For more than two decades, Professor Michele Sterling has been at the forefront of pain research, reshaping how physiotherapists understand musculoskeletal injury, chronic pain and recovery after whiplash injury. Michele was recently named in The Australian’s top 250 researchers of 2026 and is the leading researcher in the area of pain and pain management. 

The International Association for the Study of Pain named 2026 as the Global Year for Neuropathic Pain. Zoë Harper, Karri Field and Cameron Dickson of the APA Pain national group present five discussion points about this condition.

PERSISTENT PAIN The combined role of the nervous system and the immune system as a contributor to persistent pain is slowly being worked out by researchers. Physiotherapy researcher Dr Scott Farrell talks about new avenues for investigation.

Journal of Physiotherapy’s Editorial Fellowship gave Dr Tash Pocovi skills, confidence and a new lens on research. With expressions of interest now open, she explains why physiotherapists should apply.

Recent qualitative research has explored some of the barriers to accessing allied health interventions for people with Parkinson’s disease.

The upcoming issue of the Journal spans prevention, rehabilitation, implementation and workforce reform. Scientific editor Mark Elkins provides a summary of the content.

RESEARCH FOCUS Cuevas Medek Exercises are an increasingly popular paediatric therapy for children with disability but a recent review has shown that little evidence exists to support their use.

Associate Professor Mark Merolli considers what every physiotherapist needs to do to prepare for rapidly developing healthcare technology.

As digital technologies continue to develop and their use becomes more widespread in healthcare, the ability of physiotherapists to adapt for the future is paramount. Here, based on their popular session at APASC25 in Adelaide last October, Mark Merolli, Leo Ng and Trevor Russell offer insights into the power and potential of digital health technology in clinical practice.

Ben Onofrio of the APA Musculoskeletal national group presents five discussion points about the diagnosis, treatment and management of frozen shoulder.