Dr Zhiqi Liang
Lecturer
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
+61 7 344 36006
Researcher biography
Zhiqi Liang is a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and Lecturer at the University of Queensland, where she teaches on the Master of Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) Program and holds a clinical role at the University of Queensland Physiotherapy Headache Clinic. Her research focuses on the mechanisms of neck pain in headache — particularly migraine — and on identifying treatment directions, including patient preferences, for individualised management.
In 2024, Zhiqi was awarded the David Lamb Award by the International Federation of Manual and Musculoskeletal Physical Therapists (IFOMPT), recognising high-quality research that has made an international impact on musculoskeletal physiotherapy. She is a founding member of the Physiotherapy Special Interest Group within the International Headache Society, where she helps lead international research on physiotherapy management of headache and the development of headache curricula for physiotherapists.
With more than 20 years of clinical experience, Zhiqi's expertise is recognised through Fellowship of the Australian College of Physiotherapists. She remains actively involved in the College as an examiner and facilitator for the Specialisation Training Program and currently serves on the Board of Censors.
Journal Articles
Luedtke, Kerstin, Jull, Gwendolen, Bevilaqua-Grossi, Debora and Liang, Zhiqi (2026). How do headache-specialised physiotherapists treat patients with migraine, tension-type, cervicogenic or temporomandibular-associated headaches – an online survey of the IHS Physiotherapy Special Interest Group. Cephalalgia Reports, 9 25158163261469090. doi: 10.1177/25158163261469090
Pensri, Chalomjai, Liang, Zhiqi, Treleaven, Julia, Jull, Gwendolen, Thomas, Lucy and Schweitzer, Daniel (2026). Cervical musculoskeletal function is variable in tension‐type headache: a cluster analysis. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain, 66 (7) head.70121, 1548-1562. doi: 10.1111/head.70121
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
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 and Manipulative Therapy, 34 (4), 377-389. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2026.2643712
Castaldo, Matteo and Liang, Zhiqi (2026). Individualized physiotherapy management in migraine patients: a case series. Cephalalgia Reports, 9. doi: 10.1177/25158163251414038
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Treleaven, Julia, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen and Liang, Zhiqi (2023). Letter to the Editor. Clinical Rehabilitation, 37 (12), 026921552311807-1718. doi: 10.1177/02692155231180718
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
Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen and Treleaven, Julia (2022). The Neck Disability Index reflects allodynia and headache disability but not cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction in migraine. Physical Therapy, 102 (5) pzac027. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac027
Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen and Treleaven, Julia (2021). Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine. Archives of Physiotherapy, 11 (1) 27, 27. doi: 10.1186/s40945-021-00123-0
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
Dinsdale, Alana, Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2021). Is jaw muscle activity impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 48 (4), 487-516. doi: 10.1111/joor.13139
Dinsdale, Alana, Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2020). Are jaw range of motion, muscle function and proprioception impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 47 (11), 1448-1478. doi: 10.1111/joor.13090
Liang, Zhiqi, Galea, Olivia, Thomas, Lucy, Jull, Gwendolen and Treleaven, Julia (2019). Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine and tension type headache: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Musculoskeletal Science and Practice, 42, 67-83. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2019.04.007
Liang, Zhiqi, Clark, Ross, Bryant, Adam, Quek, June and Pua, Yong Hao (2014). Neck musculature fatigue affects specific frequency bands of postural dynamics during quiet standing. Gait and Posture, 39 (1), 397-403. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2013.08.007
Pua, Yong-Hao, Clark, Ross A., Ong, Peck-Hoon, Bryant, Adam L., Lo, Ngai-Nung and Liang, Zhiqi (2013). Association between seated postural control and gait speed in knee osteoarthritis. Gait and Posture, 37 (3), 413-418. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2012.08.014
Pua, Yong-Hao, Liang, Zhiqi, Ong, Peck-Hoon, Bryant, Adam L., Lo, Ngai-Nung and Clark, Ross A. (2011). Associations of knee extensor strength and standing balance with physical function in knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis Care and Research, 63 (12), 1706-1714. doi: 10.1002/acr.20615
Conference Papers
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.
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.
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.
Dinsdale, Alana, Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2020). Are jaw range of motion, muscle function and proprioception impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders?. UQ Postgraduate Research Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 4 December 2020.
Dinsdale, Alana, Liang, Zhiqi, Thomas, Lucy and Treleaven, Julia (2020). Is jaw muscle activity impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders?. UQ Postgraduate Research Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 4 December 2020.
Thesis
Liang, Zhiqi (2021). The nature of neck pain in migraine. PhD Thesis, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/67752e6