(843) 979-2273 Claim My $48 New Patient Special
Non-Surgical · Non-Invasive · Pawleys Island, SC

Relief From Back, Neck and Disc Pain Without Surgery

Dr. Fico has helped thousands of patients on the Grand Strand get out of disc and nerve pain without surgery, injections or long-term medication. Spinal decompression, laser therapy and cold laser therapy are all under one roof in Pawleys Island.

$48 New Patient Special Non-Surgical Care 25+ Years
Dr. Neil Fico with a Strand Spine patient
Dr. Neil Fico, D.C. Managing physician, caring for the Grand Strand
$48 New Patient Special

Schedule Your $48 New Patient Special Today

We confirm by phone within one business day.

Your information is private and secure. Your first visit is $48.
25+ Years
on the Grand Strand
1000s
of patients helped
Non-Surgical
and non-invasive care
5/5
Google rating
Conditions We Treat

Disc and Nerve Pain We Treat Without Surgery

If your pain shows up anywhere on this list, the protocol Dr. Fico designed was built for someone with your pattern. Book your $48 New Patient Special to get a clear answer about what is causing it.

Back Pain
$48 first visit
Neck Pain
$48 first visit
Bulging and Herniated Discs
$48 first visit
Degenerative Disc Disease
$48 first visit
Disc Injury
$48 first visit
Pinched Nerves
$48 first visit
Sciatica
$48 first visit
Numbness and Tingling
$48 first visit
Neuropathy
$48 first visit
Failed Back Surgery
$48 first visit

If your pain is not on this list, Dr. Fico also treats headaches and migraines, vertigo, scoliosis and joint pain in the hip, knee and foot. Book your $48 first visit and he will tell you whether this is something the clinic can help with.

The Strand Approach

A Non-Invasive Option Before You Consider Surgery

Most people arrive here having already tried pain pills, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, cortisone, epidural injections, physical therapy and massage. Our protocol works with your body to heal the injured disc rather than masking the pain until it returns.

What Most People Try First

The Usual Path

  • Pain pills and anti-inflammatories that wear off
  • Cortisone or an epidural injection every few months
  • Physical therapy aimed at the symptom in front of it
  • A referral to a surgeon once nothing else has worked
Strand Spine Patients

The Strand Path

  • A consultation, a comprehensive exam and X-rays if needed, all for $48
  • A care plan matched to what your own exam and imaging show
  • Decompression and laser therapy aimed at the disc or nerve causing the pain
  • A discharge path with a wellness plan when you are ready
Core Treatments

Non-Surgical Treatment Built for the Root Cause

Everything on this page is non-invasive and non-surgical. Dr. Fico picks the combination from what your exam shows and from what has worked for patients with cases like yours.

DRX 9000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

The DRX 9000 applies gentle distractive forces that unload the spine, which improves blood flow and nutrient exchange to the injured area so an injured disc can rehydrate. It is Dr. Fico’s first choice for bulging discs, herniations and sciatica in the neck and lower back, and sessions run under 30 minutes.

Summus Class IV Laser Therapy

Summus is a class IV laser, the highest therapeutic class, and it reaches deep into injured or degenerative tissue. The light energy triggers photobiomodulation, which brings more oxygen and endorphins to the injured area and shortens healing time. It does not hurt and needs no recovery time.

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser works alongside decompression to rehabilitate the stabilizing ligaments, tendons and muscles that hold a correction in place. It is the part of the protocol that builds support back into the spine, which reduces the chance of the same problem returning once the pain has settled.

Also Under One Roof

Chiropractic Care

Targeted adjustments that restore joint motion and take pressure off a pinched nerve.

Sports Rehabilitation

Soft tissue work and corrective exercise that hold the correction under load.

Nutrition and Wellness Care

Nutrition guidance and supplement protocols from our in-house nutritionist Kristy.

Inside the Practice

Where Your Treatment Happens

Decompression, laser therapy and rehabilitation are all in the one building on Ocean Hwy, so your whole protocol happens in the rooms below rather than across three different offices.

A patient on the spinal decompression table at Strand Spine Institute while a team member sets the unit
Setting up spinal decompression
Laser therapy being applied to a patient’s lower back at Strand Spine Institute
Laser therapy on the lower back
Patients working through exercises in the rehabilitation room at Strand Spine Institute
Our rehabilitation and exercise room
The waiting room at Strand Spine Institute in Pawleys Island
Our waiting room in Pawleys Island
Dr. Neil Fico, D.C., Managing Physician
25+ Years
Caring for spines on the Grand Strand
Meet the Team

25+ Years on the Grand Strand, Now Looking at Your Spine

Dr. Neil Fico has been treating spine and joint pain on the Grand Strand for 25 years. He built Strand Spine Institute around one belief: the body wants to heal itself if you remove what is blocking it, and the job of a good clinic is to find that block and fix it.

He is joined by Dr. Joe Federico, plus a team of patient care specialists, a certified laser technician and an in-house nutritionist who run the day-to-day patient experience. Every patient who walks in gets the full team, not a quick handoff.

“Our job is to find the root cause and fix it, so you walk away with a body that doesn’t need us anymore.”
Dr. Neil Fico, D.C., Managing Physician
Patient Stories

Real Patients, Real Recoveries

These are real Strand patients, in their own words. Their full video and written reviews live on our website's testimonials page.

