Richmond Stace
The Pain Coach | Chartered Physiotherapist | Specialist in Chronic & Persistent Pain Rehabilitation
For over 30 years, I’ve been helping people navigate pain, find relief, and reconnect with what matters most in their lives.
My approach is person-centred, practical, and deeply compassionate.
I believe that pain is not just something to be “managed”—it’s something to be understood, eased, and transformed.
My focus on chronic pain began in the early 2000s, though my curiosity was first sparked during my nurse training—seeing people in deep pain, often without clear answers.
To specialise, I completed the MSc in Pain: Science and Society at King’s College London, a pioneering programme led by Professor Mick Thacker, a student of renowned pain scientist Professor Pat Wall.
This training grounded me in cutting-edge pain science and deepened my understanding of the human context in which pain exists—people’s lives, stories, and challenges.
It also taught me how to keep learning, so I can stay up to date with the latest research while always staying close to what matters most: the lived experience of the person in front of me.
If you’re ready to explore a different way forward with your pain, I’d be honoured to support you.
I draw on a rich and integrated background in:
Nursing and Physiotherapy
Pain Neuroscience and Sport Rehabilitation
Strength & Conditioning and Exercise Physiology
Positive Psychology, Strengths-Based Coaching, and Compassion-Focused Therapy
I’ve worked in the NHS, elite sport, private practice, and the corporate world—but the heart of my work has always been the same:
Supporting real people in real pain, with care and skill.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to turn, I’m here to help you.
Together, we’ll explore your experience, create calm, and build simple, sustainable steps forward for you to achieve your picture of success.
You can live yourself better.
Helping society understand pain
In 2015 I co-founded Understand Pain (UP) with singer and Rock Choir leader, Georgie Standage. Georgie came to see me because she had complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). This is a terribly painful and challenging condition. Benefiting from practices and strategies based on the latest understanding of pain, Georgie told me that she wanted us to get together and create something to help others. UP was born. The purpose of UP was to share the modern messages about pain to give people understanding and hope.
To launch UP, Georgie organised a singing event at Heathrow with over 400 Rock Choir singers. It was an incredible atmosphere as the Choir entertained passengers and staff throughout the afternoon, with brief intervals to talk about the problem of pain — one of the largest global health burdens.
Since then, I have spoken at many events, conferences, delivered practical webinars and have run workshops for people suffering persistent pain. This continues as part of my work.
In 2017, I created upandrun as another way to raise awareness and to encourage people to be active in their own way.
From 2018 I picked up the distance and started running an ultramarathon each month for UP. This continued for two years before needing to ease back a little — it was taking up so much time! UPandrun continues at a slightly easier pace now 😊.
In 2022 I started humanitarian work in with the physiotherapists in Gaza. This is with the charity, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). Part online and visiting in September last year, I am delivering teaching and training on chronic pain to help the local physios develop their service. I plan to continue this work for as long as is needed.
