Bonifay Physical and Aquatic Therapy keeps patients moving
Northwest Florida residents experiencing life- or life-threatening medical conditions can find affordable, professional outpatient rehabilitative therapy within West Florida Electric Cooperative’s service area. Bonifay Physical and Aquatic Therapy, owned and operated by Ruben and Lorrie Laurel at 3273 Hwy. 90 in Bonifay, offers outpatient treatment as a supplement or alternative to medication or surgery. The Laurels also maintain a clinic at 1414 Main Street in Chipley and plan to open another at 951 Prim Ave. in Graceville by May 1.
Bonifay Physical and Aquatic Therapy began assisting patients in March 2003, soon after its partner clinic in Chipley opened in December 2002. "At that time, all the physical therapy centers in the area were associated with hospitals, or clients had to drive to Dothan or Panama City for physical therapy services. We thought an outpatient clinic in the area would be more affordable," explained Lorrie. "We also wanted to do some things other clinics in the area weren’t doing, like aquatic therapy."
Therapists at the Laurels’clinics work with patients of all ages to restore normal movement or function of bones, muscles, joints and nerves impaired by injury, illness, surgery, aging or other causes. They develop individualized programs to prevent injury or slow the progression of debilitative conditions, employing massage, exercise, light, heat, electrical stimulation, aquatic therapy, ultrasound, magnetic fields and more. Aquatherapy in indoor, heated pools at each facility is especially beneficial for patients hindered by osteoporosis or osteoarthritis, Lorrie noted.
In addition to complete rehabilitative services for orthopedic, neurological, cardiac, respiratory, post-operative and post-amputative patients, Bonifay and Chipley Physical and Aquatic Therapy provide services for sports and workman’s compensation injuries, as well as wound care. "We see everyone from pediatric to geriatric patients," said Lorrie. "We haven’t come across anything we couldn’t handle – and we won’t, because if we don’t know how to treat it, we’ll get someone to come in here who does."
Lorrie utilizes ten years’ experience as a licensed physical therapist, while Ruben oversees the financial aspects of the clinics’ operation. They employ two licensed physical therapists, a licensed physical therapy assistant, a licensed massage therapist and eight support personnel, one of whom is a graduate physical therapy assistant currently preparing to take licensing exams. Another licensed physical therapist will join the staff in April.
"The greatest reward in this type of work is when you see patients walk out of here with smiles on their faces. We get to earn a living working together making other people feel good," said Lorrie. "Our staff share that philosophy. None of them is here just for the paycheck."
The clinics accept all private insurance, Blue Cross/Blue Shiled, Tricare, Medicare, Medicaid and Florida Healthy Kids and will assist in coordinating transportation arrangements. For additional information, call Bonifay Physical and Aquatic Therapy at 547-4646 or Chipley Physical and Aquatic Therapy at 638-3387.
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