Could you imagine going through life every day with near-debilitating, chronic back pain? Back pain is one of the most common ailments in America - it's estimated that 8% of all adults, or 16 million people, suffer from chronic back pain in the U.S. every year. If you've never experienced a back injury or pain, be thankful. Chronic back pain affects every aspect of a person's life, from participating in sports to limitations with everyday activities, like cooking dinner. In fact, many people with chronic back pain can't even make a reliable living and put food on the table. Almost 83 million workdays are lost every year due to chronic back pain.
The inability to work and provide isn't just a physical issue - it can become an emotional one too. Many people suffering from chronic back pain also suffer from depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, in the past, chronic back pain sufferers wanting to avoid addictive medications and invasive surgeries had few viable relief options. However, if you're suffering from a chronic back issue like sciatica, a pinched nerve, or a bulging disc, pain relief may be closer than you think.
Modern chiropractic care and, more specifically, a spinal decompression chiropractor in Pawley's Island, SC, may be the long-term solution you need for chronic back pain.
A common misconception is that chiropractors only adjust your back and neck when, in fact, they treat the whole body with all-natural treatments. Here at Elite Healthcare, our doctors focus on your overall health, not just pain. We want to find and address the underlying causes of your symptoms. If you're unfamiliar with an integrative approach to medicine, this strategy may seem new. Our chiropractic care is less about putting a band-aid on the problem and more about finding a natural, long-term solution to your pain.
Fortunately, our experienced chiropractors provide the best in natural pain relief. Prescription and over-the-counter pain medications mask the symptoms you're experiencing versus getting to the cause of your pain. Pain is often the result of your spine being out of alignment, which leads to nerve issues. Once your spine is back in alignment, the nerves function correctly again.
Because our chiropractic center offers a combination of different therapies and non-surgical treatments, we provide a comprehensive approach to healing. Depending on the extent of your back problems, spinal decompression therapy may be the answer to your chronic pain problems.
Initially developed in 1985 by Dr. Allan Dyer, spinal decompression has been used by chiropractors for years. Unfortunately, spinal decompression is often passed over as a viable treatment, despite its numerous benefits.
In the past, patients suffering from chronic back pain issues like herniated discs were usually prescribed powerful medications. They were instructed to refrain from physical activities, referred to a physical therapist, and sent on their way. While physical therapy has an important role in back pain recovery, some back conditions need a more comprehensive treatment approach. For those patients, surgery seemed like the only option.
Today, patients with chronic back pain have many more options to consider. One of the most effective treatments for serious back pain is spinal decompression. This proven therapy, provided by Elite Healthcare, has been shown to significantly reduce pain and help patients live a normal, even active lifestyle once again.
Spinal decompression, also called Lumbar Cervical Decompression Therapy (LCD Therapy), is a very effective non-surgical solution to chronic back pain problems. If you're like most patients, your back pain is caused by disc issues related to your spine. This type of therapy uses computer technology and a spinal decompression machine in Pawley's Island, SC, to stretch your spinal column slowly and gently, relieving abnormal pressure on the discs in your back, which sit in between your vertebrae.
This precise stretching action causes negative pressure to form inside the discs in your back, making them retract. With time, this negative pressure causes a reverse vacuum of sorts that actually draws your protruding discs into place. When pressure is removed from the disc segments in your spine, you experience much-needed pain relief.
The primary purpose of spinal decompression therapy is to provide you with immediate pain relief while creating a healthy environment to heal your spinal disc condition. Some of the most common conditions that spinal decompression therapy treats include:
This happens when spinal discs in your back are pushed outside of the spinal canal. When pushed outside of their usual space, these discs can put pressure on the nerves in your spine, resulting in localized pain and pain throughout your body. If a bulging disc is left untreated, it has a high chance of rupturing, which can necessitate surgery and longer recovery time.
Herniated discs are discs in your back that fracture or crack and leak fluid. The fluid or gel that leaks from a herniated disc may irritate the nerves in your back. When this happens, you may experience an intense burning sensation that shoots up and down your lower back and legs.
As you grow older, joints in your body, like your knees and hips, begin to wear away with time. The same thing can happen to the discs in your back. Often caused by heavy lifting or a family history of spine problems, degenerative discs are painful and can lead to serious situations. In advanced cases, bone spurs can form and affect the nerves of your spine.
When a herniated disc or bone spur begins to put pressure on the nerves in your back, it often causes sciatica. Sciatica is a common back problem that causes pain to radiate from your lower back down your legs via your sciatic nerve. Sometimes, this pain is only felt in one of your legs.
