Nichole King is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and currently resides in Virginia Beach, VA where she has devoted over 10 years of practice to Orthopedic and Sports Medicine.  She has a specialty certification in Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling (MFTrPDN) and is a Certified Integrated Manual Therapist (CIMT),  which support her treatment style of one-on-one expert care to help each client recover more quickly in order to return to a fulfilling and inspired lifestyle.

After 10 years of directing outpatient clinics in the corporate world, Nichole has begun a new journey as an owner with Best Life Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, where she is truly able to live out her passion of providing patient specific programs and addressing individual needs. Nichole’s mission speaks for itself….to provide community education and comprehensive whole-body treatment to meet and advance wellness/fitness goals so that she can take patients to the next level, helping  them to “Live Their Best Life.”  Nichole is Direct Access certified, which allows patients immediate access to physical therapy, saving time and money, and ultimately resulting in quicker recovery.

She provides in-services and educational seminars throughout Hampton Roads for various organizations to reach her community, especially those who are restricted to their access to health care.

While serving as an ambassador with GIELD INC, the Global Institute of Empowerment and Leadership Development, whose mission is to enrich educate and empower quality leaders within the church and society for today and tomorrow, she recently lead the health component  to a children’s summer camp in Norfolk, VA.

Nichole practices what she preaches by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and is currently a natural bodybuilding competitor, holding a professional title with the American Natural Bodybuilding Federation, as well as representing various organizations as a sponsored athlete.

When Nichole is not working toward establishing her legacy in the health field, she is active in her local church and enjoys traveling, listening to live music, being outdoors and spending time with her family and friends. 

Gina has been practing since 2003 when she graduated with the first Doctoral prgram at MCV/VCU.  She founded Best Life Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine in 2012.  She is honored to continue to have the opportunity to change lives through physical therapy.  

Specialties:

• Return to Sports Physical Therapy for the athlete
• Manual therapy for the treatment of ANY type of musculoskeletal pain
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• Neck/spine differential diagnoses and mobilization- UNIQUE care which you cannot find elsewhere! 
• TMJ Pain (TMD/CMD)
• Rehabilitation of the Runner
• Pre/Post-natal Rehab, Vertigo, Neck & Back, Plantar Fasciitis, Shoulder & Knee Pain

Professional development:

• Differential Diagnosis and Treatment of TMD/CMD
• Biomechanical Evaluation of the Golf Swing
• Rehabilitation of the Pediatric Athlete; Rehabilitation of Running Injuries; Rehabilitation of the Female Athlete
• Pre/Postnatal Rehabilitation
• Differential Diagnosis and Manual Therapy of the SI Joint and Lumbar Spine; Differential Diagnosis and Manual Therapy of the Shoulder; Differential Diagnosis and Manual Therapy of the Knee; Diagnosis and Treatment of TMJ Disorders; Obstetric Physical Therapy; Vestibular Rehab Interventions; Diagnosis and Treatment of BPPV

Education: 

Medical College of Virginia (Virginia Commonwealth University) Richmond, VA

                        Doctor of Physical Therapy, 2003 

Universityof Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

                  Bachelor of Arts, 2000

Meghan has a specialty certification in Myofascial Trigger Point Dry Needling (MFTrPD). She received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA in 2015, and then went on to complete her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, VA in 2018.

Driven by personal experience while in high school, Meghan experienced several injuries that prevented her from completing her sports season; she developed an aspiration to help others recover from injuries quicker and return to their daily life with more comfort and fulfillment.

Her clinical experience was gained in both a skilled nursing facility and outpatient clinics, including Best Life Physical Therapy. It was while she was at Best Life Physical Therapy she discovered her true passion and desire to provide one-on-one – individualized care for each patient she serves.  

She is interested in furthering her education in the physical therapy field with manual therapy and dry needling certifications in order to continue to support the care that is key to Best Life Physical Therapy.

Francesca is the clinic director of our new satellite office located at 550 First Colonial Rd in Virginia Beach.  
 

Francesca is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialities, and Certified Athletic Trainer. She is a California native who completed her undergraduate work at Chapman University with a bachelor of science degree in Athletic Training and dual minors in Psychology and Nutrition in 2009.

Francesca maintains an active license as a certified athletic trainer (ATC), and has an affinity for working with athletes of all ages and all skill levels, providing sideline game day coverage and treating overuse injuries, post operative conditions, concussion management and injury prevention techniques from little leaguers to professional athletes and Olympians.   Francesca went on to earn her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree (DPT) from the University of Southern California in 2012 (go Trojans!), and became a board certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties Therapy in June 2019.  

