Biography
Dr Karen McCreesh is an experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapy educator and clinician. Her research interests lie in the areas of shoulder dysfunction, musculoskeletal disorders, and ultrasound imaging. She completed her PhD in the area of mechanisms of rotator cuff tendinopathy, funded by a Research Fellowship from the Health Research Board of Ireland. She is Course Director and Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy at the School of Allied Health at the University of Limerick. She is a member of the Ageing Research Centre and the Health Research Institute. She has published widely in peer-reviewed journals, presented at national and international conferences, and provides CPD workshops for qualified physiotherapists. Karen co-ordinates a website to support and disseminate evidence based practice in the physiotherapy management of shoulder pain at www.shouldercommunity.com, and is a founder member and Chair of the Irish Shoulder and Elbow Rehabilitation Society (www.isesociety.com).
Research Interests
-shoulder pain and dysfunction
-musculoskeletal physiotherapy
-ultrasound imaging
Teaching Interests
Musculoskeletal physiotherapyCommunication Skills
Womens Health
Professional Activities
Education
- 2014 University of Limerick - PhD
- 2006 Coventry University - M.Sc. Manip Ther
- 1998 University College Dublin - B.Sc. Physiotherapy
Association
- 1998 Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists
Publications
Book
Practical Techniques of Physiotherapy Examination and Treatment (Vol 1-6)
Sexton, M; French, H; McCreesh, K; Walsh, J
Book Chapter
Principles of Joint Treatment
McCreesh K; O'Connor A
Principles of Neuromusculoskeletal Assessment and Treatment: A Handbook for Therapists.
Function and Dysfunction of Joint
O'Connor A; McCreesh K
Principles of Neuromusculoskeletal Assessment and Treatment: A Handbook for Therapists
Conference Publication
ER-WCPT 2nd European Congress on Physiotherapy Education
McCreesh K, Sainsbury D, O'Sullivan K
Conference of the International Federation for Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapists
Sainsbury D, McCreesh K, O¿Sullivan
Annual Conference of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists
Arthurs S, McCreesh K
World Congress of Physical Therapy
McCreesh K
Annual Conference of the Irish Sociaty of Chartered Physiotherapists
Caulfield S, Mccreesh K
Irish Society for Chartered Physiotherapists
McCreesh K, Green A
Other Publication
Clinical effectiveness of non-surgical interventions for primary frozen shoulder: A systematic review
Minns Lowe C.;Barrett E.;McCreesh K.;De Búrca N.;Lewis J.
Journal Of Rehabilitation Medicine
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-2578
How should clinicians integrate the findings of The Lancet's 2018 placebo-controlled subacromial decompression trial into clinical practice?
Littlewood, C;Bury, J;O'Shea, A;McCreesh, K;O'Sullivan, K
British journal of sports medicine
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-098900
Letter to the Editor regarding "Reliability and validity of non-radiographic methods of thoracic kyphosis measurement: A systematic review"
Barrett, E;McCreesh, K;Lewis, J
Manual therapy
DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2015.10.009
Effect of education on non-specific neck and low back pain: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Hurley, J;O'Keeffe, M;O'Sullivan, P;Ryan, C;McCreesh, K;O'Sullivan, K
Manual therapy
DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2016.02.009
Acromiohumeral distance measurement in rotator cuff tendinopathy: is there a reliable, clinically applicable method? A systematic review
McCreesh, KM,Crotty, JM,Lewis, JS
British journal of sports medicine
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-092063
INCREASED SUPRASPINATUS THICKNESS WITH REDUCED ACROMOHUMERAL DISTANCE IN PEOPLE WITH MILD AND MODERATE ROTATOR CUFF TENDINOPATHY: A RELIABILITY AND COMPARATIVE STUDY
Mccreesh, K,Anjum, S,Crotty, J,Lewis, J
Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases
Can Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Examination (MSUS) Predict Outcome In Shoulder Impingement Syndrome (SIS)? A Prospective Blinded Study
Khan, M,McCreesh, K,Saeed, A,Ahern, T,Fraser, AD
Arthritis And Rheumatism
CAN MUSCULOSKELETAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY EXAMINATION (MSUS) PREDICT OUTCOME IN SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME (SIS)? A PROSPECTIVE BLINDED STUDY
Khan, M,McCreesh, K,Saeed, A,Ahern, T,Fraser, A
Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases
THE INFLUENCE OF ABDOMINAL FAT ON BONE MINERAL DENSITY
Toomey, C,McCreesh, K,Jakeman, P
Journal Of Aging And Physical Activity
Peer Reviewed Journal
Rotator cuff disorders: A survey of current (2018) Italian physiotherapy practice
Brindisino F.;Matteuzzi I.;Bury J.;McCreesh K.;Littlewood C.