This condition is similar to arthritis of your spine, where the cartilage inside your facet joint breaks down and becomes inflamed. The result is often intense neck and back pain. It's most often caused by degenerative changes in the joints located between the bones of your spine.
This painful condition manifests when the space in your backbone is too small. When this happens, pressure impacts your spinal cord and the nerves that travel through it. Like other conditions treated by a spinal decompression therapy in Pawley's Island, SC, stenosis is caused by wear-and-tear in your back, which forms arthritis.
This term is often used to classify a range of back problems, most often caused by a pinched nerve root in your spinal column. This pinched nerve root may occur in different locations down your spine, like the lumbar or thoracic areas. Usually caused by a narrowing of the space where your nerve root leaves the spine, symptoms of this condition include pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness.
If you're looking for a safe way to relieve your chronic back pain, spinal decompression should be on your list of treatments to consider. This painless procedure is backed by research showing higher success rates in many patients when compared to spinal surgery. Unlike many medications, spinal decompression from Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine is designed to correct the condition you're facing while also minimizing costs and eliminating recovery and downtime.
Some of the most popular reasons why patients choose spinal decompression over surgery and other treatments include:
Invasive procedures, like back surgeries, often leave the patient racked with pain, long recovery times, and complications. Sometimes, the surgery doesn't work as intended, leaving the patient responsible for a therapy that didn't work correctly. As a non-invasive treatment, spinal decompression therapy can treat back and neck pain without needles, incisions, or harmful manipulations of the spine.
Getting back pain relief from surgery is far from guaranteed. However, because spinal decompression targets the underlying causes of your back pain, it's a much more effective long-term treatment. Spinal decompression is not a quick fix. When coupled with positive lifestyle changes like losing weight, you can maximize the pain-relieving benefits of spinal decompression.
Surgery of the back and spine requires the patient to be bedridden and uncomfortable for days and even weeks. Recovering from back surgery is no easy feat and often requires strong pain medications to help. Sometimes, back surgeries don't go as planned, causing complications and worse scenarios. Spinal decompression, on the other hand, is very effective and doesn't require much recovery time at all. Once your spinal decompression session is over, you'll probably be able to drive yourself home from our office.
One of the least talked about issues with back pain medications is that they only treat the pain, not the underlying causes. For many patients, relying on meds to relieve back pain fosters dependency on pain pills. Pain pill addiction is a very serious issue in the U.S., often leading patients down a dark path. With spinal decompression, you won't have to worry about taking pills for pain relief. That's because the root causes of your back pain are addressed, not just the symptoms.
If you were to look at the cost of surgery and subsequent years of prescription medication, you might be shocked. When compared to spinal decompression, surgery is a much more expensive treatment to consider. You've got to take the cost of surgery into account, but also the fact that you'll be forced to take time off work. By choosing spinal decompression therapy, you're choosing a safe, non-surgical treatment that doesn't require any time off work.
Spinal decompression relieves pressure on disrupted discs, causing them to retract back into place. This revolutionary treatment also lets oxygen, fluids, and nutrients re-enter your spinal discs, which provides additional healing.
By now, you probably have a better idea of how spinal decompression can help rid your life of back pain. But spinal decompression treatment does more than help with bulging discs, herniated discs, arthritis, and more. It has also been shown to provide patients with important quality-of-life benefits.
As mentioned above, harsh surgeries leave you bedridden and unable to work for long periods of time. Spinal decompression allows you to jump right back into the workforce, so you can continue providing for your family. Plus, reducing your back pain naturally increases your mobility since you won't be stressing about hurting yourself while moving. Instead, you'll be living in the moment.
One of the worst symptoms affecting people with back pain is the inability to sleep well. Sleeping with back pain can be horrible, causing you to toss and turn to find a comfortable spot. As soon as you find one and get settled, your back starts to hurt again. It's a vicious cycle, but adjusting your spine and relieving pressure with spinal decompression will help you get a good night's rest.
Did you know that when your spine is decompressed, it helps fluids circulate throughout your body? These fluids actually flush your lymphatic system, which helps support your overall immune system. Better circulation also benefits your brain and can help boost concentration and memory. The improved circulation from spinal decompression may also distribute oxygen and nutrients to your skin, creating a multi-benefit effect.
Our team at Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine is always happy to answer any questions you may have about Spinal Decompression Therapy. Give us a call today - it would be our pleasure to get to know you better!
Struggling with ED/Erectile Dysfunction that won't improve?
At Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine, we practice an integrated approach to pain relief and chiropractic care. Our goal is to restore your spine to its proper alignment, which speeds up your recovery time and prevents additional injuries. If chronic back pain has taken over your life, it's time to visit our chiropractic office for a thorough evaluation.
Ask yourself this: Have you been suffering from headaches and sleepless nights due to muscle strain? Is your ability to work and put food on the table compromised due to a pinched nerve? No amount of over-the-counter pain medication can provide a long-term fix for such an issue. Thankfully, our chiropractors have years of experience providing relief to patients just like yourself.
After a comprehensive exam, our doctor will create an individualized treatment plan tailored to your body. That way, we can address the full scope of your symptoms by correcting any root causes of your back pain.
From minor chiropractic adjustments to spinal decompression treatment, we'll find the solution that your back and body need to heal correctly. If you're ready to get back on the road to better health, we're here to help every step of the way. Contact our Elite Healthcare Physical Medicine today to get started.
There are some places that stick with you, and for Southern Living editor-in-chief Sid Evans, that place is Pawleys Island, South Carolina. He’s been visiting the tiny sliver of Lowcountry land most summers since he was 5 or 6 and says it’s still one of his favorite places. About 70 miles north of Charleston and 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, Pawleys has a loyal fan base despite its small stature. The entire barrier island is less than 4 miles long, and in most places, only about one house wide, which means water is eve...
There are some places that stick with you, and for Southern Living editor-in-chief Sid Evans, that place is Pawleys Island, South Carolina. He’s been visiting the tiny sliver of Lowcountry land most summers since he was 5 or 6 and says it’s still one of his favorite places. About 70 miles north of Charleston and 25 miles south of Myrtle Beach, Pawleys has a loyal fan base despite its small stature. The entire barrier island is less than 4 miles long, and in most places, only about one house wide, which means water is everywhere you look. On the west, there’s an intricate network of salt marshes and creeks. On the east, you get gorgeous views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Though hurricane damage has brought some new and updated places to stay, at its heart, Pawleys remains a low-key Lowcountry getaway where the pace of your day depends entirely on your mood. “If you rent a place with a dock on the creek, you can fish, crab, or just hang out and watch the sun set over the marsh,” Evans says.
While Pawley's Island offers plenty to do, if you want to venture off the island, there are several nearby attractions you can visit, including Brookgreen Gardens, Huntington Beach State Park, and Atalaya Castle. Keep reading for the best things to do on Pawleys Island.
The historic heart of Pawleys all started with the Original Hammock Shop, which was established in 1938. Today, the vibrant shopping village consists of 21 unique local shops, two restaurants, a playground, and several outdoor gathering spaces. You can still get an original Pawleys Island Rope Hammock from the legendary store and see other historic buildings like The Schoolhouse and Waverly Building, two 1800s buildings that now house La Tierra Mineral Gallery and BisQit restaurant, respectively.
; 10880 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Consult the Waccamaw Golf Trail, a collection of courses that spans Pawleys Island, Litchfield, and the surrounding area, for a recommendation on where to play. The 18-hole course at Caledonia Golf & Fish Club has won multiple awards from golf publications for being a top public course. Another popular spot is the Jack Nicklaus-designed course at Pawleys Plantation.
; 369 Caledonia Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 70 Tanglewood Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Between Pawleys saltwater coast and its immense freshwater network of marshes, deltas, tidal creeks, and estuaries, there’s so much vibrant nature and wildlife to observe. On an ecotour with Pawleys Island Guide Services, you can expect to spot everything from alligators, turtles, crabs, dolphins, and otters to a huge variety of birds, including roseate spoonbill, osprey, blue heron, and wood storks.
; 577 Brace Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-833-4477
It’s not hard to find the beach on Pawleys, considering the entire island is only about a quarter-mile wide. Before you plant your umbrella in the sand, make a stop at Pawleys Island Supplies for all your beach day essentials. The old-school hardware and general store has everything you might need for a long day of fun in the sun, from floats and boogie boards to sun hats, shades, and snacks.
; 10460 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-2912
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s worth paying a visit to this early 1900s Classical Revival-style church that still hosts Sunday services to this day. If you go, be sure to also spend time in the church cemetery, which was established in the 1820s and is famously the final resting place of local legend Alice Flagg (who’s said to haunt the Grand Strand) and celebrated poet and novelist James Dickey.
On Sundays at All Saints Church, a traditional service is held at 7:45 a.m., a casual service a 9:00 a.m., and a blended service at 10:30 a.m.