With a strong background in orthopedics and sports medicine, combined with her love for learning, skill development and dedication to the art of physical therapy practice, she has completed education programs and certifications in the following areas:  
- ROCK tape for fascial movement taping (level I & II)   

- ROCK Blades for soft tissue mobilization techniques and cupping   

- TRX training   

- Personalized Blood Flow Restriction Training through Owens Recovery Science   

- Custom Splint Fabrication for hand/upper extremity injuries (non and post operative) 

- Dry Needling (Level 1 Certified)   

After leaving her directorship position at a high volume sports orthopedic clinic in San Diego to move to Virginia in 2018, she began working as a travel physical therapist in South Carolina, Louisiana, Kansas and Montana before finding her permanent home with the team at Best Life Physical Therapy in 2019. In her free time she enjoys hiking, crossfit, SUP, reading, camping, visiting National Parks across the country, doing home renovation projects, traveling, and exploring her new home state of Virginia with her husband and dog.  

Stefanie received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in La Crosse, WI in 2015, and then went on to complete her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Arcadia University in Glenside, PA in 2019. She developed her passion for physical therapy while working as an aide alongside her mom, who is also a PT. It was from this experience that made Stefanie realize that she loves working with people to help improve their quality of life, while also sharing life experiences with one another. Her clinical experience has been in acute care as well as outpatient clinics. It was in her last outpatient clinical where Stefanie grew to love vestibular therapy. Vestibular therapy is something that truly gives back quality of life to the person affected, whether it is abolishing vertigo, reducing fall risk, or improving balance confidence. Stefanie will be dry neediing certified in November, which will allow her to provide the level of care that Best Life Physical Therapy strives to provide. 

Chris is a New York native who received his Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology from State University at Albany, NY in 2010 and then went on to receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Sage College in Troy, NY in 2014. He moved to the Virginia Beach in the summer of 2014 to be with his wife who is from the Virginia Beach area. Prior to starting with Best Life in October of 2019 Chris practiced for five years as a Sports Medicine Physical Therapist for CHKD treating the pediatric and adolescent athletes with various conditions which include overuse injuries, concussion/vestibular disorders and post operative conditions. He is currently working as the Director for the satellite location at Flex Gym.

Special Interests:

-Return to sport rehabilitation for athletes
-Manual therapy for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain
-Post-surgical rehabilitation
-Sacroiliac joint pain
Certifications and Continuing Education:
-Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS through NSCA)
-Functional Dry Needling (Level 1 Certified through Kinetacore)- to be completed Nov. 2019
-Evaluation and Treatment for the Sacroiliac Joint

-Biomechanics and treatment of the foot and ankle

Stacey is ART (Active Release Techniques) certified. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania in 2007. Throughout college and following graduation she worked as a Rehab tech in a variety of PT settings ranging from geriatrics, aquatics to general orthopedics. She also participated in many marketing events as well. She continued her passion for fitness as a certified Personal Trainer from 2007-2012. Stacey then furthered her education by earning an Associates degree in Allied Health from Tidewater Community College, Virginia Beach, Virginia in 2015 where she then became a Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant. Stacey is a member of the Physical Therapy Association and has experience in outpatient sports rehab, general orthopedics, pediatrics, and geriatrics. She has also had clinical experiences in acute care focusing on neurological rehabilitation and home health.

Education:

• Associates in Allied Health, Virginia Beach, VA, Physical Therapist Assistant, 2015
• American Fitness Professional Association,Certified Personal Trainer, 2007-2012
• Widener University, Chester, PA, Bachelor of Science in Biology, 2007

Specialties and Areas of Interest:

• Return to Sports Physical Therapy for the athlete
• Manual therapy for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain
• Post-surgical rehabilitation
• SI joint pain
• Balance and gait 
• Neck & Back, Plantar Fasciitis, Shoulder & Knee Pain
• Taping techniques to inhibit/activate muscles, decrease pain, and promote stability within the joint

Hilary Cuccaro, BSPTA, graduated from Carrington College in Pleasant Hill, CA in 2013, with clinical rotations in outpatient and skilled nursing settings. After graduation, she began her career working in outpatient orthopedic clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area where she developed her skills in managing work and sport related injuries, postoperative rehab, fall prevention/balance training and other orthopedic conditions. In 2017 she decided to further her education and earned a Bachelor’s in Health Science in 2019 from Northern Arizona University.

Hilary moved to Virginia when her husband received orders with the Navy and joined the team at Best Life Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine in February, 2019. When she is not at work, she loves traveling, hiking and hanging out with her dog, Brady. (Yes, named after the best quarterback in the NFL, according to her husband).

Hilary has spent the last several years gaining hands on experience as well as staying committed to education and professional development by taking continuing education courses. Her passion is in teaching patients about their body and helping them to fully recover so that they can live a life they love!