About Us
Carolina Strong Physical Therapy prides itself on convenient, comprehensive, and compassionate physical therapy. The owners, Michael (Mike) and Kelly Payne, along with their qualified staff, will assist you in attaining your goals through one-hour individualized treatment sessions. Their experience is in orthopedics including total joint replacements, ACL repairs, rotator cuff repairs, lumbar and cervical fusions, sports and overuse injuries, general neck and back pain, balance impairments, stroke rehabilitation, vertigo, Parkinson’s Disease and osteoporosis management. Their facilities are well designed offering individual treatment rooms for each physical therapist and a gym for strength, balance and endurance training. Carolina Strong physical therapists are passionate about physical therapy and look forward to assisting you in alleviating your pain and achieving your goals on the path to good health and wellness.
In 2014, Mike and Kelly moved to Bolivia, NC to start their own private practice. They each spent time working in outpatient and hospital settings and believed they could build a practice based on a patient model, not the ever present business model. Mike and Kelly 
believe the best results are seen with consistent, individualized, one and one treatment from a licensed physical therapist for the entire session. Helping patient’s achieve their goals is their number one priority. After the business started to grow based on this model, they were able to employ therapists who believe the same. They became physical therapists to make a difference and help patients accomplish their goals in order to live gratifying lives. Mike and Kelly loved Bolivia, Southport and their small farm; however, they moved to the Pinehurst area to expand their practice. They are excited about the addition of a new location and the ability to help as many people as possible.
Our Southport Physical Therapists and Staff
Amanda McEarl, PT, DPT- Clinical Director
Amanda is from Cary, North Carolina. She graduated from East Carolina University with her undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology. She lived in Charleston, SC for several years prior to moving to the Wilmington area. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina. She is trained to treat various orthopedic conditions, vestibular disorders and neurological impairments. She is certified in Functional Dry Needling through Evidence in Motion. Amanda enjoys being outdoors exploring our many beautiful beaches and spending time with her friends and family.
Kalen Vogler, PT, DPT
Kalen grew up in the small town of Sparta tucked into the mountains of North Carolina. She fell in love with the coast while majoring in Exercise Physiology at UNCW. She was introduced to Physical Therapy after sustaining a running injury and immediately felt a connection to the practice. Kalen graduated with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from East Carolina University, where she served on the Board of the ECU Student Run Clinic and as Volunteer Coordinator for ECU’s DPT club. As Volunteer Coordinator, Kalen created and ran projects such as ACL Injury Prevention clinics with young athletes and Backpack Safety Days with local elementary schools. Kalen has experience working with orthopedic rehab, neurological conditions, and gait and balance abnormalities. She has a special interest in pediatrics and athletes of all ages. When not at work, you can find Kalen spending time at the Crossfit gym, playing outside with her dog Pippin (a very goofy lab mix), or exploring local waterways and nature trails.
Bryant Barberry, PT, DPT
Bryant joined Carolina Strong Physical Therapy in 2021 after earning his Doctorate in Physical Therapy degree from Campbell University. Bryant graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training from Appalachian State University in 2016, Bryant worked with a variety of NCAA D1 sports teams while a student at App State, and previously worked at NCAA D2 Newberry College in SC before he attended Physical Therapy School. Bryant’s first love is athletics and orthopedics and enjoys working with a variety of patients and utilizes various treatment techniques to ensure patient’s meet their goals. Bryant is from Bennett, North Carolina and has always wanted to work in his home state and surrounding communities. Bryant loves sports and the outdoors and is actively involved in his church at home. In his free time. Bryant is a Sports Journalist and on Saturdays in the fall he can be found in Boone, NC cheering on his Appalachian State Mountaineers!
