Quality care with a personal touch is what you’ll find when you visit Orion Physical Therapy.
With their grand opening on July 7, physical therapists Kent Allion and Brett Debo are happy to have their own practice together in the community where they have both worked for many years. Allion met Debo after he did an affiliation (as a student) with the former Prescription Fitness, where Debo was a technician.
“My first position was there, and we became friends,” Allion said.
A Hillsdale native, Allion is a licensed physical therapist and certified athletic trainer, having earned a bachelor of science degree in Sports Medicine and a master of science in Physical Therapy from Central Michigan University. Debo, a Clarkston native, graduated from Oakland University with a BS in Exercise Science and a master’s in Physical Therapy.
Both Allion and Debo specialize in osteopathic manual therapy for the spine and extremities, a unique approach that involves a hands-on technique and more time spent with the patient. The two were trained in the technique by the University of Michigan, where they continue their study.
“People who have neck and back pain…that’s one of our specialties,” Allion said. “We’d both practiced in this area for a while, and had progressed in a larger corporate area by becoming directors.
“It was one of our goals to open up a practice together,” he said. “Our style is very manually-based, we do a lot of hands-on care.”
Orion Physical Therapy offers treatment in general orthopedics, sports medicine, TMJ (jaw disorders), pre and post operative joint care, work related injuries, outpatient care and chronic pain.
“We both practice and have been taught the same style of therapy, and manual care is what we do,” Debo said. “We are continuing our education.”
“We’ve taken off very well and we’re off to a good start,” said Allion. “Having been in the community many years, we’ve developed a following.”
Allion has worked as a physical therapist for five years and as an athletic trainer for eight. Debo has been a physical therapist for four years.
Orion Physical Therapy has joined the Orion Area Chamber of Commerce and say they are anxious to become active in the community.
“One thing is through the Orion Library, they contacted us and were wondering if we could put on an education in service,” Allion said. “We are also looking at doing career day through the schools.”
All of the treatment at Orion Physical Therapy is done by physical therapists. Allion said they stress “continuity of care.”
“When a patient comes in and has their initial evaluation with a therapist, we want them to stick with that therapist through their course of care,” he said. “It’s amazing the friendships we’ve developed through patients.”
“We’ve been very happy,” said Debo. “We can’t complain. The community has been supportive.
“My wife is from Lake Orion…we have strong ties to this community,” he said.
Debo and his wife Sarah, along with 13-month-old son Gabriel, live on the border of Orion and Auburn Hills, while Allion and his wife Kelly, along with one-year-old son Zachary, live on the border of Orion and Oxford.
“We want to provide quality patient care and to work for the community,” Debo said.
Orion Physical Therapy is located at 1210 S. Lapeer Road in the Buffalo Wild Wings Plaza. Hours are 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., and 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday. Some Saturday hours are available upon request. The phone number is 814-8060.