Julianne Alford, MHA, PT, ATRIC

Meet Julianne

Julianne Alford, MHA, PT, ATRIC, is a physical therapist, aquatic educator, and Clinical Director for aquatic care at RPM Rehab Spokane. She earned her Physical Therapy degree from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master's in Hospital Administration from Chapman University. After specializing in neurological rehabilitation in Southern California, she led multi-site rehab operations across skilled nursing, inpatient, home health, and outpatient settings in rural Northern California — then brought that systems mind to the pool.

In Spokane she worked with Dr. Bruce Becker, PM&R, as an aquatic therapy provider. She continues academic work with him, authored a chapter in his aquatics text, and still teaches with him internationally. She studied aquatic therapy in Europe, holds Master Certification in Ai Chi, Burdenko, Halliwick, and Bad Ragaz, trained in Watsu, and developed aquatic applications for Feldenkrais, Pilates, and Yoga. ATRIC-certified, she has taught aquatics for ATRIC and with Dr. Becker around the world. She trained with Aquatic Therapy University and became a fully certified ATU instructor in 2017.

Julianne consults with Eastern Washington University and internationally on training and certification for physical therapists, physicians, and exercise physiologists, and advises therapeutic pool companies and medical facilities on site development and staff training. Clinically she specializes in spinal rehabilitation and failed back surgeries, SI and shoulder dysfunction using muscle energy and manual techniques in water, and women's health — including pelvic floor care, pre- and post-delivery needs, and geriatric bone health.

Her accomplishments

Highlights from a career teaching therapists and physicians how to work in the water — in Spokane, across the U.S., and internationally.

Spokane campus

Julianne practices and leads aquatic care at RPM Rehab Spokane Aquatics (765 E. Holland Ave #3, Spokane, WA). Learners meet her educator voice through ATU faculty work and her public teaching with Dr. Becker and ATRIC — grounded in the same warm-water clinic where she treats every week.