I was raised in the Lowveld, completed my matriculation at Ben Vorster High School in Tzaneen, and graduated from the University of Pretoria in 1990. Two years later, I opened my first private practice in Letaba (Tzaneen) and relocated to Pretoria five years after that. For 20 years, I managed my private practice at the onsite LIFE Medical Centre at FORD Motor Co. of S.A., while raising four children with my husband, Paul Grobler. In 2013, I moved my private practice to the central part of Pretoria, shifting my focus from rehabilitating work-related conditions to achieving a balance between rehabilitating patients with sports injuries and chronic pain.
During this period, I stayed up-to-date with new trends and developments in Physiotherapy by studying and regularly attending courses. My focus shifted from primarily relieving a patient’s pain through passive treatment modalities like massage, electrotherapy, taping, and dry needling, to actively engaging the patient as a respected rehabilitation partner in understanding their values and beliefs while addressing the root cause of their pain. This shift was strongly influenced by my involvement in ergonomics in the motor industry, where I saw disability from the employer’s perspective, as well as my own health challenges, where I experienced pain from the patient’s perspective.
Like everyone else, I have not been untouched by the COVID-19 pandemic. Physiotherapists have been on the front line, treating patients in the acute phase (hospital or home visits) or as outpatients (post-COVID rehabilitation). In the post-pandemic world, connecting all the health-related dots to experience the joy of improved quality of health is more important than ever. As a lifelong committed student, I apply my knowledge and personal experience to assist patients on their journey to experiencing this joy.
“You never know how strong you are…until being strong is the only choice you have.” - Cayla Mills
• Masters degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Pretoria (2013)
• Certificate in Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy (OMT) (accredited by the Orthopaedic Manipulative Physiotherapy Group of the South African Society of Physiotherapy [SASP]) (1992)
• Certificate in Ergonomics at the University of Johannesburg RAU (Cum Laude) (2004)
• Certificate in Pain (accredited by Train Pain, and the Pain special interest group of the SASP) (2018)
• Certificate in Cardio-Pulmonary Therapy (accredited by the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Group of the SASP) (2022)
Susan published on the relation between musculoskeletal disorders and ergonomic risk factors in the sewing machine industry.
• "The effect of a work-based physiotherapy and ergonomics programme on work-related upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders in car seat seamstresses." Published in the Journal of Occupational Health of Southern Africa. Jul/Aug 2010
• "The impact of a change in work posture from seated to stand-up on work-related musculoskeletal disorders among sewing-machine operators." Published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine. June 2018. Article ID: AJIM22865. Article DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22865
• A poster of research was presented on: "The impact of a physiotherapy program in an Occupational Setting for Work-related Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders" at the African Physiotherapy Congress on May 3, 2009
• A poster of research was presented on: "The impact of a change in work posture from seated to stand-up on work-related musculoskeletal disorders among sewing-machine operators" at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy in Cape Town, July 2-4, 2017
• Clinical assistant at the OMT course (1998 and 2000)
• Lectured in Ergonomics at the Diploma for Hand Therapy (DHT) (2003 to 2015)
• Part-time Lecturer in Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy departments (pre- and post-graduate) at the University of Pretoria (2011 to 2015)
In the quest for understanding the holistic approach to the Magic of Movement, Susan attended numerous courses.
• Manual therapy: Osteopathic techniques taught by the Upledger and Barral Institutes (includes Cranio-Sacral Therapy, Neuro-Menigeal Mobilisation, and Visceral Manipulation). Managing the fascial component of musculoskeletal disorders (Thomas Myers [Anatomy Trains], LYNMO therapy, Myofascial Activated Posture [MAP])
• Exercise: The Australian Physiotherapy & Pilates Institute (APPI). Vestibular Assessment and Rehabilitation Therapy, presented by UCT (2023)
• Holistic medicine: Training from Dr. Raymond Perrin in the Perrin Technique (Manual therapy for management of Chronic Fatigue Syndromes/ME). An online course in Functional Medicine, presented by the Institute of Functional Medicine, South Africa.
• Cardio-respiratory rehabilitation: Cardio-Respiratory Therapy level 1, presented by S.A. Society of Physiotherapy (2022). Breathefit Breathing Level 1 (2023)
• Recent congresses attended: RAPNSA Congress. World Confederation for Physical Therapy Congress in Cape Town. American Congress of Rheumatology in Chicago.
• Community service: Susan served as the Back Expert on Health24.com for 4 years.
“Life is ours to be spent, not to be saved.” - D.H. Lawrence