Kathryn Palmer

Specialist Spinal Expertise

Kathryn Palmer is a Clinical Physiotherapy Specialist with over 25 years of postgraduate experience in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of musculoskeletal conditions. She has advanced expertise in spinal disorders and holds a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and an MSc in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy. She has additional training in Injection Therapy and Orthopaedic Medicine and is also a qualified Pilates instructor.

Alongside her private practice, Kathryn works within the NHS as a Band 8a Musculoskeletal (MSK) Clinical Specialist, specialising in spinal disorders, hips and knees. As a highly experienced spinal specialist, she has extensive expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and non-surgical management of complex spinal conditions, including neck pain, back pain, sciatica, nerve root irritation, spinal stenosis, and persistent spinal pain. She provides specialised spinal rehabilitation and advanced manual therapy, helping patients optimise movement, reduce pain, and return to the activities that matter most to them.

She practises at an advanced specialist level, helping patients with both acute and long-standing conditions. Her work includes the assessment and treatment of complex musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries, persistent pain presentations, and comprehensive rehabilitation before and after spinal surgery. She has particular expertise in specialised spinal rehabilitation programmes and advanced spinal manual therapy techniques designed to support recovery, improve function, and maximise long-term outcomes.

Specialist Areas of Clinical Practice

Kathryn works at an advanced specialist level within both private practice and the NHS as a Band 8a MSK Clinical Specialist. She provides expert assessment, diagnosis, evidence-based treatment, and rehabilitation for a wide range of conditions, including sports injuries, tendon disorders, osteoarthritis, nerve-related symptoms, persistent pain, and pre- and post-operative orthopaedic and spinal rehabilitation.

She is particularly recognised for her expertise in spinal disorders and specialises in the management of complex spinal conditions, including acute and persistent neck and back pain, sciatica, radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, post-surgical rehabilitation, and persistent spinal pain syndromes. Her practice incorporates specialised spinal rehabilitation, advanced spinal manual therapy, exercise prescription, patient education, and evidence-based pain management strategies to help patients achieve optimal outcomes.

If your particular condition is not listed, Kathryn can still help. A specialist assessment can clarify the likely source of your symptoms and guide the most appropriate rehabilitation or next step.

Evidence-Based Spinal Rehabilitation

Kathryn’s clinical approach combines thorough assessment, evidence-based treatment, patient education, and personalised rehabilitation. She aims to help individuals understand their condition, make informed decisions about their care, and regain confidence in their movement and function.

As a spinal specialist, she provides advanced manual therapy and specialised spinal rehabilitation programmes tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Her rehabilitation approach focuses on restoring movement, improving strength and function, reducing pain, and helping patients safely return to work, sport, and everyday activities. She has extensive experience managing both routine and highly complex spinal presentations, including rehabilitation following spinal surgery and persistent pain conditions.

She remains committed to evidence-based practice through ongoing professional development, including advanced training in spinal care, diagnostic imaging, advanced practice, manual therapy, rehabilitation, and injection therapy.

What Kathryn Enjoys Treating

"I have a particular interest in specialist spinal care, including acute and persistent back and neck pain, sciatica, spinal stenosis, nerve-related symptoms, and symptoms referred into the arms or legs from the spine.

I particularly enjoy assessing complex presentations that have not responded to previous treatment or where a more detailed specialist spinal assessment is needed to gain a clearer understanding of the problem. This may involve considering specialised spinal rehabilitation, advanced manual therapy, further imaging, injection therapy, specialist opinion, or a more tailored rehabilitation approach.

Supporting people through careful assessment, listening to their experiences, understanding their goals, and helping them make informed decisions about their health is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work. Through accurate diagnosis, specialised rehabilitation, and personalised treatment programmes, I aim to help patients regain confidence, improve function, and return to the activities they enjoy."

A Little About Kathryn

Outside the clinic, I enjoy spending time with my family and making the most of being outdoors. Trail running, hiking, cycling, and a variety of water sports are some of my favourite activities. Staying active gives me a strong appreciation of the physical and mental benefits of movement, and I am passionate about helping others return to the activities that are important to them.

Book Your Specialist Appointment With Kathryn

Specialist spinal appointments with Kathryn are available at our Rowlands Castle clinic. Appointments include detailed assessment, a clear explanation of the likely source of your symptoms and an individually tailored treatment and rehabilitation plan.

Book Online With Kathryn →

Online booking is available for self-funding spinal appointments with Kathryn. If you have WPA insurance, please contact us before booking.

Kathryn’s specialist spinal clinic runs on Fridays and appointments may book several weeks in advance. If no appointments are showing online, please contact us, as additional availability may sometimes be possible.

View the Rowlands Castle Clinic →