; 3560 Kings River Road, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
If you want to attend a Sunday service in one of the most gorgeous settings imaginable, the marsh-side Pawleys Island Chapel is ready to welcome guests from June through August. Even if you don’t come for a sermon, be sure to make the pilgrimage to see this iconic Pawleys Island spot.
; 391 Myrtle Avenue, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-2000
Most of Pawleys Island's best attractions are 100% free, and this activity is no different. Evans recommends going to the Point, also known as the Southern tip of the island, at low tide to look for shark teeth. You never know what kind of treasures you might get to take home.
To bring a piece of lowcountry beauty back home with you, visit some of the local galleries on the island. Gray Man Gallery celebrates the culture, landscape, and soul of the Lowcountry and offers custom framing, while Floyd Fine Arts offers fine paintings, sculptures, and ceramics.
; 9841 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 11096 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
For some of the best food on the island, dine with Chef Adam Kirby at his two restaurants, Rustic Table and Bistro 217. At Rustic Table, the former state chef ambassador serves up his signature style of Southern comfort food with dishes like country-fried steak with Sawmill sausage gravy and sweet tea collards and Cajun seafood gumbo. Save plenty of room for dessert because you’ll have a hard time deciding between favorites like the Pawleys Island Pie (made with chocolate chips and pecans) and the Roasted Banana & Chocolate Bread Pudding. At Bistro 217, Kirby flexes his culinary muscles in a different way with fun fusion dishes like Korean Chili Seared Salmon with udon noodles and gochujang dashi and Horseradish-Encrusted Pork Schnitzel with roasted potatoes, kale, sauteed onions, and chasseur sauce.
; 10683 Ocean Highways, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-314-0164 bistro217.com; 10707 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-235-8217
There’s room for all at Frank’s, a Pawleys Island institution that has expanded over the years to include four dining venues and four bars, all on one sprawling property. Make reservations for a table in the main dining room or at Frank’s Outback (back patio). If you’re coming with last-minute plans, walk-ins are welcome in the Courtyard and Way Back Garden. All four dining locations, as well as all four bars, serve the full menu of chophouse steaks, seafood, and Southern favorites. Pro tip: The pimiento cheese is legendary, so you should always start your meal with an order.
; 10434 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-3030
There’s no lovelier setting for a meal than under the canopy of Lowcountry live oaks in the Chive Blossom Café’s courtyard. Open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday through Saturday, the restaurant is known for blending Southern cuisine with influences from Mediterranean, France, and Asia. Be sure to try chef Tina Renualt’s famous crab soup, then choose whatever sounds best from the ever-changing seasonal menu.
; 85 N Causeway Rd, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-1438
The all-day menu at BisQit, located in the Hammock Shops Village, has something for every craving. Of course, there’s a whole list of biscuit sandwiches (try the Lowcountry with root beer-braised pork belly, smoked gouda, slaw, and bearnaise aioli), but there are also burgers, pancakes, tacos, chicken fingers, fried shrimp, and even a lobster roll.
; 10880 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-979-2747
This local bakery is the place to go for a grab-and-go meal that can easily be toted to the beach, or for a decadent dessert to sweeten up your day. Pick your meat, cheese, bread, and toppings for a breakfast or lunch sandwich. Or choose from a selection of breakfast pastries that includes croissants, donuts, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, and more. Desserts range from cookies and bars in dozens of flavors to cupcakes.
; 10517 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-3100
Perched on the dunes of Litchfield Beach, The Litchfield Inn offers everything you need for a comfortable getaway. There are oceanfront rooms, so you can drink in the gorgeous views at all times of day. Private beach access is just steps from your room, so the sandy shores are never far. Start your day with the hearty breakfast buffet at Tide to Table restaurant, and when you need to refuel later, the Tide Beach Bar has a fun coastal-inspired menu that includes refreshing Tiki drinks and grouper tacos.
; 1 Norris Drive, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 855-213-9070
The Sea View Inn has been welcoming guests since 1937 and has been in the capable hands of Sassy and Brian Henry since 2002. Every room on the property has a view of either the ocean or the marsh. Exhibiting true Southern hospitality, the Sea View still serves two meals to guests daily: breakfast starting at 8:30 a.m. and a “dinner” meal served at 1:15 p.m. that might include fried chicken, vegetables, homemade biscuits, and dessert.