Emily Earle, PT, DPT
Emily Earle is originally from Wisconsin and attended Clarke University where she received her
Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2018. While at Clarke, she was a member of the volleyball team
and served as the team’s captain for her final two seasons. Emily found a love for rehabilitation after sustaining many injuries throughout her athletic career. She chose to pursue Physical Therapy to assist others with returning to their desired activities or sports, just as her rehabilitation team had done for her. Upon graduation, Emily relocated to Wilmington, North Carolina where she developed a passion for pelvic rehabilitation. She has completed advanced training in pelvic health for both the male and female population to address diagnoses including, but not limited to, urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, and colorectal dysfunction. Emily strives to develop a personal, yet professional, rapport
with her patients to aid in their rehabilitation on a physical, mental, and emotional level. When not working, Emily enjoys exercising, spending time at the beach, cheering on the Green Bay Packers, hiking, and playing with her dogs, Cooper and Gus. Emily currently resides in Wilmington, NC with her husband, Jake.
Advanced Training: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Chronic Pelvic Pain, Urinary & Fecal Incontinence,
Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Dyspareunia, Sacroiliac Joint
Dysfunction, Prenatal and Postpartum, and Colorectal Dysfunction
Our Southern Pines Physical Therapists and Staff
Michael “Mike” Payne, PT, DPT
Mike Payne is from Medford, New Jersey and attended Richard Stockton University where he attained his Bachelor in Science in Biology. He earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Shenandoah University in 2005. Mike started Carolina Strong Physical Therapy in Southport, NC in 2015. He is certified in functional Dry Needling, Selective Functional Movement Assessment, Functional Movement Screaning, Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization,Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization. He has taken level 1 and 2 of Myokinesthetic Movement Systems, many manual therapy courses for cervical, thoracolumbar, Sacroiliac mobilizations and manipulations, and advanced vestibular rehabilitation courses. In his free time Mike likes to spend time with Kelly and his girls, Riley and Madelyn, as well as his two dogs, Dasher and Maya. He also enjoys coaching his girls, working on his hobby farm,and doing projects around his home.
Kelly Payne, PT, DPT
Kelly Payne is from Grosse Pointe, Michigan. In search of warmer, sunnier weather, she moved to Virginia and graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelors in Science in Health Sciences. She furthered her academic career at Shenandoah University where she earned her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2007. Kelly has experience in geriatrics, pediatrics and orthopedics with an emphasis on total joint replacements, shoulder surgeries and injuries, neck and lower back pain and balance impairments. Kelly has additional training in Pilates from Australia Physiotherapy and Pilates Institute, Functional Dry Needling, and manual therapies including Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization, cupping, Active Release Techniques as well as Neuromuscular Therapy. In her free time, Kelly enjoys traveling and spending quality time with Mike, their two girls, Riley and Madelyn, and their beloved pets.
Michelle Sullivan, PT, MSPT
Michelle graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology and then went on to receive her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado. She was introduced to Physical Therapy as a young girl watching her aunt care for her cousin with Muscular Dystrophy and felt a passion to pursue the same career. While living in rural Maine, with very limited access to Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy, she struggled to receive the needed pelvic floor Physical Therapy after delivering her three boys. The lack of ability for herself and other women to access the needed care and education drove her passion to begin her Pelvic Floor specialist training. Michelle enjoys treating pelvic pain, incontinence, pregnancy and postpartum strengthening, prolapses, and orthopedically and neurologically related Pelvic Floor disorders. In addition to Pelvic Floor expertise in both men and women’s health, she is certified in Dry Needling, Pilates, an Integrative Nutrition and Health coach, as well as training with GI and bowel disorders, visceral mobilization, and myofascial release. While not at work, you can find Michelle exploring North Carolina with her partner, Paul, playing tennis, walking her dog, and visiting with her family.
Jeannine Noble, PT, DPT
Jeannine Marie Noble received her B.S in exercise physiology at Eastern Carolina and Doctorate of physical therapy at Western Carolina University. She is certified in dry needling and has worked in a variety of settings. After practicing PT for 7 years her passions include women’s health, geriatric care, and balance training. Her plan this year is to become LSVT Big certified and continue in postural restoration training. Jeannine’s passion outside of therapy include her family and saving animals.