The M Word: The Physiotherapist’s Mission to Heal the Silence in Women’s Health

For many women, the journey to motherhood is fraught with a paradox: while the new baby becomes the center of the world of care, the mother’s own physical recovery is often met with profound silence and bewilderment. Susie Schutt, Women’s Health and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, knows this silence first hand. It’s a silence she first noticed professionally at a GP surgery in South Norfolk and experienced personally after the birth of her own child.

It is this difference between caring and caring that a mother gives that inspired her The word M Physio. What began as a university business project has evolved into a specialty practice dedicated to supporting women through the hormonal and physical changes of motherhood. Susie’s work is built on a simple and vital principle: women deserve to feel heard, supported and empowered in their bodies, not just as mothers, but as individuals. “What I really want people to understand about The M Word Physio is how deeply it means to me,” said Susie. “After having my own children, I realized that there is this great silence about women’s health after childbirth and our own recovery. We focus so much on the baby, but who supports us?”

System under pressure

Susie’s journey began long before she became a mother herself. Working in a first contact physiotherapist role, she sat at the frontline of primary care, seeing patients directly in GP practices. Day after day, she meets women struggling with symptoms that quietly destroy their quality of life. “I knew that waiting lists were critical to pelvic health and that the symptoms experienced by women affected their quality of life while waiting to be seen,” she recalls.

She saw how musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and pelvic floor dysfunction were often dismissed by patients and some medical professionals as a normal and inevitable result of childbirth or aging. Women were told to accept their symptoms and live with them. But Susie, a firm believer in early intervention, saw another way. “I’ve always felt that prevention is better than cure,” she says, “so seeing women early to reduce the risk of symptoms progressing or becoming chronic would be a priority.” This frustration spawned a seed: a growing belief that a different kind of support was not only possible, but necessary.

Turning Point: From Physio to Patient

When Susie gave birth to her first child, the specialist became very personal. An emergency C-section classified abdominal surgery procedure allowed him to complete a difficult recovery with minimal support. “My recovery … was minimal,” he said. “Luckily, being a physiotherapist and trained in pilates, I was able to recover to the point where I could get back to pre-baby exercise levels, but I know that’s not often the case for many women.”

The standard six-week postpartum check-up felt incomplete. “The 6-week review included questions about my birth control and my mental health,” she says. “This should be improved by asking more about the holistic picture, including the physical, mental and social health of mothers, because I believe they all coexist.” Her experience reinforced what she had suspected for years: the system could not fully see the mother. The focus remained on the child, while the woman, who had just gone through one of the most profound physical and hormonal changes of her life, was left to fend for herself. It was a turning point that turned his business idea into a mission.

Construction of the village

Starting a professional business comes with its own set of challenges. For Susie, the biggest obstacle was education. Many women and even other medical professionals are concerned about the role of physiotherapy in the management of hormonal health and postpartum recovery. Building trust in a new profession required patience, persistence, and a willingness to build relationships from the ground up.

Then came the personal test of taking maternity leave. For any founder, walking away from a business that relies on your personal experience is terrifying. “I was worried about taking maternity leave,” she admits. “I’ve built my business and run it well with word of mouth for new clients. Maternity leave is a big change in lifestyle and finances.” The tension between wanting to be around her new baby and needing to keep her business running was very real. “I didn’t want to take too much time away from my role in my business, but I also wanted to enjoy my time with my new baby – a mattress pad is one thing!”

This period taught him an important lesson in society. Instead of seeing other practitioners as competition, she cooperated. “How important is networking and don’t be afraid to support others on your journey,” he advises other founders. “Building your business village is very important, you will all bring different experiences/skills and when you communicate well, recognize others’ specialties and support referrals for better customer care – this is the real power of a successful network.” He learned that opportunities come from connections and that a support network is the foundation of lasting success.

Care that sees the whole person

At the heart of The M Word Physio is a commitment to personalized and holistic care. Susie’s approach goes beyond physical symptom relief. She develops treatment plans that respect the complex realities of a woman’s life after childbirth. “When finalizing an individualized treatment plan, I always aim to look at all aspects of the person’s lifestyle,” he said. The process considers mental and physical health, social life, support networks, finances, nutrition, sleep, relationships, and most importantly, the woman’s personal goals.

It’s a process that takes time—a commodity often lacking in standard medical appointments. By creating a relaxed and unhurried atmosphere, Suzy empowers women to be fully heard. She helps them reconnect with parts of themselves that were lost during the transition to motherhood. “What they’re missing and seeing how they can bring some of their previous goals back into their current program,” he said. “It takes time, but time is really important.”

The effect of this relationship is visible. Women who used to think their symptoms were just “normal” begin to understand their bodies and regain their confidence. Collaborations with brands such as John Lewis and Sweaty Mama have helped her reach more women and improve access to education and support. His expertise is also recognized scientifically; She currently lectures on musculoskeletal physiotherapy and women’s health at the University of East Anglia and was recently named one of the top 10 UK businesswomen in the UK Small Business Awards.

Practicing what he preaches

Running a business dedicated to wellness while raising two children taught Susie the extraordinary importance of self-care. She is a strong advocate for mothers taking time for themselves and lives by that philosophy. “I practice what I preach! I have 2 kids myself and bet I get some ‘me’ time,” she says. “Even if it’s only once a month, I’m sure I’ll have some time to do something I enjoy from my previous childhood hobbies.”

For her, that time often involves art. “Whether it’s planning a dinner party at home or attending a local art group. Writing something in a journal helps me look forward to something, knowing I’ll have some time.” She also balances her exercise routine, realizing that modern life requires moments of rest and strength. “I’m now more aware of the importance of slowing down, learning meditation/relaxation techniques,” she said. “In a world where everything is so fast and busy, I think we now often forget how to relax, so the balance of training is important – from strength training to relaxation / breathing. It’s all really important.”

A true voice for the future

Looking ahead, Susie’s vision is to make The M Word Physio a leading voice in postpartum care and help break the stigma that still surrounds maternal health. She believes that the real key is to combine clinical guidelines with the lived reality of parenting. “Parenting doesn’t always fit into a box,” she notes, “so finding ways to work around that and being realistic is really important.”

For other founders entering the wellness space, his advice is grounded in humility and connection. She encourages networking, sticks to her values, and even embraces a healthy dose of self-doubt. “I believe a level of imposter syndrome is good – it keeps you grounded and makes you question your knowledge, practice and experience. Use that uncertainty to push yourself to learn more and grow.”

Susie Schutt’s work is a quiet but powerful rebellion against a culture that often asks women to disappear into the role of motherhood. Through The M Word Physio, she doesn’t just treat the symptoms; she restores dignity, instills confidence, and reminds women that their health, their well-being, and their stories matter. He heals silence, one conversation and one encounter at a time.

Discover: mword-physio.co.uk

Key word: postnatal physiotherapy