Who will I see?

Our team are at the core of Boathouse Physiotherapy, offering the highest level of diagnosis, treatment and care.

Katherine Sanders

BSc(Hons) MCSP Chartered Physiotherapist

Katherine set up Boathouse Physiotherapy in 2014.  It is now a successful Private business with a NHS contract.  The clinic is set up to provide expert assessment, treatment and rehabilitation to the local residential and business community and to meet the ever increasing demand for fast access to high quality physiotherapy.  

Katherine's approach involves hands on treatment to joints, nerves and muscles. The majority of her treatments are focused on giving specific education and exercise to address your needs and your goals by avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach.  Katherine enjoys educating her patients in their condition and rehabilitation.  

Katherine qualified from University West of England, Bristol in 2000.  In 2006 Katherine took up a post at the Spire Hospital, Bristol where she was employed as Physiotherapy Manager. In this role she worked closely with lead orthopaedic consultants to set up and develop the outpatient department.  She especially enjoyed working with the shoulder specialist and now has a special interest in this area.

Alongside this she worked independently in other private practices, for the South West of England Girls hockey team and a South West division 1 rugby team. At the same time she developed her interest in Pilates and Acupuncture.

Since moving back to Reading in 2011 Katherine worked at the Spire Dunedin Healthcare. Here she worked with the local orthopaedic consultants.

Outside of work she enjoys pilates, running and spending time with her husband and two girls.

Katherine is currently working at both Boathouse Physiotherapy and Back In Line chiropractic clinic.

Shaun Rouse

Bsc (Hons) Physiotherapist HCPC

Shaun graduated from Stellenbosch University, South Africa with a degree in Sports Science in 2007. He moved to the UK to study Physiotherapy and qualified from the University of Hertfordshire in 2011. Since then he has been specialising in musculoskeletal physiotherapy treating all age groups. Shaun has also achieved Quality Assured Practitioner (QAP) status in 2020 developed by Physio First in association with the University of Brighton. This recognises one's commitment to the quality of patient care and outcomes.

Shaun has worked with elite athletes and developed experience in biomechanics and performance in runners and cyclists.  Shaun has extensive training in bike fitting and cycling related injuries. He previously worked in a clinic in London delivering bike fitting services for injury prevention and for performance. Shaun can apply his biomechanics and physio head to help both amateurs and elite athletes alike.

Over the years he has qualified in acupuncture, pilates, personal training, taping and sports massage and can use the diagnostic ultrasound as par of this assessment process. Shaun completed his training with the Sports Medicine Ultrasound Group (SMUG) and qualified with a PG Cert MSK sonography in 2024.  Shaun also has specialist training in children and adolescent injuries and treatment.

Shaun has been working locally in the Chilterns for the last five years and has developed close working relationships with consultants and GPs. Shaun believes working within a multidisciplinary team to achieve the best outcomes for his patients. Clinically, Shaun's interest are in active treatment approaches and lower limb pathologies.

Outside of work Shaun is married and has two young boys which keep him very busy. However, Shaun still manages to cycle or run on a daily basis.

Helen Wilkins

BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy HCPC, AACP

Helen graduated in 2003 with Bsc Hons in Physiotherapy from the University of Wales College of Medicine in Cardiff. She has worked in large teaching hospitals in Cardiff and London where she gained a wealth of experience in a range of physiotherapy before specialising in community and musculoskeletal settings.

Helen has over 20 years of experience working in both private and NHS sectors. Her experience enables her to effectively treat a wide range of acute and chronic musculoskeletal problems, including spines, joint, muscle and nerve related pain. She utilises a range of manual techniques including joint mobilisations, manipulations, soft tissue release, acupuncture, Pilates, exercise therapy and taping. She also successfully helps women with pregnancy and post-natal related pain, strengthening and symptom relief with hands on treatment and taping techniques.

Helen provides holistic and individual care for each of her patients, ensuring the very best outcomes for therapy.

Outside of Physiotherapy, she is also a qualified Hypnotherapist, a busy mother of three and enjoys keeping fit running regularly and playing tennis.

Claire Stevens

BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy
Qualified Mummy MOT Practitioner

Claire is a musculoskeletal and women’s health specialist Physiotherapist who qualified from one of London’s major teaching hospitals St Georges University in 2010. Claire started her Physiotherapy career at Guys and St Thomas NHS trust and then moved into the private sector. 

Claire has worked privately and in the NHS during her career and works as an advanced musculoskeletal practice physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal injuries with a special interest in back pain and Women’s Health. She is extremely passionate about women’s health in sport and is the women’s health Physiotherapist for GB rowing.  

