Florence, SC

Physical Therapy in Florence, SC

Our Florence clinic is on West Palmetto Street, with the largest care team in our practice.

It is also where two board-certified specialists practice: Matt Ferguson, PT, DPT, SCS, a Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist and our Clinical Director, and Dr. Edwin Belser, PT, DPT, OCS, OMT-C, a Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist.

Whether you are recovering from surgery, training for something, 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 Florence 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.

Two board-certified specialists

Board certification in physical therapy requires additional clinical hours, a specialty examination, and demonstrated expertise beyond a doctorate. Most physical therapists do not hold one. Florence has two.

Matt Ferguson, PT, DPT, SCS is a Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist — the recognized specialty certification for sports physical therapy. He has practiced for over fifteen years and has called Florence home since 2010.

Dr. Edwin Belser, PT, DPT, OCS, OMT-C is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist with additional certification in orthopedic manual therapy.

Athletes and fitness

Matt competes in Hyrox races around the country — a hybrid format combining running with functional strength stations. He trains the way his patients train, which tends to change the conversation about return to sport.

If you lift, run, compete, or train hard and have been told to stop, that is usually the wrong plan. The better question is what you can keep doing while the injured tissue recovers, and how to get back to full load without repeating whatever caused the problem.

Gymnastics and running

Dr. Mason Chase treats gymnasts and runners at our Florence clinic. She has sixteen years of clinical experience and a lifelong background in both sports. Matt Ferguson, PT, DPT, SCS, a board-certified Sports Clinical Specialist, also sees endurance athletes here. Learn more about physical therapy for runners and endurance athletes.

Gymnastics places demands on the body that generic rehabilitation does not account for — extreme range of motion, repetitive high-impact landing, and returning to skills that require full confidence in a joint. Running injuries are rarely about the tissue that hurts, but about how you load it, how often, and what changed before the pain started.

Manual therapy

Dr. Belser holds an OMT-C certification in orthopedic manual therapy — hands-on joint mobilization and soft tissue work used to restore motion and reduce pain.

Hands-on treatment opens a window. Exercise is what keeps it open. We use both.

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

What does Board-Certified Sports Clinical Specialist mean?

SCS is a board certification in sports physical therapy requiring additional clinical hours, a specialty examination, and demonstrated expertise beyond a physical therapy doctorate. Matt Ferguson holds it.

What does Orthopedic Certified Specialist mean?

OCS is the equivalent board certification in orthopedics. Dr. Edwin Belser holds it, along with OMT-C certification in orthopedic manual therapy.

Do you treat gymnasts?

Yes. Dr. Mason Chase treats gymnasts and runners at our Florence clinic and has a lifelong background in both sports.

Do you work with runners?

Yes. Dr. Chase treats runners, and Matt Ferguson works with endurance and hybrid-fitness athletes.

Do you treat everyday injuries, or only athletes?

Most of our patients come to us with back pain, knee pain, shoulder problems, or post-surgical recovery. The sports work is in addition to general orthopedic care, not instead of it.

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.