Deborah Falla

Professor Deborah Falla is Chair in Rehabilitation Science and Physiotherapy at the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK. She also serves as Director of the Centre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine) and leads the Rehabilitation & Motor Control Theme. Her research focuses on neuromuscular control in musculoskeletal conditions, particularly spinal pain.

• BPhty (First Class Honors), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Queensland, Australia
• PhD, Department of Physiotherapy, University of Queensland, Australia

Her research interests span rehabilitation science, musculoskeletal physiotherapy, neuromuscular control, spinal pain management, neck and low back pain, whiplash, headache, muscle fatigue, and motor adaptations to pain. She uses advanced electrophysiological and biomechanical methods to understand movement control in pain states. Her work integrates clinical application with translational research, aiming to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based interventions.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in chronic pain mechanisms, movement variability, neuromuscular adaptations, and rehabilitation technologies. Her studies frequently employ high-density EMG, motion analysis, and systematic review methodologies to explore conditions like neck pain, low back pain, and temporomandibular disorders. There is a clear emphasis on classification of patient subgroups, prediction of pain recurrence, and evaluation of exercise and movement-based interventions.

Her scientific recognitions include:

• Fellow of the International Society of Electrophysiology and Kinesiology (ISEK)
• German Pain Research Prize
• George J. Davies - James A. Gould Excellence in Clinical Inquiry Award
• Delsys Prize for Electromyography Innovation

Professor Falla has secured research funding from major bodies such as the MRC, NIHR, UK Space Agency, Royal Society, and charities including Versus Arthritis and DEBRA UK. She supervises doctoral students and has delivered over 250 postgraduate workshops globally. She is actively involved in academic leadership as Editor-in-Chief of Musculoskeletal Science & Practice and Associate Editor of several journals. She previously held professorial positions at Aalborg University (Denmark) and University Hospital Göttingen (Germany), and has served as President of ISEK (2016–2018).

She leads a vibrant research team at CPR Spine, focusing on precision rehabilitation for spinal pain, with ongoing projects in movement analysis, exercise interventions, and digital health applications in rehabilitation.