; 414 Myrtle Avenue, Pawleys Island, SC 29585; 843-237-4253
Michelle Cumbie Joins Signature Wealth's Pawleys Island Team Michelle Cumbie Joins Signature Wealth's Pawleys Island TeamPR NewswirePAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C., Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Signature Wealth Group announced that Michelle Cumbie has joined its growing Pawleys Island office as a Senior Wealth Advisor, adding another experienced planner to the firm's coastal team. Cumbie brings two decades of client-facing advisory experience and a collaborative, goal-based planning approach.Cumb...
Michelle Cumbie Joins Signature Wealth's Pawleys Island Team
PR Newswire
PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C., Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Signature Wealth Group announced that Michelle Cumbie has joined its growing Pawleys Island office as a Senior Wealth Advisor, adding another experienced planner to the firm's coastal team. Cumbie brings two decades of client-facing advisory experience and a collaborative, goal-based planning approach.
Cumbie partners with families on retirement readiness and long-term wealth strategies, reviewing progress and coordinating with clients' CPAs, estate attorneys, and insurance professionals to keep plans aligned over time. She now pairs that hands-on service with Signature's broader platform and local concierge support in Pawleys Island. Michelle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University, grounding her planning work in a practical understanding of human behavior.
"Michelle's client-first discipline and calm, methodical working style are exactly what we look for in an advisor," said Jay Accetturo, EVP, Director of Advisor Relations at Signature Wealth and Operations Manager, RJFS. "She is steady and thoughtful with great attention to detail. Our team is excited to support her as she navigates this new phase of her career."
Cumbie joins a multigenerational advisory team that includes CEO Chip Munn, Senior Wealth Advisor Andy Friedman, and Wealth Advisor Carson Munn, among others, at the Pawleys Island location: 159 Library Lane, Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
"Michelle is a great cultural fit for our community of advisors," said Chip Munn, CEO of Signature Wealth Group. "She strengthens what we're building on the coast: high-touch planning that helps families align lifestyle, retirement, and legacy."
Clients and community members can connect with Michelle and the Pawleys Island team via the office website or by phone at (843) 353-3128.
About Signature Wealth Group
Signature Wealth is an independent wealth management community affiliated with Raymond James, serving families and business owners across the Southeast. Advisors provide comprehensive planning, investment management, and coordinated guidance to support lifestyle, retirement, and legacy goals of high-net-worth families and business owners.
159 Library Lane, Pawleys Island, SC 29585 Phone: 843.353.3128 Signature Wealth Group is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.
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SOURCE Signature Wealth Group
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Pawleys Island has been named the "Best Beach in South Carolina" for the second time, according to the venerable USA Today/10Best Readers' Choice poll.Furthermore, Litchfield Beach placed number three and Huntington Beach was placed at number four.There were 17 South Carolina nominees in the running.Local officials spoke on how beneficial this ranking is for the tourism industry, with state officials estimating a $300 million economic impact for Georgetown County.I couldn’t be more excited...
Pawleys Island has been named the "Best Beach in South Carolina" for the second time, according to the venerable USA Today/10Best Readers' Choice poll.
Furthermore, Litchfield Beach placed number three and Huntington Beach was placed at number four.
There were 17 South Carolina nominees in the running.
Local officials spoke on how beneficial this ranking is for the tourism industry, with state officials estimating a $300 million economic impact for Georgetown County.
I couldn’t be more excited about this news,” said Mark A. Stevens, director of tourism development for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce. “Pawleys Island topping the list for the Best Beach in South Carolina once again is wonderful, but it’s made even more sweet with Litchfield Beach and Huntington Beach State Park also finishing in the Top 4. Clearly the Hammock Coast’s beaches are beloved by residents and vacationers. Our beaches are adored for their pristine shores and mild crowds, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Beth Stedman, the Chamber’s president and CEO, emphasized how you "don't have to be the biggest to be the best."
We love to say we are comfortably nestled between two of the biggest tourism meccas in South Carolina – Myrtle Beach to the north and Charleston to the south, but we love being our own unique brand," he said. “The natural beauty of our area and its history bring visitors here throughout the year and they return again and again. The majesty of our area, with tens of thousands of acres preserved and protected, sets it apart from many other coastal regions.
The judges for USA Today who selected the 17 beaches to compete for "Best Beach in South Carolina" were Jamie Davis Smith, Marla Cimini and Catherine Smith.
They all have shared interests in travelling, writing and adventures.
Locations on South Carolina’s Hammock Coast have been featured in other USA Today/10Best contests such as Huntington Beach State Park, Brookgreen Gardens, Georgetown and Caledonia Golf and Fish Club.