Sarah is a senior physiotherapist at Back to Your Feet Physiotherapy Ltd and a Careway provider. She graduated from the University of Otago in 2010 and completed her PhD at the University of Melbourne
in 2016. Sarah’s PhD focused on understanding why individuals have persisting quadriceps weakness after knee surgery, with a particular focus on the role of the brain and the link to movement patterns following Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction.
Sarah specialises in lower limb musculoskeletal physiotherapy, with a particular focus on ACL injuries. Although her background is grounded in biomechanics, Sarah takes a holistic approach to working with patients, considering the multiple dimensions that can contribute to injury presentations. Sarah has a strong focus on exercise rehabilitation and education to help facilitate rehabilitation and return to sport.
When not working, Sarah is a keen triathlete and has represented New Zealand at age-group world champs. Sarah is also an avid trail runner and recent convert to ultra-marathons.
Sarah has worked as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist in NZ, Australia, and the UK. She has
a clinical and research interest in lower limb function and how this function (or dysfunction) can impact performance in sport. Sarah has worked with a range of athletes including triathletes, runners, rowers, and field sports across all levels of competition.
Some highlights include:
University of Auckland Football Team, FISU World Cup, Jinjiang China 2023
New Zealand Age Group Triathlon Team, World Championships, Lausanne Switzerland 2019
West Auckland Admirals, NZIHL 2011 – 2012
New Zealand Ice Blacks, Division III World Championships, Dunedin NZ 2009
New Zealand Universities Rowing Team, Trans-Tasman Regatta, Lake Hayes NZ 2010
Dunedin Thunder, NZIHL 2009 – 2010
As well as her work here at Back to Your Feet Physiotherapy LtD, Sarah is a Lecturer in
Physiotherapy at the University of Auckland. She is on the Education Committee of Sport
and Exercise Physiotherapy New Zealand (SEPNZ).
Professional Affiliations
Physiotherapy New Zealand Member(PNZ)
Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy Member (SEPNZ)
Sports Medicine Australia (SMA)
Football Medicine & Performance Association (FMPA)
Therapist Qualifications
Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Postgraduate Diploma in Exercise Rehabilitation
FIFA Football Medicine Diploma
PhD
Selected Publications
Butcher, A., Ward, S., Clissold, T., Richards, J., & Hebert-Losier, K. (2024). Maturation and
biomechanical risk factors associated with anterior cruciate ligament injury: Is there a link?
A systematic review. Physical Therapy in Sport, 68, 31-50.
Wong, B., Ward, D., Gemmell, K., Bright, R., Blackman, R., Sole, G., & Ward, S. (2020). How is
telehealth being utilized in the context of rehabilitation for lower limb musculoskeletal
disorders: a scoping review. Physical Therapy Reviews. DOI: 10.1080/10833196.2020.1832712.
Neilson, V., Ward, S., Hume, P., Lewis, G., & McDaid, A. (2019). Effects of augmented
feedback on training jump landing tasks for ACL injury prevention: A systematic review and
meta-analysis. Physical Therapy in Sport, 39, 126-135.
Ward, S.H, Perraton, L., Bennell, K., Pietrosimone, B., & Bryant, A.L. (2019). Deficits in
quadriceps force control following anterior cruciate ligament injury - potential central
mechanisms. Journal of Athletic Training, 54(5), 505-512.
Johnson A.P., Ward, S., & Simmons, J. (2019). The lower limb assessment score: A valid
measure of hypermobility in elite football? Physical Therapy in Sport, 37, 86-90.
Ward, S.H, Blackburn, J.T., Padua, D.A., Stanley, L.E., Harkey, M.S., Luc, B.A., & Pietrosimone,
B. (2018). Quadriceps neuromuscular function and jump landing sagittal plane knee
biomechanics following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Journal of Athletic Training,
53(2), 135-143.View details »
