Dr. Lois Lochhead

Lois recently completed her PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia where she also completed her BSR in Physiotherapy over 30 years ago. Her doctoral research focused on the function of abdominal, low back and pelvic floor muscles using Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging (RTUS). This is a great tool for viewing these deep stabilizing muscle in both resting and contracted states.

In practice, Lois uses RTUS to assess and treat women with low back, pelvic floor, groin, hip and pelvic/tailbone issues. The pelvic floor can be visualized through the abdominal wall (with a full bladder) which is a less invasive way to assess pelvic floor muscles when compared with internal pelvic examination. However, when such an examination is warranted, Lois is fully qualified to perform internal assessments. She also has expertise in the management and treatment of both female and male bladder and bowel control, vaginal/genital/rectal pain, as well as perinatal low back, pubic or groin pain. She provides treatment for conditions such as painful intercourse, vulvodynia, and pelvic organ prolapse. Her treatment approach combines manual therapy and myofascial release techniques along with training of the deep stabilizers of the low back, abdomen and pelvic floor using RTUS to provide biofeedback ensuring correct exercise performance.

When not in the clinic, Lois can be found chasing a little white ball down the fairway or hitting the road on her bicycle.

Awards, Distinctions and Fellowships:

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Banting & Best Doctoral Fellowship 2010-2013
• WorkSafeBC – Research Trainee Award – 2010-2012
• University of British Columbia Graduate Student Award 2009-2010
• University of British Columbia Four Year Fellowship 2010-2014

Publications, Presentations and Abstracts     

Publications

1. Lochhead, L., MacMillan P.D., Does “pain” fit the model in a chronic pain population: Rasch Analysis of the Oswestry Disability Index? Work, 2013; 46 (1): 67-76.

Manuscripts in Preparation.

1. Lochhead, L., Parent, E., Backman, C. Koehoorn, M. Franche, R-L, Monitoring of Transversus Abdominus, Multifidus and Pelvic Floor Muscles at Rest and Under Various Loading Conditions in Women Aged 35 to 55 before and after Undergoing Abdominal Hysterectomy, Draft prepared for submission to the Journal of  Women’s Health.
2. Lochhead, L. Parent, E., Backman, C. Koehoorn, M. Franche, R-L, Test-retest Reliability of Transversus Abdominus, Multifidus and Pelvic Floor Muscles at Rest and Under Various Loading Conditions in Non-Hysterectomized Women Aged 35 to 55. Draft prepared for submission to the Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
3. Lochhead, L., Koehoorn, M., Parent, E., Backman, C. Franche, R-L Administrative Database Analysis of Association between Abdominal Hysterectomy and Low Back Injury among Healthcare Workers. Draft prepared for submission to Physiotherapy Canada.   

  Abstracts/Conference Proceedings

1. Lochhead, L., Koehoorn, M., Backman, C., Franche R.L., Parent, E. A Population Based Study to Evaluate the Impact of Hysterectomy on Work‐Related Low Back Injury Rates in Healthcare Workers, Canadian Physiotherapy Association Congress, Montreal Quebec, May 23-26/2013
2. Hemingway, D., Margolin, I., Zimmer, L., MacLennan, C., Kaweesi, C., Lochhead, L., An Examination of Health Needs of Older Women who are experiencing Precarious or No Employment in Northern British Columbia, Innovation and Development Commons, Research Days Conference, Prince George, November 15-16, 2012.
3. Hemingway, D., Margolin, I., Zimmer, L., MacLennan, C., Kaweesi, C., Lochhead, L., Health Needs of Women 45 years and older  who are Experiencing Precarious or No Employment in Northern BC, 11th Annual Canadian Rural Health Research Meeting, Levis, QC. October 25-27, 2012.
4. Lochhead, L., Zimmer, L., Recovery from abdominal hysterectomy: The impact of core muscle function and perceived body on women’s return to normal activity Northern Health Research Days, November 1-2, 2011.
5. Zimmer, L., Lochhead, L. Educating for Rural Acute Care Nursing Practice Readiness, 10^th Annual Canadian Rural Health Research Meeting, Richmond BC, October 20 & 21, 2011.
6. Lochhead, L., A New Look at Some Old Friends: Rasch Analysis of the Oswestry Disability Index, Neck Disability Index, Dallas Pain Questionnaire and Spinal Function Sort.  Canadian Physiotherapy Association Annual Congress, St. John’s, NL.  July 22-25, 2010.
7. Lochhead, L., MacMillan, P.D. Assessment of Work Readiness – Rasch Analysis of the Spinal Function Sort. Sixth National Conference of the Canadian Association for Research on Work and Health Toronto, ON. May 28-29, 2010.
8. MacMillan, P.D., Lochhead, L. Lessons from evaluating and equating attempts with self-report forms.  AERA  Annual Conference, Denver, CO April 30-May 4, 2010.
9. Lochhead, L., MacMillan, P.D., Was the sow’s ear ever a silk purse? Analysis of the Spinal Function Sort using the Rasch (Master’s) Rating Scale Model. International Objective Measurement Conference, Boulder, CO April 28 & 29, 2010.
10. Lochhead, L., MacMillan, P.D. Rasch Analysis of the Oswestry Disability Index published in the Conference Proceedings of the 14^th International Congress on Circumpolar Health, July 2009.

Invited Presentations

1.  Zimmer, L., Lochhead, L. Recovery from hysterectomy: The impact of core muscle function and perceived body on women’s return to normal activity. A Pilot Study, Canadian Association of Perinatal & Women’s Health Nurses, 4th National Conference, Regina, SK, October 23-25, 2014.
2. Hemingway, D. Lochhead L., Creating Healthy Rural/Remote/Northern Communities: What We’ve Learned and are still Learning – University of Toronto, Toronto, ON – February 2013
3. Lochhead, L., Zimmer L., Body & Mind: using a mixed methods approach to understand perceived and apparent readiness for return to activity/work following hysterectomy. IDC Brown Bag Lunch, Prince George, BC  September 27, 2012