Meet Dr. Daisy Su | Performing Arts & Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Daisy Su and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Daisy, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a dancer and martial artist, I spent years training my body’s movement and understanding the delicate balance between strength, flexibility, and power. I was consistently surrounded by sports injuries, which sparked my interest in the human body. Watching ankles get taped at taekwondo tournaments and seeing my friends sit out of ballet class really piqued my interest in rehab and how one actually returns from an injury.

At the time it was nearly impossible to find a local physical therapist, let alone a healthcare provider, who specialized in working with dancers. That’s when I decided what I would study in college and knew I wanted to become a physical therapist who specializes in working with dancers, just as there are physicians, physical therapists, and trainers who work specifically with the more traditional athletes. Fast forward 10 years—through undergard, getting my doctorate in physical therapy, and completing an Orthopedic Residency—it’s hard to believe that my goal as a little dancer is now becoming my reality!

Although I am still in the early phases of starting my own business, my passion for the performing arts continues to live through my practice. I truly believe that dancers, musicians, singers, and performers need just as much, if not more, health and wellness support than your traditional athletes. Not only are performing artists incredibly strong, but they also need to simultaneously perform and entertain effortlessly. As both a physical therapist and Pilates instructor, I specialize in orthopedic and pelvic floor rehabilitation, as well as strength training for Artistic Athletes. I’m passionate about working with movement artists of all ages, helping them recover from injuries and optimize their performance so they can move stronger, longer, and smarter!

Please tell us more about your career. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I think what I am most excited about is just seeing where my journey continues to go. My path for getting to where I am today has been far from easy. Although becoming a physical therapist and working with dancers has been a goal of mine since the beginning, the actual process of getting accepted into PT school, starting my career in the midst of the COVID pandemic, and creating my own opportunities has been a true test of my resilience. There were so many moments of doubt—being advised to change career paths, facing limited job opportunities, and feeling underprepared. But despite all the twists, turns, and bumps along the way, I’ve persevered and am proud of how far I’ve come and continue to grow. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s the importance of staying true to myself. If I don’t believe in myself, no one else will.

When I say I love what I do, I truly mean it. We’ve all worked with professionals in different settings and can tell when someone is truly invested versus just going through the motions. I am someone who genuinely cares and is committed to providing the highest quality of care to everyone I work with. I’m excited to continue blending my movement background with my clinical expertise in orthopedic, sport, and pelvic health to create a unique experience for each person I work with. It’s been quite the journey thus far, but I am just getting started and can’t wait to see where the coming years take me!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Food is my love language so we would definitely be eating our way through Houston! But depending on the day of the week, we’d have to start with some type of fresh air or movement – walking the dog through the neighborhood, heading to my favorite dog park (Danny Jackson Bark Park), getting out to a trail (Eastern Glades, Houston Arboretum, Terry Hershey), or browsing a local farmers market. Up next would be coffee/brunch! I love trying all the cute coffee shops that Houston has to offer but some recent go-to coffee/brunch spots have been Leven Bakery & Café, Adair Kitchen, Luce Avenue Coffee, Slowpokes and Harry’s! Depending how eventful a morning is, I’m never opposed to a slow afternoon for just some quality catch-up and boba. So many good boba/milk tea options but to list a few: Hella Bubble, Wanpo, Nha Tea, Sunright Tea, and Long Coffee. Other things I’d work into the week would maybe be a trip to the Houston Zoo, watching a Broadway or Ballet at The Hobby Center, or catching a show at the Miller Outdoor Theatre. And a list of other food options for lunch or dinner is endless!! Top go-to choices – Kim Shabu, Korea Garden, Haidilao Hot pot, House of Bowls, Burger-Chan, BORI…can you tell what my favorite type of food is? Haha! …Paulie’s, Local Foods, El Tiempo, Taste of Texas, POST Houston food hall and so much more! Houston has ALL the good food options, no matter what the mood is.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people and communities I am grateful for! First, I’d like to thank my family and friends for their constant support and belief in my dreams. A special shoutout to the Houston dance community—Soundbox Studios, Dance Source Houston, Fluid Frames, and HTX Connect—for their continued encouragement and opportunities to educate and elevate our very talented artists. I am also thankful for Kinitro Fitness and Boost Pilates for providing beautiful spaces for growth. Last but certainly not least, I couldn’t be here without the love and support of my fiancé, Mike Huynh. As two entrepreneurial physical therapists, a lot of energy gets put into our work, but with a supportive and equally passionate partner by my side, anything feels possible!

Website: https://daisy-su-dpt.square.site/

Instagram: @daisysudpt

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/daisysudpt

Image Credits
– Danh T. Phan
– Fluid Frames Dance Photography
– Stacey Jamieson