Physiotherapy Practice and Research
DOI: 10.3233/PPR-190141
Altered strength profile in Achilles tendinopathy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
McAuliffe S.;Tabuena A.;McCreesh K.;O’Keeffe M.;Hurley J.;Comyns T.;Purtill H.;O’Neill S.;O’Sullivan K.
Journal Of Athletic Training
DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-43-18
Exploring patient experiences of participating in a group exercise class for the management of nonspecific shoulder pain: A qualitative study
Barrett, E., Hayes, A., Kelleher, M., Conroy, C., Robinson, K., O'Sullivan, K. and McCreesh, K.,
Physiotherapy Theory And Practice
Exploring patient experiences of participating in a group exercise class for the management of nonspecific shoulder pain
Barrett, E;Hayes, A;Kelleher, M;Conroy, C;Robinson, K;O'Sullivan, K;McCreesh, K
Physiotherapy Theory And Practice
DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2017.1422208
An evaluation of two types of exercise classes, containing shoulder exercises or a combination of shoulder and thoracic exercises, for the treatment of nonspecific shoulder pain: A case series
Barrett, E;Conroy, C;Corcoran, M;Sullivan, KO;Purtill, H;Lewis, J;McCreesh, K
Journal Of Hand Therapy
DOI: 10.1016/j.jht.2017.10.011
Validation of the manual inclinometer and flexicurve for the measurement of thoracic kyphosis
Barrett, E,Lenehan, B,O'sullivan, K,Lewis, J,McCreesh, K
Physiotherapy Theory And Practice
DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2017.1394411
Cryotherapy or gradual reloading exercises in acute presentations of rotator cuff tendinopathy: A randomised controlled trial
Dupuis F.;Barrett E.;Dubé M.;McCreesh K.;Lewis J.;Roy J.
Bmj Open Sport And Exercise Medicine
DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2018-000477
Are group-based and individual physiotherapy exercise programmes equally effective for musculoskeletal conditions? A systematic review and meta-analysis
O'Keeffe M.;Hayes A.;McCreesh K.;Purtill H.;O'Sullivan K.
British journal of sports medicine
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095410
Are group-based and individual physiotherapy exercise programmes equally effective for musculoskeletal conditions? A systematic review and meta-analysis
O'Keeffe, M,Hayes, A,McCreesh, K,Purtill, H,O'Sullivan, K
British Journal Of Sports Medicine
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095410
Increased supraspinatus tendon thickness following fatigue loading in rotator cuff tendinopathy: Potential implications for exercise therapy
McCreesh K.;Purtill H.;Donnelly A.;Lewis J.
Bmj Open Sport And Exercise Medicine
DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2017-000279
Is thoracic spine posture associated with shoulder pain, range of motion and function? A systematic review
Barrett E.;O'Keeffe M.;O'Sullivan K.;Lewis J.;McCreesh K.
Manual therapy
DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2016.07.008
Shouldering the Burden of Evidence-Based Practice: The Experiences of Physiotherapists Partaking in a Community of Practice
McCreesh, K,Larkin, L,Lewis, J
Rehabilitation Research And Practice
DOI: 10.1155/2016/9051378
Is thoracic spine posture associated with shoulder pain, range of motion and function? A systematic review
Barrett E, O'Keeffe M, O'Sullivan K, Lewis J, McCreesh K.
