Wesley Matthews

Biography

Dr Wes Matthews is a physiotherapist, academic, and researcher with extensive experience in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and a strong commitment to advancing clinical practice through research and education. With a Bachelor of Health Sciences (Physiotherapy) from Auckland University of Technology and a PhD from Bond University, Wes has cultivated a career that bridges clinical excellence, academic leadership, and research innovation. His professional journey spans senior physiotherapy roles across New South Wales and Queensland. Wes is passionate about mentoring clinicians, fostering critical thinking, and contributing to the evolution of physiotherapy through evidence-based approaches.

Research

Wes’s research focuses on the diagnosis and staging of Achilles tendinopathy, with a particular emphasis on the use of ultrasound imaging and the continuum model of tendon pathology. His work includes systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and the development of novel imaging criteria, published in leading journals such as BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, PeerJ, and Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology. He has presented his findings at international conferences, including the European Society of Skeletal Radiology. Wes’s broader research interests include musculoskeletal diagnostics, physiotherapy service optimisation, and the integration of imaging into clinical decision-making. He is an APA Titled Research Physiotherapist and a member of the Australian College of Physiotherapists.

Teaching

Wes is a lecturer in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy program at Southern Cross University, where he teaches Foundations of Physiotherapy, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, and Evidence-based Practice. He is dedicated to developing students’ skills in critical thinking and research literacy, preparing them to become reflective and evidence-informed practitioners.