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A calm, hands-on approach to feeling supported in your body
People come to physiotherapy for many different reasons. Sometimes it’s pain. Sometimes it’s stiffness, loss of confidence, or a sense that their body isn’t quite doing what it used to. And often, it’s simply because coping for a long time has become tiring.
My human physiotherapy clinic in Stafford is designed to be a calm, supportive space — somewhere you can slow down, be listened to, and feel cared for as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms.
I’m a Chartered Physiotherapist, with decades of experience working clinically with both humans and horses. That combination has shaped how I practise: attentive, hands-on, and grounded in careful observation. I’m interested not only in what hurts, but in how you move, how you’re compensating, and what your body might be asking for underneath the surface.
Many people arrive feeling a little unsure — particularly if they’ve never seen a physiotherapist before, or if past experiences have felt rushed or impersonal. I work at a different pace.
Appointments last between 30 and 45 minutes, and they begin with conversation. We take time to talk about what’s been happening, what you’ve noticed, what feels difficult, and what you’re hoping for. There’s no need to get the words “right”. Listening is as important as assessing.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that people come to physiotherapy wanting different things. Sometimes it’s pain relief. Sometimes it’s about moving more freely or breathing more easily. And very often, it’s the quiet relief of beginning to feel more at home in their body after months or years of compensating, coping, or pushing on.
Your first appointment includes a thorough assessment, tailored to you. This may involve looking at posture, movement, strength, and how different areas of the body are working together. I’ll explain what I’m finding as we go, in clear, straightforward language, and we’ll decide together what feels most helpful.
Treatment is always individual and may include:
Skilled, hands-on manual therapy
Gentle guidance and education, so you understand what’s happening in your body
Simple, appropriate exercises where needed, to support movement and function
Manual therapy plays an important role in my work. For many people, respectful, attentive touch can help ease tension, restore mobility, and provide reassurance as well as physical change. Everything we do is guided by consent, communication, and your comfort on the day. You are always in control.
People see me for a wide range of concerns, including neck, shoulder and back pain, hip or knee discomfort, foot or hand issues, and general stiffness or restriction. Some are active and sporty; others simply want to feel more comfortable and confident in everyday life.
You don’t need to be “broken” to benefit from physiotherapy. Often, people come because they sense something could feel easier — and they’d like support in getting there.
Many of the people I work with choose to come regularly. Not because something is wrong, but because they value how it feels to be supported.
Regular physiotherapy can help maintain mobility, ease niggles before they become more significant, and provide continuity in busy or demanding lives. For some, appointments are occasional and problem-focused. For others, they become part of an ongoing approach to well-being. And for many, that rhythm changes over time, depending on what life is asking of them.
This is very much how I approach my own health. I have treatment myself every four to six weeks, because I’ve learned how closely pain relief, prevention, performance, and proactive well-being are linked. Feeling looked after in a consistent, thoughtful way makes a difference — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
There’s no expectation that everyone should approach their care in the same way. But when people share this mindset, we often find we work particularly well together.
Physiotherapy doesn’t have to feel clinical or impersonal. It can be calm, human, and quietly supportive — a place where you’re met with care, skill, and respect.
Whether you come once, occasionally, or as part of your regular self-care, you’re very welcome here.
If you’d like to ask a question or explore whether physiotherapy might be right for you, please feel free to get in touch.
🌟 About Sue Palmer, The Horse Physio
Sue Palmer MCSP is an award-winning Chartered Physiotherapist, educator, and author. Known for her compassionate, evidence-informed approach, Sue specialises in human health and equine well-being, with a focus on the links between pain and behaviour in horses. She is registered with the RAMP, ACPAT, IHA, CSP, and the HCPC.
📚 Books include:
Harmonious Horsemanship (with Dr Sue Dyson)
Drawn to Horses (hardback, with illustrations by Sarah Brown)
Understanding Horse Performance: Brain, Pain or Training? (ebook)
Horse Massage for Horse Owners (ebook)
🌐 Learn more at www.thehorsephysio.co.uk
