Research, Publications & Articles

LJ’s first degree was in chemistry, so science has always been an interest. In recent years LJ honed her research skills and was challenged to grow and learn while completing her PhD at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, with Professor Paul Hodges and Assoc. Professor Dr. Michel Coppieters (Centre for Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health).

While the approach that LJ uses in the clinic involves assessing the whole body, the idea to pursue a PhD on the thorax evolved out of discussions with Paul Hodges and the great need for scientific evidence in this area. LJ had also developed novel clinical approaches to assessing and treating the thorax and wanted to contribute to the science that would provide a better understanding of the effectiveness of the clinical approach.

Body of Science on the Thorax

Given the limited body of science on the thorax, LJ’s PhD focused on establishing motor control and kinematics of the thorax in normal, pain-free function. As White (1969) said in his study on the biomechanics of the thoracic spine, “Accurate reliable information about the normal is generally the basis if not the prerequisite for progress in the understanding and treatment of the abnormal.” The list below includes articles and conference proceedings for presentations that were published or presented as part of LJ’s PhD research.

LJ speaks at conferences world-wide, and has published her research and clinical ideas in a variety of peer-reviewed journals, books and professional publications. These publications are also listed below.

Publications

The Thoracic Ring Approach™: A Whole Person Framework to Assess and Treat the Thoracic Spine and Rib cage.

Lee LJ 2015 In Magee et al. Pathology and Intervention in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 2e, Elsevier, pgs. 436-470.

Thoracic Ring Control: A Missing Link?

Lee LJ. MPA In Touch magazine, an official publication of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia, a national group of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Issue 4, 2013: 13-16.
Download

The Thoracic Ring Approach – A New View of the Thorax.

Lee LJ. In Touch journal, an official publication of Physio First, the Journal for Physiotherapists in Private Practice (UK). No. 145, Winter 2013: 28-35.
Download

Clinical Practice – The Reality for Clinicians

Lee LJ, Lee DG In Lee, DG: The Pelvic Girdle. Elsevier 2011, pgs. 255-282.
Download

Science & Clinical Practice – what do we need to know, how do we know what we know, and what can and can’t science tell us about how to treat our patients?

Lee LJ. Knowledge, In Press Summer 2011, In Touch journal, an official publication of Physio First, the Journal for Physiotherapists in Private Practice (UK).
Download

En bloc control of deep and superficial thoracic muscles in sagittal loading and unloading of the trunk.

Lee LJ, Coppieters MW, Hodges PW. Gait & Posture, 2011; epub ahead of print.

The Pelvic Girdle, 4th edition.

Lee DG, Lee LJ (major contributor). Elsevier, 2011.

Changes in sitting posture induce multiplanar changes in chest wall shape and motion with breathing.

Lee LJ, Chang AT, Coppieters MW, Hodges PW. Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology, 2010; 170:236-245.

An Integrated Multimodal Approach to the Thoracic Spine and Ribs.

Lee LJ, Lee DG. In: Magee et al: Pathology and Intervention in Musculoskeletal Intervention, Elsevier, 2008

Is it time for a closer look at the thorax.

Lee LJ. MPA In Touch magazine, an official publication of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia, a national group of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Issue 1, 2008: 13-16.
Download

Anticipatory postural adjustments to arm movement reveal complex control of paraspinal muscles in the thorax.

Lee LJ, Coppieters M, Hodges PW. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2007 epub ahead of print.

Is it possible to be too stable?

Lee, LJ. Orthopaedic Division Review, an official publication of the Orthopaedic Division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. Nov/Dec, 2006 edition:19-23.
Download

A clinical test for failed load transfer in the upper quadrant.

Lee LJ. Proceedings: 2005 Orthopaedic Symposium of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association (CPA).

Differential activation of the thoracic multifidus and longissimus thoracis during trunk rotation.

Lee LJ, Coppieters M, Hodges PW, 2005. Spine 30(8):870-876.

Thoracic multifidus and longissimus muscle activity during voluntary arm movements.

Lee LJ, Coppieters M, Hodges PW, 2004. Proceedings: 2004 Orthopaedic Symposium CPA.

Differential activation of the thoracic multifidus and longissimus thoracis during trunk rotation.

Lee LJ, Coppieters M, Hodges PW, 2004. Proceedings of the 8th International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists’ Conference. Cape Town, South Africa.

Treating the lumbopelvic-hip dysfunction; Lee DG, Lee LJ. Diagnosing the lumbopelvic-hip dysfunction.

Lee LJ, Lee DG 2004. In Lee, DG: The Pelvic Girdle, 3rd edn. Churchill Livingstone.

Restoring force closure/motor control of the thorax.

Lee LJ 2003 In Lee, DG: The thorax – an integrated approach. Diane G. Lee Physiotherapist Corporation, Surrey, Canada, pgs. 104-135.

An integrated multimodal approach for the treatment of pelvic girdle pain and dysfunction.

Lee DG, Lee LJ 2008 In: Magee et al. Pathology and Intervention in Musculoskeletal Intervention, Elsevier.

Stability, continence and breathing: The role of the fascia following pregnancy and delivery.

Lee DG, Lee LJ, McLaughlin L 2008 Journal of Bodywork & Movement Therapies 12:333-348.

Bridging the Gap: The role of the pelvic floor in musculoskeletal and urogynecological function.

Lee D, Lee LJ. In: Proceedings from the 15th International Congress of The World Confederation for Physical Therapy. Vancouver, BC, Canada: 2007, Abstract 448, 93(S1):S26.

Postpartum Health for Moms – Restoring Form & Function after Pregnancy, 2nd edition.

Lee DG, Lee LJ, 2006 An Educational Package on CDROM, www.discoverphysio.ca

Stress Urinary Incontinence – A consequence of failed load transfer through the pelvis?

Lee DG, Lee LJ, 2004. In: Proceedings from the 5th interdisciplinary world congress on low back and pelvic pain. Melbourne, Australia, p. 138.

Past Presentations