Andrea Bickford

DPT

I grew up working with children and competitively riding horses which led me on my original career path of becoming a veterinarian. As I spent more time working in veterinary hospitals and animal shelters it became clear that was not the path for me. In my junior year of college, I began a career search for something that involved working with people, science and having the option to live in Maine. After careful consideration, and having researched every graduate program even remotely related to biology, I decided that a career Physical Therapy was right for me. I began volunteering at “Handi Kids,” a therapeutic riding facility near school, and quickly fell in love with the field.

I moved back to Maine to attend the University of New England’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and instantly knew I had made the right decision. I was so happy to be back in Maine and once again able to run outside and ski. I had grown up in Falmouth, and after 4 years away I was grateful to be back. I also fell in love with the profession of physical therapy. I love working with people in a profession where the goal is to make people’s lives better.

After graduation I worked for a short time in Portland before finding my new home here at Greater Brunswick Physical Therapy.

I have been busy since graduation taking continuing education classes. I have advanced training in both Myofascial Release Techniques through John Barnes and Muscle Energy Techniques through Sharon Giammatteo, Ph.D., I.M.T., C. Most recently I have had studied with the North American Institute of Manual Therapy to add to my spinal and peripheral joint mobilization skills.

I enjoy hiking, skiing, kayaking, mountain biking, traveling and running. I bought my first house here in Brunswick where I live with my dog Kodi. She is currently in training to become a “Pet Partner” through the Delta Society, whose mission is to, “help people throughout the world become healthier and happier by incorporating therapy, service and companion animals into their lives.”(Delta Society www.deltasociety.org )

Education

• University of New England, Portland, Maine
  Doctor of Physical Therapy (2008)
• Stonehill College, Easton, Massachusetts
  B.S. Biology(2005)
• University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland (2003)

Courses

• Level II: Intermediate Lower Quadrant, North American Institute of Manual Therapy, Gail Molloy, PT, OSC, COMT (February 19-21st and March 12-14th, 2010)
• Level I : Differential Diagnosis in Orthopedic Manual Therapy, North American Institute of Manual Therapy, Gail Molloy, PT, OSC, COMT ( September 11-13 and October 9-11, 2009)
• Muscle Energy for the Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar Spine and Pelvis, Connecticut school of Integrative Manual Therapy,  Giammatteo, Ph.D., I.M.T.,C. (July/August 2009)
• Myofascial Release I –John Barnes (July 2008)
• Pregnancy and Musculoskeletal Disorders (April 2008)