Dione Knight

Physiotherapist

Dione Knight is a highly accomplished physiotherapist whose career spans decades, continents, and diverse areas of expertise. She graduated from Queensland University with an undergraduate degree in physiotherapy, setting the foundation for a lifelong passion for health, exploration, and innovation. Dione’s curious and adventurous personality took her overseas to London, where she worked as a physiotherapist while immersing herself in the experience of exploring the world. Her travels extended far beyond Europe, leading her off the beaten track to spend extended periods exploring Africa, Asia, and the Far East. These experiences broadened her perspective on life, culture, and the human condition, profoundly shaping her approach to care.

After returning to Australia, Dione pursued further education at the University of Sydney, where she graduated with a Master’s in Applied Science, specializing as a Manipulative Physiotherapist. Her work during this time was groundbreaking, particularly her study of vestibular causes of dizziness—a then relatively underexplored area. The impact of her work was significant, leading to its integration into post-graduate curricula and later becoming a standard component of undergraduate physiotherapy education. This accomplishment not only showcased her ability to identify and address gaps in knowledge but also her commitment to advancing the profession for the benefit of both practitioners and patients.

Throughout her career, Dione has navigated several deviations from traditional musculoskeletal physiotherapy. While she remained a passionate, dedicated, and meticulous musculoskeletal physiotherapist, it was these deviations that provided her with some of the greatest insights into her practice. Parenthood offered her a profound understanding of the physical and emotional resilience required to balance personal and professional life. Her work as a medico-legal assessor deepened her ability to analyze complex cases with precision and empathy. As a trauma survivor herself, Dione developed an intimate understanding of the psychological and physiological impacts of trauma, which she integrated into her practice to better support her patients.

A unique professional experience just prior to contracting acute covid, found her working at the two ends of the spectrum in close succession, chronic pain management and acute trauma care. These experiences laid the groundwork for her future work with Long COVID patients, as they allowed her to develop a nuanced understanding of the nervous system, the effects of trauma, and the interplay between physical and psychological health. Dione’s ability to reflect on her own experiences as a health practitioner and survivor added depth and authenticity to her practice, fostering trust and connection with her patients.

Dione’s life took a significant turn in 2022 when she developed Long COVID, a condition that left her grappling with profound physical and cognitive challenges. At a time when treatment options were limited, she drew on her extensive knowledge of trauma and the nervous system to guide her recovery. By listening to her body and using physiological responses as her compass, she adapted methods from chronic pain management, autonomic rehabilitation, respiratory physiotherapy, and trauma care to find a path forward. Her thirst for knowledge and determination to understand her condition led her to seek out leading researchers in the field. She synthesized their insights with her lived experience, creating innovative approaches to rehabilitation that bridged gaps in existing knowledge and practice.

Recognizing a lack of resources and support for those affected by Long COVID, Dione founded Long Covid Physio. This initiative reflects her mission to empower individuals navigating the complexities of this condition and to optimize their quality of life and function. Her ability to synthesize complex information into easily digestible insights has made her an invaluable resource for patients and colleagues alike. Whether through guest lectures, clinical education, or partnerships with tertiary institutions, Dione’s contributions to the field of physiotherapy continues to have a profound impact.

Dione’s wealth of life experiences, both personal and professional, underpin her exceptional ability to connect with her patients. She “gets it”—a sentiment often expressed by those she works with. Her patients trust her to guide them on their recovery journeys, knowing they are supported by someone who understands their challenges firsthand.
 
With a career defined by curiosity, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, Dione Knight remains a trailblazer in physiotherapy and an inspiring advocate for those navigating life’s most complex health challenges.