Issy Hill, Chartered Physiotherapist and ACPAT Category A Veterinary Physiotherapist
BSc (Hons) · MSc · MCSP · HCPC · ACPAT · AACP
Hilltops Physiotherapy provides high-quality, evidence-based physiotherapy for people, horses and dogs from its base in Innerleithen, near Peebles, covering the Tweed Valley and the wider Scottish Borders. Every treatment begins with a comprehensive assessment and an individualised plan tailored to each patient.
Issy graduated with a First-Class Honours degree in Physiotherapy before completing a further three years of postgraduate study to achieve a Master's degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy from Hartpury University.
Issy is a specialist musculoskeletal and women's health physiotherapist with experience across the NHS, private practice, and the British Army, where she worked in a fast-paced, demanding, and highly rewarding environment.
Before relocating to Innerleithen, Issy was the Rehabilitation Service Lead and Senior Physiotherapist at Langford Small Animal Referral Hospital. There, she worked alongside specialist veterinary surgeons, gaining extensive experience in rehabilitating patients following a wide range of orthopaedic and neurological procedures, including cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) surgery, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) surgery, and total hip replacement.
As part of her role at Langford, Issy also co-ran a specialist pain clinic alongside a veterinary pain specialist. This experience has given her a holistic approach to rehabilitation, particularly for pets with complex needs, including chronic pain, behavioural concerns, or multiple medical conditions.
Animals have always played a central role in Issy's life. Her family breeds Golden Retriever gundogs and has longstanding connections with the horse racing industry. She has ridden horses since the age of two, competing at local events and even trying her hand at carriage driving. More recently, she has enjoyed returning to her family's racing roots by regularly riding out for a local training yard.
ACPAT is a dynamic, progressive organisation, developed from within the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, which aims to lead the field and the standards of animal physiotherapy and promote excellence through ongoing education, evaluation, research and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
A growing number of Chartered Physiotherapists now work with animals. The title ‘Chartered Physiotherapist’ is protected by law and can only be used by physiotherapists who have achieved a high level of academic and practical training in all aspects of physiotherapy and are consequently qualified and registered to practice. All ACPAT members are full practising members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
Yes. Under UK law an animal must be registered with a vet, and veterinary consent is needed before physiotherapy can begin. Issy liaises directly with your vet to arrange this, so it usually takes no more than a quick phone call or form.
Hilltops Physiotherapy is based in Innerleithen and covers roughly a 25 mile radius, including Peebles, Walkerburn, Cardrona, Galashiels, Selkirk, Melrose, Lauder, St Boswells, Hawick, West Linton, Biggar, Penicuik and the wider Tweed Valley. If you are slightly outside this area, get in touch anyway.
Prices depend on the service and travel distance. Please email issy@hilltopsphysiotherapy.com or call 07896 962295 for current prices and availability.
Every first appointment starts with a full history and a hands-on assessment, including posture, gait and range of movement. You then receive an individualised treatment plan and, where appropriate, a home exercise programme.
No. Routine physiotherapy helps maintain performance, flexibility and comfort, and regular checks can pick up stiffness or compensation before it becomes a problem. Many competition horses and sporting dogs are treated on a maintenance basis.
Yes. Issy is a Chartered Physiotherapist with NHS, private practice and British Army experience, offering musculoskeletal physiotherapy, acupuncture, sports massage and women's health physiotherapy alongside her veterinary work.
Please email or call to enquire about prices or to arrange an appointment.