After the birth of her daughter, she noticed a need for Women's Health Physiotherapists in the area and the limited provisions for women who need help and do not know where to turn. She was desperate to return to rugby following her C-section with very limited resources to facilitate this. Working alongside the local Gynecological consultants Claire trained in this field. Completing her post graduate certificate in Women’s Health she was welcomed as full member of the POGP (Pelvic, obstetric, and gynaecological Physiotherapists) and is a fully qualified Mummy MOT practitioner. Claire is also a member of the acupuncture association of chartered Physiotherapists. 

When not in clinic Claire is a Mum of two and loves sport. She is one of the founding members of Abbey Nuns rugby team, she enjoys playing for the club with County and Premiership caps(Wasps) to her name. When not playing you can usually find her covering the Physio on the pitches. 

Helen Adams

Bsc (Hons) Physiotherapist HCPC

Helen graduated from Hertfordshire University in 2006 and have since cultivated a diverse and enriching career in the field of physiotherapy.

Her journey began with valuable experience across several NHS hospitals, where she deepened her understanding of musculoskeletal conditions. She then took on a role at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where she designed and developed the initial hip arthroscopy rehabilitation service, making significant strides in patient recovery and care.

In 2012, Helen transitioned to the Police Rehabilitation Centre, further specializing in musculoskeletal conditions while also establishing her own Pilates class business.

Her approach integrates hands-on manual therapy, acupuncture, and massage with exercise therapy.

Helen is committed to treating patients holistically, recognizing that pain is influenced by a myriad of factors. Her practice is centred around understanding each patient's unique needs and crafting tailored treatment plans that promote overall well-being and recovery.

Outside of work, Helen spends time with her husband and young son.  She loves animals, particularly cats, and enjoy being immersed in nature. Her interests include a wide array of sports—though these days she finds herself more of a spectator than a participant—along with swimming, baking, and musical theatre.

Sonja Kritzinger

Sonja graduated from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in 2017 with her B.Sc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and completed her community service working with neuro-rehabilitation and musculoskeletal (MSK) Outpatients in 2018. In 2019 she did a postgraduate certification in Orthopaedic Manipulative therapy to specialize into the assessment and treatment of neuro-MSK and chronic pain conditions. She spent the first 3 years of her career working in a Chronic back and neck pain clinic in South Africa followed by 3 years of musculoskeletal outpatient care in Oxfordshire.

Sonja has done various courses over the years including Dry needling and Level1-3 mat work Pilates. In addition to this she has completed her First Contact Practitioner Training for musculoskeletal triaging and has worked very closely with the local GP surgeries in Oxfordshire in her mentorship program.

Sonja has a great passion in helping to bridge the gap between active andpassive treatment and strives to help educate and improve the understanding of what generates pain, why things hurt and how to address it. She uses a combination of education, hands on intervention and exercises to optimise function and help you return to the things you love.

Outside of physiotherapy Sonja loves being active and in nature. In her youth she competed in the Junior Track world Championships and the African Continental championships, securing her Springbok National Colours for South Africa. Despite hanging up her helmet she has maintained a keen understanding of the human body and its potential, understands the dedication and work that goes into being a sportsperson and is inspired to help others to achieve their goals no matter how big or small.

Sonja now spends her free time dinghy sailing, hiking, camping and on DIY projects

Stevie Oldfield

Sports Therapist BSc (Hons)

Stevie graduated in 2009 in a degree in Sports Therapy at the University Of Birmingham.  Stevie sees general muscular conditions and joint pains as well as sports, Pre-Event / Post Event massage.  Stevie treats with sport and remedial massage, mobilisations and occasionally 'dry needling' acupuncture if needed.  Acupuncture can be used for pain relief, it can relieve tight muscle tissue, facia, ligament and tendons. It can improve wellbeing and relaxation and also encourage muscles to activate.

She is also a Pilates instructor and runs a Pilates class. Stevie is also qualified in pre and post natal exercise, which really helped when having her son.

Stevie has also participated in sports such as rowing at national level, hockey, rugby, running and general gym strengthening.

Outside of work Stevie loves to be outdoors and spending time with her family and adorable pets.

Alexa Duckworth-Briggs

Alexa qualified in Sports and Remedial Massage at the London School of Sports Massage in 2016. Alexa has worked in Reading based practices alongside the physiotherapy teams since then as well as running her own business from home. She looks after a whole range of people with massage, from those with stiffness and pain or those doing sports through to working alongside the physiotherapy team to help with rehabilitation.

Alexa is also a UK Athletics Running Coach, working with all levels of runner on their training programmes and ongoing coaching as well as technique analysis and face to face coaching sessions. She loves running, especially trail and longer distance events and is enjoying introducing her dog to all the trail routes in the area. She's lived in and around Reading with her husband for 9 years.

Alexa also gives nutrition advice and works as an Outdoor Leader, often alongside Duke of Edinburgh's Award groups in the summer.

