PHILOSOPHY
There is a gap in the continuum of care in the traditional healthcare model. Conventional physical therapy may get you feeling better but there is no bridge to get you from this point to performing at your desired level. I am here to fill that gap. I want to be your physical therapist throughout your journey and beyond. I will make sure you have all of the resources that you need to feel empowered and confident in your ability to achieve your unique goals. I believe that you are the priority and that you deserve one on one care with a Doctor of Physical Therapy at any and every stage of your journey, and that is what you will receive when working with me.
DR. ALICIA MACDONALD, PT, DPT, MTC, CSCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy, Certified Manual Therapist, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Originally from Florida’s Space Coast, I came to Portland by way of Central Arkansas. I received my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of St. Augustine in 2012 and returned in 2014 to receive my Manual Therapy Certification. I have extensive experience in orthopedic physical therapy and have managed and mentored teams of orthopedic physical therapists. I had wanted to venture out and start my own business for a while in order to provide a higher level of one-on-one care to my clients. The move to Portland felt like the right time to take that plunge. The difference I am able to make with my patients when I have the time to devote to them, and their unique needs, is incredible.
As an avid climber myself, I enjoy working with climbers of any type and level; assisting with everything from performance assessments and training, to injury prevention and recovery; helping them to reach their goals and send their projects.
I also have a passion for working with pregnant and postpartum clients. I believe that these individuals often do not receive the education and treatment that they deserve. The impact that receiving physical therapy treatment can have on their lives is remarkable.
In my free time, I take every opportunity available to get outdoors with my husband and two dogs. Trad and sport climbing are my passions, but my love of the outdoors and travel encompasses everything from skiing to sailing.
PROUD MEMBER OF:
TESTIMONIALS
I had the pleasure of working with Dr. MacDonald over the last 3 years (2017-2020). I first came to know her after needing help with a hip injury from childbirth. As a fellow healthcare professional, I found Dr. MacDonald to be compassionate, tenacious and extremely knowledgeable not only of the body but of dynamic and innovative ways to rehabilitate it. She would only accept a full return to my desired activities as treatment success and after 2 separate 6-month stints with her, I was not only back to my usual activities but found myself running the fastest miles of my life! Through the years and various minor sports-related injuries/concerns, she never made me feel silly for needing her services again and only worked with the same determination and commitment to my healing. She is collaborative, compassionate, intelligent, and tailors her skills & knowledge to meet her patient’s personal needs and goals. I would recommend her to my friends, family, and patients alike. — J.P.
I was recommended to Alicia after fighting a back injury for far too long and I am so thankful to have found her. She was empathetic and kind through my recovery, helped me understand what was going on with my body, and carefully personalized treatment; which set me up for success in my active lifestyle and physical job. It always felt like Alicia truly cared about my well-being, she asked all the right questions and ensured we were consistently on the same page. Alicia helped me transition seamlessly from recovery mode into training for a long-distance hike-something that I love but had been stressed to take on after struggling with both knee and back issues in the past year. She was encouraging yet straightforward with what I should expect from my body on a 200-mile hike and I felt more physically prepared than I ever have been. After all of our work together I am able to enjoy mountain biking, backpacking, and all of my favorite activities more than ever-Alicia is a superstar. — L.B.
As a birth doula, physical therapy is an invaluable resource for my clients. It is important to have referral options when clients need help across multiple areas during pregnancy and postpartum. Alicia would be my number one referral for ortho physical therapy. She is a compassionate person with an in-depth knowledge of her field. In addition to her expertise, she is able to engage her clients in their own care and explain function and dysfunction in the body in plain language. It is clear from my experience as a client of hers that her peers depend on her for leadership and expertise. She is passionate about her job and constantly learning and growing as a professional. I've also had multiple interactions with other clients of hers who had nothing but extremely positive things to say about their experiences. I would recommend any doula client to her for care either prenatally or postpartum.
Alicia's rapport with her clients is excellent and makes them feel heard and valued. She is creative in her approach so that clients find exercises and solutions that work for them as individuals. Her knowledge of changes in the body during and after pregnancy and birth is incredibly helpful to encourage clients to heal rather than simply accept painful changes in their functioning. She helped me personally with severe SI joint pain and hip/knee pain, which began during my first pregnancy and only worsened with my subsequent pregnancy. Her sensitivity and encouragement were key factors in my success. Alicia would be an exceptional addition to any therapy team and would be ideally suited for leadership and mentorship.
Sincerely,
Amanda Allen
Birth Included, LLC
Alicia is one of the most talented and friendliest PTs I have ever been to. Her unique and whole-body approach to physical therapy has helped me prevent/recover from chronic injuries which have been a lynchpin in my ability to enjoy and improve my running and cycling abilities. Her explanations of treatments allowed me a much better understanding of my physiology which has resulted in better sporting and day-to-day performance. I recommend Alicia to everyone I know! — B.D.