THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 3, 1995 TAG: 9505020129
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Physical therapist Mike McCombs was mending muscles of patients in Isle of Wight County long before he ever had an office here.
``We have always had a lot of home health patients in the Smithfield and Carrollton areas,'' said McCombs, who works in Physical Therapy Works' new Isle of Wight office.
Expanding into the county seemed a natural way for the Suffolk-based private rehabilitation company to grow, McCombs said. Physical Therapy Works opened April 17 in Smithfield Plaza, 1250 Benns Church Blvd.
The firm is outfitted with equipment to help patients rebuild muscle motor skills injured through accidents, strokes and a variety of neurological disorders. Physical therapy patients, who must be referred by doctors, have access to a full gym and equipment, including heat ultrasound and electrical stimulation, in the Smithfield office, McCombs said.
Physical Therapy Works is one of a growing number of private rehabilitation firms that operate in Hampton Roads without ties to hospitals or physician group practices, McComb said.
There are already two physical therapy firms in northern Isle of Wight County: Carrollton Physical Therapy and Smithfield Physical Therapy Associates. But McCombs says the county's growing population can easily support a third physical therapy business.
``Business will be picking up in no time,'' he said. ``It just takes time for physicians to get to know where we are.''
McCombs worked at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for several years before joining Physical Therapy Works last October. He graduated from Old Dominion University's physical therapy program in 1990. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Mike McCombs mends muscles at Physical Therapy Works, which opened
April 17 in Smithfield Plaza.
by CNB