Peter Wiseman

Doctor of Chiropractic (DC)

Peter’s journey into chiropractic began through his own experiences with injury, recovery, and performance. With a background as a Level 3 Personal Trainer and swimming teacher, he later worked as an arborist while serving as a retained firefighter in Henley-on-Thames. During his training at the AECC University College, he also served with the The Rifles.

Peter takes a practical, movement-focused approach to care, helping people recover from injury, build resilience, and return to the activities that matter to them. He has a particular interest in working with active adults — whether that’s getting back to the gym, improving performance,or simply staying strong and pain-free in everyday life.

His treatment style combines hands-on care with a strong emphasis on rehabilitation. He uses a range of techniques tailored to the individual, including diversified adjustments, soft tissue therapy, dry needling, kinesio taping, and structured rehab programmes, alongside clear advice to support long-term results.

While Peter enjoys working with active individuals and sports-related injuries, he treats a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions and welcomes anyone looking to move better and feel better.

Outside the clinic, Peter has a passion for training and performance. He recently completed the XTERRA Snowdonia Trail Marathon Eryriultra marathon and competed in HYROX London, and is currently training for a triathlon. When he’s not in clinic, he can usually be found running, cycling,or in the gym.

Simone Schafer

B.Sc (Hons) in Physiotherapy

Simone graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand, SouthAfrica in 2013 with a B.Sc (Hons) in Physiotherapy and completed her communityservice in hospital rotations in 2014. In 2016 she did a postgraduatecertification in Sports Physiotherapy to specialise in musculoskeletal andsports injury assessment and treatment. In 2017 she did another postgraduatecertification in Orthopaedic Manipulative therapy to specialize into theassessment and treatment of neuro-MSK and chronic pain conditions. In 2019 shecompleted her certification as a BASI mat Pilates instructor. Over the yearsshe  also done various courses in dry needling, taping and injuryrehabilitation.

Simone has always been passionate about working with sports peopleand teams. She spent 8 years working in secondary schools in South Africa whereshe treated sporty adolescents individually. She also worked closely with theschool  rugby teams, working pitch side and travelling with them forfixtures. She also worked and travelled with a professional rugby academy as apart of their medical team.

Simone moved to the UK in 2023 where she works predominantly inmusculoskeletal clinics. In October 2025 she took on the role of seniorphysiotherapist and Head of Medical at Chinnor rugby club who compete in theEnglish Champs division. 

Outside of physiotherapy, Simone has always enjoyed playing sportand in her youth played football, cricket, netball, volleyball and danced. Shestill plays football, and recently joined the Goring ladies team. She is alsokept busy and active by her young daughter.

Jess Tame

BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy

Jess graduated in 2024 from the University of Winchester with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy. During her time at university, she also achieved her Level 3 Sports Massage qualification in 2023. Jess went on to establish her own sports massage business in January 2024, gaining valuable experience working with a wide range of clients.

During her training, Jess completed clinical placements across multiple settings, including musculoskeletal outpatients, community physiotherapy, high-dependency respiratory care, hand therapy, and elderly rehabilitation wards. She also spent time supporting a Parkinson’s exercise class during 2024, gaining experience working with individuals with long-term neurological conditions and supporting them to stay active and fit.

Outside of physiotherapy, Jess enjoys travelling to new places around the world. She was also a competitive swimmer for eight years and enjoys playing a variety of other sports in her free time. 

Erin Gavin

BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy

Erin graduated from Brunel University London in 2024 with a First-Class Honours degree in Physiotherapy, where she gained extensive clinical experience across a range of health care settings. She also holds a Level 3 qualification in Sports Massage, enhancing her ability to deliver effective, hands-on treatment.

Her clinical training includes placements in orthopaedics, women’s health, and pulmonary rehabilitation, where she developed a well-rounded, evidence-based approach to assessment and treatment. Erin is dedicated to providing tailored, patient-centred care, combining clinical expertise with a focus on long-term outcomes and performance optimisation.

Prior to transitioning into physiotherapy, Erin enjoyed a successful 10-year career as a professional ballet dancer, performing both nationally and internationally. This background has given her a unique insight into movement quality, injury prevention, and the physical demands placed on the body, particularly within high-performance and artistic disciplines. Her dance experience continues to shape her clinical practice,allowing her to combine evidence-based physiotherapy with an in-depth understanding of biomechanics and performance.

Erin is passionate about delivering personalised, patient-centred care and empowering individuals to play an active role in their rehabilitation. Erin’s goal is always to help each person return to the activities they value most, stronger and more resilient than before.

Outside of the clinic, Erin enjoys spending time with her young son who keeps her very busy but still enjoys dancing and goingto the theatre when she can.

Diagnose. Treat. Recover.