Manual therapy
Ultrasound Measures of Supraspinatus Tendon Thickness and Acromiohumeral Distance in Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy Are Reliable
McCreesh, KM,Anjum, S,Crotty, JM,Lewis, JS
Journal Of Clinical Ultrasound
DOI: 10.1002/jcu.22318
The body composition phenotype of Irish adults aged 18â'81Â years
Toomey, C. and Leahy, S. and McCreesh, K. and Coote, S. and Jakeman, P.
Irish Journal of Medical Science
DOI: 10.1007/s11845-015-1338-x
Can ultrasound imaging predict the development of Achilles and patellar tendinopathy? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
McAuliffe, S., McCreesh, K., Purtill, H., Culloty, F., & O'sullivan, K.
British Journal Of Sports Medicine
Can ultrasound imaging predict the development of Achilles and patellar tendinopathy? A systematic review and meta-analysis
McAuliffe S.;McCreesh K.;Culloty F.;Purtill H.;O'Sullivan K.
British journal of sports medicine
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-096288
Acromiohumeral distance measurement in rotator cuff tendinopathy: is there a reliable, clinically applicable method?
McCreesh KM, Crotty JM, Lewis JS
British Journal Of Sports Medicine
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2012-092063
Rotator cuff tendinopathy: Navigating the diagnosis-management conundrum
Lewis J.;Mccreesh K.;Roy J.;Ginn K.
The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy
DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5941
Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: Navigating the Diagnosis-Management Conundrum
Lewis, J,Mccreesh, K,Roy, JS,Ginn, K
Journal Of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy
DOI: 10.2519/jospt.2015.5941
TO IDENTIFY INTRINSIC RISK FACTORS FOR GROIN/HIP INJURIES AMONG ACADEMY LEVEL RUGBY UNION PLAYERS: A PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY
Ryan J, McCreesh K, deBurca N
British Journal Of Sports Medicine
DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2014-093494.255
Acromio-clavicular joint cyst associated with a complete rotator cuff tear - A case report
McCreesh, KM,Riley, SJ,Crotty, JM
Manual therapy
DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2013.11.004
Platelet-rich plasma for chronic tennis elbow
O'Sullivan, K.;McCreesh, K.;De Burca, N.;McAuliffe, S.;O'Keeffe, M.;
The American journal of sports medicine
DOI: 10.1177/0363546513512784
Platelet-rich plasma for chronic tennis elbow: letters to the editor.
O'Sullivan K;McCreesh K;de Burca N;McAuliffe S;O'Keeffe M;
Development of an Anthropomorphic Shoulder Phantom Model That Simulates Bony Anatomy for Sonographic Measurement of the Acromiohumeral Distance
Adusumilli, P,McCreesh, K,Evans, T
Journal Of Ultrasound In Medicine
DOI: 10.7863/ultra.33.11.2011
Reliability and validity of non-radiographic methods of thoracic kyphosis measurement: A systematic review
Barrett, E,McCreesh, K,Lewis, J
Manual therapy
DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2013.09.003
Validation of Ultrasound Measurement of the Subacromial Space Using a Novel Shoulder Phantom Model
McCReesh K, Adusumilli P, Evans T, Riley S, Davies A, Lewis J
Ultrasound In Medicine And Biology
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2013.12.015
Risk factors for groin/hip injuries in field-based sports: a systematic review
Ryan J, deBurca N, McCreesh K
British Journal Of Sports Medicine
DOI: doi:10.1136/bjsports-2013-092263
Platelet-rich plasma for chronic tennis elbow: letters to the editor.
O'Sullivan K, McCreesh K, de Burca N, McAuliffe S, O'Keeffe M
The American journal of sports medicine
Reliability and validity of non-radiographic methods of thoracic kyphosis measurement: A systematic review
Barrett E, McCreesh K, Lewis J
Manual therapy
Acromio-clavicular joint cyst associated with a complete rotator cuff tear A case report
McCreesh K, Riley S, Crotty J
Manual Therapy
DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2013.11.004
Neovascularity in patellar tendinopathy and the response to eccentric training: A case report using Power Doppler ultrasound
McCreesh KM, Riley SJ, Crotty JM
Manual therapy
DOI: 10.1016/j.math.2012.09.001
Continuum model of tendon pathology - where are we now?
