Lake City, SC

Physical Therapy in Lake City, SC

Our Lake City clinic is on Sauls Street, serving Lake City and the surrounding Pee Dee communities.

It is where Dr. Nicole Hayes practices, treating neurological conditions including Parkinson’s disease alongside general orthopedics, and where Dr. Edwin Belser, PT, DPT, OCS, OMT-C, a Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist, sees patients regularly.

Whether you are recovering from surgery, managing a long-term condition, or dealing with pain that has not resolved on its own, you will work one-on-one with a licensed clinician at every visit.

What we treat

Most of what we do in Lake City is general outpatient orthopedics — the everyday injuries and conditions that make normal life harder than it should be.

• Back and neck pain, including sciatica and disc-related symptoms
• Knee and hip pain, arthritis, and joint replacement recovery
• Shoulder injuries, rotator cuff problems, and frozen shoulder
• Foot and ankle injuries, plantar fasciitis, and ankle sprains
• Post-surgical rehabilitation, working from your surgeon’s protocol
• Work injuries and South Carolina workers’ compensation cases
• Sports injuries at every level, from youth through adult recreational
• Balance problems and fall prevention

If you are not sure whether physical therapy is right for what you are dealing with, an evaluation will tell us. We would rather say so honestly than start a plan of care that is not going to help.

Parkinson’s and neurological conditions

Dr. Nicole Hayes treats patients with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions at our Lake City clinic.

Physical therapy for Parkinson’s focuses on movement quality, balance, and maintaining function over time. Research consistently supports exercise as part of managing the condition, and the work is ongoing rather than a short course of visits.

We also treat balance problems, gait changes, and mobility loss following a stroke or other neurological event.

Care for older adults

A significant part of our Lake City practice is working with older adults — on balance, fall prevention, strength, joint replacement recovery, and staying independent at home.

Falls are not an inevitable part of getting older. Balance is trainable, and strength can be rebuilt at any age. An evaluation will tell us where the risk actually sits.

Board-certified orthopedic care

Dr. Edwin Belser, PT, DPT, OCS, OMT-C practices regularly at Lake City. He is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist with additional certification in orthopedic manual therapy — a credential requiring additional clinical hours, examination, and demonstrated expertise beyond a physical therapy doctorate.

Sports and strength

John Swinton, PTA is a former State Champion wrestler with a background in strength training, functional movement, and lower extremity rehabilitation.

Dr. Caroline Brown combines exercise science with a background in psychology, which matters more than it might sound for persistent pain — how you think about pain affects how you move, and how you move affects how much it hurts.

What to expect at your first visit

Plan for about 60 minutes. We will talk through your history, watch how you move, and test strength, range of motion, and joint mechanics. You will leave with an explanation of what is driving your symptoms, a plan for addressing it, and treatment started the same day — not just a printout of exercises.

Wear clothes you can move in. If your knee hurts, bring shorts. If it is your shoulder, a tank top helps.

Bring your insurance card, photo ID, and any imaging or surgical reports. If you have a referral or prescription, bring that too.

Insurance and cost

We accept Medicare Part B, South Carolina Medicaid, most commercial plans, and South Carolina workers’ compensation.

If you are on Medicare, we will explain your coverage and any expected out-of-pocket before treatment starts, not after.

Common questions

Do you treat Parkinson’s disease?

Yes. Dr. Nicole Hayes treats patients with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions at our Lake City clinic, focusing on movement quality, balance, and maintaining function.

Do you help with balance and fall prevention?

Yes. Balance and fall prevention is a significant part of our Lake City practice. Balance is trainable and strength can be rebuilt at any age.

Do you have a board-certified specialist?

Yes. Dr. Edwin Belser is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) with additional manual therapy certification, and he practices regularly at Lake City.

Do you take Medicare?

Yes. We accept Medicare Part B and will verify your benefits before your first visit.

Do you treat workers’ compensation injuries?

Yes. We work with South Carolina workers’ comp cases and coordinate directly with your employer and case manager.

Can I see a physical therapist for an injury that happened years ago?

Yes. Persistent pain often responds well to treatment even when it has been present a long time. An evaluation will tell us whether physical therapy is the right approach.

How long is a first appointment?

About 60 minutes. That covers a full evaluation, a discussion of your goals, and starting treatment the same day — you will not leave with only a printout of exercises.

Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist?

In most cases, no. South Carolina allows you to start physical therapy without a physician referral, and most plans cover it that way. Some plans do require one, and Medicare requires a physician to sign off on your plan of care. We verify your specific benefits before your first visit and tell you exactly what yours needs.