Learning Zone

Laura Finucane is a consultant musculoskeletal physiotherapist specialising in spinal conditions. She has been a consultant since 2006 providing care for NHS patients. She clinically leads a number of interface services who deliver an orthopaedic triage service for patients with musculoskeletal conditions. Clinically she manages patients with back pain working closely with the spinal surgeon directly listing patients for surgical intervention when necessary. She provides clinical support to extended scope practitioners specialising in other areas of musculoskeletal conditions. Her role is to ensure clinicians maintain their competency and expertise to deliver the service. She has been involved in developing pathways of care both locally and nationally. She is affiliated to the University of Brighton as a fellow and is an external examiner and tutor for the masters course leading to membership to the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP). She is a clinical mentor to students on placement in clinical practice for a number of universities. Laura’s special interest is in serious pathologies of the spine and she has presented nationally and internationally. She has written a number of papers related to this subject and teaches at a postgraduate level. Laura completed her Masters in manipulative physiotherapy in 2002. She has written a number of chapters in ‘Neuromusculoskeletal Examination and Assessment’ and ‘Principles of Neuromusculoskeletal Treatment and Management’ edited by Petty. She is a reviewer for the Manual Therapy journal. She was a member of the Executive Committee for the MACP and the MO delegate for IFOMPT before stepping into the role as executive member of IFOMPT in October 2012.