Watch Brenda’s story
Patient Louie P. with Dr. Fico
“
I had heard about Strand Spine Institute through a friend. Spinal Decompression Therapy along with chiropractic care and in home exercise made a world of difference in my life. When I first came to Dr. Fico I could barely walk, let alone sit for long periods of time. Since my first visit, until now, I’ve been able to do the things I love, walking long distances, golf, with very little discomfort. The staff was so wonderful and helpful throughout my treatment. Thanks for getting my life back.
Louie P.
Patient Caroline with Dr. Fico
“
I have a nearly 30-year history of back problems, so finding a professional and caring chiropractor when I moved to the area one year ago was very important to me. The staff at Strand Spine Institute is knowledgeable, kind and always welcoming. It’s been a blessing coming to SSI, especially in the past few months as I trained for my first Half Ironman Triathlon. Dr. Fico helped me overcome a training injury and also gave me guidance along the way just as a coach would. He helped me understand how to better take care of my body while in training and how to keep it strong. Thanks to Dr. Fico’s professional care and knowledge I got to the race injury-free, and I’m happy to say that I successfully completed 70.3 miles of swimming, biking and running that day!
Caroline
Patient George B.'s painting
“
I was directed to Dr. Fico by Dr. Parker at OrthoSC who had been treating me for about 4 months without improvement. Dr. Fico and his staff helped improve my condition to comfort. I live alone and the treatments provided by Strand Spine Institute have made it more comfortable for me to perform my duties and also allowed me to get back to painting pictures on a regular schedule and I sleep better.
George B.
Patient Sondra with Dr. Fico
“
I walked in with neck pain at a 7-8 on the pain scale. Dr. Fico worked me up with scans, x-rays and an examination and developed a treatment plan. I walked out two months later with a pain level of 2-3. Very happy me. I continue to go see Dr. Fico for regular treatments to stay well. Kristy, their nutritionist took me under her belt and provided me with natural remedies for my pain, anxiety, depression and stomach issues. I did a 10 day cleanse with guidance - Worth it! The staff is so very kind, compassionate and caring. I felt like I was going to see friends that cared about my entire well-being and health, not just my neck. Forever grateful!
Sondra

Results vary by individual.

What to Expect

What Your First Visit Looks Like

Your first visit is $48, and that covers your consultation, a chiropractic exam and X-rays if Dr. Fico needs them. If he recommends ongoing care after that, you will know what it involves and what it costs before anything is booked.

Patient checking in at the Strand Spine Institute front desk
1

Your consultation with Dr. Fico, about 20 minutes

Dr. Fico takes your full history: how the pain started, what makes it worse and what has not worked so far. There is no obligation to go further.

2

A comprehensive exam, and X-rays if he needs them

Orthopedic, neurological and range-of-motion testing, with X-rays in our office if Dr. Fico needs to see what is happening inside your spine. Both are covered by the $48, so there is nothing further to pay on the day.

3

Your care plan and a clear next step

Dr. Fico walks you through the findings, the recommended protocol and the timeline, including what ongoing care would cost. You can then decide whether moving forward feels right for you.

Visit Us

Find Us on Ocean Hwy

Strand Spine Institute is on Ocean Hwy in Pawleys Island, an easy drive from Litchfield, Murrells Inlet and Garden City. We have available appointments most days of the week.

The Strand Spine Institute building and monument sign on Ocean Hwy in Pawleys Island

Strand Spine Institute

12465 Ocean Hwy
Pawleys Island, SC 29585
(843) 979-2273
Call (843) 979-2273

Office Hours

Monday 8:00am to 12:30pm, 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am to 12:30pm, 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am to 12:30pm, 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Thursday 9:00am to 12:30pm, 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Friday 8:00am to 1:00pm
Saturday and Sunday Closed
Good to Know

Questions People Ask Before Booking

Your first visit covers your consultation, a chiropractic exam and X-rays if Dr. Fico needs them. That is a sit-down with Dr. Fico, about 20 minutes, where he takes your history, then orthopedic, neurological and range-of-motion testing so he can tell you what is causing the pain. Ongoing care is quoted separately, and there is no obligation to go further.
Often, yes. Patients come to Strand Spine after surgery that did not resolve the pain, and decompression and laser therapy are sometimes appropriate afterwards. It depends on what was done and on what your exam shows, so bring your operative notes and any imaging to the consultation.
No. You can book a consultation directly. If you have already seen another provider, bring any imaging or notes you have and Dr. Fico will review them with you.
Yes. Every treatment we offer is non-invasive and non-surgical. Dr. Fico has been practicing for 25 years and the protocol is calibrated to each patient's specific findings.
A list of medications, any recent imaging or operative notes if you have them and clothes that let you move comfortably.
Free parking is right at the front entrance.
That is what non-surgical spinal decompression on the DRX 9000 was built for. Whether it is the right option for your disc depends on your exam and your imaging, and Dr. Fico will tell you plainly at your consultation.
No. Chiropractic care is one of the treatments we offer. Most patients who come in with disc or nerve pain receive non-surgical spinal decompression on the DRX 9000, Summus class IV laser therapy or cold laser therapy, depending on what their exam shows.
Some plans cover portions of the care we provide. Our team will help you check your benefits and walk you through what is covered and what is not before you start treatment.
Many patients feel some relief inside the first few visits. A full recovery from a chronic condition usually takes a series of treatments matched to the severity of the case. Dr. Fico will give you a realistic timeline for your own case at the end of your consultation.
That is fine. The consultation is built to give you a clear recommendation, not to force a commitment. You decide what comes next.
Your Next Step

Start Living the Life You Deserve

Your $48 first visit covers your consultation, a chiropractic exam and X-rays if Dr. Fico needs them, because we would rather find out whether we can help you before you make a bigger commitment to treatment.

Call (843) 979-2273
Skilled. Compassionate. Preferred.
$48 New Patient Special

Schedule Your $48 New Patient Special Today

We confirm by phone within one business day.

Your information is private and secure. Your first visit is $48.
Claim My $48 New Patient Special