McCreesh, K,Lewis, J
International Journal Of Experimental Pathology
DOI: 10.1111/iep.12029
Continuum model of tendon pathology: Where are we now?
McCreesh K, Lewis J
International Journal Of Experimental Pathology
DOI: 10.1111/iep.12029
Intrarater and Interrater Reliability of the Flexicurve Index, Flexicurve Angle, and Manual Inclinometer for the Measurement of Thoracic Kyphosis
Eva Barrett;Karen McCreesh;Jeremy Lewis;
Rehabilitation Research And Practice
DOI: 10.1155/2013/475870
No difference in gluteus medius activation in women with mild patellofemoral pain
O'Sullivan K.;Herbert E.;Sainsbury D.;McCreesh K.;Clifford A.
Journal Of Sport Rehabilitation
DOI: 10.1123/jsr.21.2.110
No Difference in Gluteus Medius Activation in Women With Mild Patellofemoral Pain
O'Sullivan, K,Herbert, E,Sainsbury, D,McCreesh, K,Clifford, A
Journal Of Sport Rehabilitation
Ultrasound measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness accurately predicts total and segmental body fat of young adults
Leahy, S; Toomey, C; McCreesh, K; O'Neill, C; Jakeman, P
Ultrasound In Medicine And Biology
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2011.10.011
No difference in gluteus medius activation in women with mild patellofemoral pain
O'Sullivan, K.;Herbert, E.;Sainsbury, D.;McCreesh, K.;Clifford, A.;
Journal Of Sport Rehabilitation
Vehicle head restraint positioning knowledge and behaviours in a sample of Irish drivers
McCreesh, K,Arthurs, S,Horgan, S,Keane, L,Meagher, L
International journal of injury control and safety promotion
DOI: 10.1080/17457300.2011.628754
Ultrasound Measurement of Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Thickness Accurately Predicts Total and Segmental Body Fat of Young Adults
Leahy, S. and Toomey, C. and McCreesh, K. and O'Neill, C. and Jakeman, P.
Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2011.10.011
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (nsaids) and musculoskeletal conditions: Considerations for physiotherapy practice
O’Leary H.;McCreesh K.
Physiotherapy Practice and Research
DOI: 10.3233/PPR-2011-32207
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and musculoskeletal conditions: Considerations for physiotherapy practice
O'Leary H; McCreesh K
Physiotherapy Ireland
No deficit in hip isometric strength or concentric endurance in young females with mild patellofemoral pain
McMoreland, A; O'Sullivan, K; Sainsbury, D; Clifford, A; McCreesh, K
Isokinetics And Exercise Science
DOI: 10.3233/IES-2011-0405
Ultrasound measurement of the size of the anterior tibial muscle group: the effect of exercise and leg dominance.
McCreesh K, Egan S
Sports medicine, arthroscopy, rehabilitation, therapy & technology : SMARTT
DOI: 10.1186/1758-2555-3-18
Technical considerations for accurate measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness using B-mode ultrasound
Toomey, C. and McCreesh, K. and Leahy, S. and Jakeman, P.
Ultrasound
DOI: 10.1258/ult.2011.010057
Technical considerations for accurate measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness using B-mode ultrasound
Toomey C; McCreesh K; Leahy S; Jakeman P
Ultrasound
DOI: 10.1258/ult.2011.010057
Assessment of subacromial impingement syndrome in the primary care setting: development of an evidence based clinical framework.
Sorohan, A; McCreesh, K
Physiotherapy Ireland
An investigation into the prevalence of low back pain in Irish undergraduate physiotherapy students and associated risk factors for low back pain using a validated questionnaire
McCreesh, K; Driscoll, T
Physiotherapy Ireland
Deep cervical flexor muscle recruitment in front row rugby players
Caulfield, S; McCreesh, K
Physiotherapy Ireland
Evidence-based prognosis setting in the case of a conservatively managed rotator cuff tear
Mccreesh, K
Physiotherapy Ireland
A study to determine whether rowers with a history of low back pain have reduced endurance of transversus abdominis compared to rowers without such a history
Quain, G; McCreesh, K
Physiotherapy Ireland