviews, 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. Physical Therapy Reviews, 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. Physical Therapy Reviews, 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 Musculoskeletal Disorders, 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.