Carolina Strong Physical Therapy

Michael Payne, PT, DPT
Kelly Payne, PT, DPT
3960 Executive Park Blvd.
Suite 5
Southport, NC 28461
(910) 375-5748
(910) 375-5761-fax

We are aware that Brunswick County is one of the fastest growing counties in North Carolina. We are also aware that retirees are playing a major role in this growth. The sad part is that many of these retirees now have aches and pains they didn’t have a few years ago. The good news is Carolina Strong Physical Therapy has recently opened their office in Southport.


The facility is well designed and equipped to provide individualized quality treatment. Michael (Mike) Payne and wife, Kelly are both well educated, trained and experienced to assist patients’ by reducing pain, improving function, and returning to activities of enjoyment.


Michael Payne, PT, DPT
• Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University 2005
• BS in Biology from Richard Stockton University, NJ
• Certified in Functional Dry Needling since 2011
• Certified in Selective Functional Movement Assessment since 2011
• Certified in Functional Movement Screening since 2011
• Additional training in joint replacements, cervical, SI joint, lumbar, and lower extremity mobilization/manipulations, as well as overuse injuries and vestibular impairments.

Kelly Payne, PT, DPT
• Graduated from JMU, VA with her BS in Health Science and a minor in Biology. 2003
• Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University 2007
• Experienced in pediatrics, neurological rehabilitation, outpatient physical therapy with emphasis on total joint replacements, low back pain and balance impairments. Additional training in Neuromuscular Therapy, balance impairments, traumatic brain injuries and stroke rehabilitation.


Mike and Kelly lived in Winchester VA for 4 years separately prior to moving to Wilmington NC in 2006/2007. They started dating in 2007 and married in 2009. In 2010 they were expecting their first child, Riley, and decided they should move back to Winchester Va. to be closer to both of their families (Kelly's in Detroit MI and Mike’s in Winchester VA and south NJ.). They never felt like they were home in Winchester VA and continued to have dreams of moving back to NC eventually. Their move to NC was precipitated by Mike’s dad moving to Brunswick County to retire. They selected Brunswick County because it is still underdeveloped compared to Wilmington. Oak Island still has a small beach town feel like Mike remembers from the South Jersey Shore. They luckily found a house with the best of both worlds, a beach nearby and some land for a small farm.