Physical therapy and rehabilitation specialists in Myrtle Beach

Grand Strand Health provides inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services to help patients regain strength, range of motion and/or function following surgery or a debilitating injury. We offer a variety of rehab programs, including physical, occupational speech/language, swallowing and lymphedema therapy.

Recognition

Grand Strand Medical Center is recognized as being certified for stroke rehabilitation by the Joint Commission, a leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in the United States.

For more information about our physical therapy and rehabilitation services or to schedule an appointment, call our Consult-A-Nurse team at (843) 692-4444.

Inpatient rehabilitation center

Virtual tours

Rehabilitation is a combination of medical care, therapy and education. Our goal at the Inpatient Rehabilitation Center is to help you overcome limitations brought on by an injury or illness. We want you to return to normal activities as soon as possible.

Our therapy team provides care using the latest techniques and technologies. Our program is designed to help with acute injuries and chronic conditions, such as:

You are not alone when facing the challenges of rehabilitation. Our social workers meet with you and your family throughout treatment, discuss your discharge goals and provide assistance in making adjustments necessary for home and family life. All patients at our center have their own rooms and baths, ensuring plenty of privacy and rest following therapy.

Outpatient rehabilitation

Outpatient physical therapy is available at the north entrance of our Grand Strand Medical Center campus. A physician's consultation is required for outpatient physical therapy services.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy aims to restore maximum physical function and enable you to return to an active lifestyle as quickly as possible. We focus on restoring movement, relieving pain and preventing further illness and injury. Physical therapy is beneficial in the treatment of:

  • Balance disorders
  • Chronic pain and diseases, such as cancer
  • Orthopedic issues, including sports injuries
  • Traumatic injuries

Occupational therapy

Our occupational therapists help you maximize independence and safety with a focus on completing activities at home and at work. We provide:

  • Customized treatment programs aimed at improving your ability to complete activities of daily living
  • Comprehensive evaluations of home and work environments
  • Recommendations on necessary home/work adaptations and guidance for family members and caregivers

Speech/language therapy

Speech and language therapy is often recommended after a traumatic or debilitating injury or illness that affects a person's ability to speak, such as a stroke. Our speech therapists develop individualized programs to help improve our patients':

  • Cognitive abilities
  • Communication abilities
  • Confidence
  • Independence
  • Speech quality

Swallowing therapy

Swallowing therapy helps improve the overall function of swallowing, which is important for airway protection, muscle strength and eating/drinking. Difficulty swallowing, also known as dysphagia, can commonly occur in individuals who have experienced a:

  • Head and neck cancer diagnosis
  • Neurodegenerative disease
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Stroke
  • Traumatic brain injury

Lymphedema therapy

Lymphedema is a condition that results in swelling, most commonly in the arms or legs. It occurs because of damage to lymph vessels or when lymph nodes are removed as part of cancer treatment. Lymphedema is separate from other forms of swelling, such as swelling following kidney failure, a cardiac condition or improper functioning of the vein valve.

Primary lymphedema

Primary lymphedema is inherited, meaning the lymphatic system does not develop properly. It can appear:

  • During infancy (called Milroy’s disease, or congenital lymphedema)
  • During puberty, during pregnancy or up until a person is 35 years old (called Meige’s disease, or lymphedema praecox)
  • After a person is 35 years old (a rare, late-onset lymphedema that usually causes swelling only in the legs)

Secondary lymphedema

This is the most common form of lymphedema. It's caused by disruption to the drainage of the lymphatic system, which occurs with trauma.

Lymphedema symptoms

Radiation treatment, cancer surgeries and other medical conditions increase the risk for lymphedema. Common symptoms of lymphedema, which you will notice in the affected arm or leg, include:

  • A feeling of heaviness or tightness
  • Aching or discomfort
  • Hardening and thickening of the skin (fibrosis)
  • Recurring infections
  • Restricted range of motion/movement
  • Total or partial swelling

Lymphedema treatment

Lymphedema therapy involves a treatment phase and a maintenance phase. Treatment of lymphedema includes:

  • Compression bandaging
  • Following a home exercise program
  • Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)
  • Proper skin care and continued education on how to manage lymphedema

After completing treatment and reducing the size of the affected limb, you will be measured for special garments to be worn day and night. You will also continue following your home exercise program and skin care best practices to manage lymphedema symptoms.