ABOUT ME
Lifelong rider, animal lover & Physiotherapist
Hi there! I'm Heather Maxwell, the owner of Sentient Physiotherapy! I grew up around horses and dogs, and physiotherapy always felt like the natural way to combine that with a career in health. I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Animal Science in the UK in 2013 and followed it up with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy in 2015. I then went on to specialise in Animal physiotherapy gaining a Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy in 2023!
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With a background in musculoskeletal practice, I've worked with everyone from football teams to everyday champions tackling life's aches and pains. Alongside this, I have the privilege of treating horses and dogs, with my clinical focus centred on canine rehabilitation by helping dogs recover from surgery, manage ageing, and stay strong through preventative care. I'm driven by improving lives through functional exercise.
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As a lifelong horse rider and former FEI level eventing competitor in Great Britain, I still cherish every moment I get to ride. When I'm not riding, I'm having a blast with my two lovable kelpies, Ziggy and Audey!
Qualified Animal Physiotherapist
What is animal physiotherapy?
Animal physiotherapy is a branch of veterinary medicine that helps animals move better, reduces their pain, and speeds up recovery from surgery or injury. Just like human physical therapy, it uses exercises, massage, and hydrotherapy to heal muscles, bones, and nerves. An animal physiotherapist is a qualified human physiotherapist who has carried out further postgraduate or master's level studies in veterinary physiotherapy.
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We treat primarily canines, equines and felines, but all animals are welcome. As animal physiotherapists, we work closely with your veterinarian to provide your animal with the most appropriate treatment.
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Therapeutic exercise uses targeted movements, stretches and balance work chosen for your animal's needs. It's aimed at rebuilding strength, improving flexibility or retraining coordination after injury or surgery.
Hydrotherapy is exercise carried out in water, often using an underwater treadmill. The water's buoyancy takes weight off your animal's joints, making movement easier for animals recovering from surgery or managing arthritis.
Massage releases tight or overworked muscles, while joint mobilisation gently moves a joint to maintain or restore its range. Both are hands on techniques used to ease tension and support movement.
Electrotherapy includes low level laser, therapeutic ultrasound and mild electrical stimulation applied to the affected area. It's aimed at supporting healing and easing swelling, usually alongside hands on treatment.
Indications for Physiotherapy
Equine Physiotherapy
Horse & Rider Physiotherapy
As qualified physiotherapists, we are able to provide functional assessments of you on and off your horse. The rider is as important as the horse, therefore being fit and enabling your horse to move well requires the rider to have adequate strength, stability and mobility.
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The assessment will entail assessing you riding and on the ground. This is done at your property but can also be done online via video. Following this, an exercise program will be put together using both exercises on your horse, and off your horse which you can follow in your own time.
