Business Details
10 Years
experience
Your Trusted Partner for Physical Therapy Solutions in Carolina Beach
Founded in 2016, our practice is built on over 18 years of clinical expertise and a commitment to personalized care. We specialize in post-surgical rehabilitation, sports injury recovery, and balance training, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient outcomes. Our team of licensed therapists delivers one-on-one sessions tailored to individual needs, prioritizing integrity and excellence in every interaction. Located in Carolina Beach, we serve residents and visitors seeking to improve mobility and quality of life through evidence-based treatments. Our approach integrates manual therapy, customized home exercise programs, and patient education to promote long-term wellness. We accept Medicare and private insurance, ensuring accessibility to comprehensive physical therapy services.By fostering strong partnerships with local physicians, we design coordinated treatment plans that accelerate recovery for orthopedic, neurological, and age-related conditions. Our therapists hold advanced certifications in dry needling, LSVT BIG, and sports rehabilitation, reflecting our dedication to specialized care. Through clinical education mentorship, we contribute to advancing the physical therapy profession while maintaining deep community ties in the Cape Fear region. Whether recovering from injury, preparing for surgery, or seeking to enhance athletic performance, patients receive individualized attention designed to restore function and prevent re-injury.
Services
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Sports injury treatment
Manual therapy
Fall risk assessments
Dry needling
LSVT BIG therapy
Gait balance training
Senior services
Vestibular rehab
Custom home exercise programs
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- Our therapists provide one-on-one sessions with 18+ years of combined clinical expertise.
- We utilize state-of-the-art rehabilitative equipment for enhanced recovery outcomes.
- Our team holds specialty certifications in dry needling and LSVT BIG therapy.
- We offer personalized treatment plans developed in collaboration with local physicians.
- Conveniently located in Carolina Beach with specialized programs for athletes and seniors.
Services
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Our post-surgical rehabilitation program accelerates recovery through customized treatment plans combining manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and functional training. Our therapists collaborate with surgeons to ensure optimal healing timelines while restoring range of motion, strength, and mobility for joint replacements, ligament repairs, and soft tissue surgeries. Patients receive progressive rehabilitation protocols tailored to their specific surgical procedures and lifestyle needs.
Sports injury treatment
Specialized sports injury treatment addresses acute and chronic conditions affecting athletes of all levels. Our evidence-based approach combines biomechanical analysis, sport-specific drills, and injury prevention education to treat ACL tears, shoulder impingements, and overuse injuries. Therapists with athletic backgrounds design performance-driven rehabilitation programs that restore functional capacity while minimizing recurrence risks through proper conditioning techniques.
Manual therapy
Our manual therapy techniques improve tissue mobility and joint function through skilled hand movements. This hands-on approach effectively manages musculoskeletal pain, enhances flexibility, and accelerates healing for conditions like chronic back pain, joint restrictions, and soft tissue adhesions. Certified therapists employ joint mobilizations, soft tissue mobilization, and myofascial release as integral components of comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
LSVT BIG therapy
LSVT BIG therapy delivers intensive, amplitude-focused training for Parkinson's disease and neurological conditions. This evidence-based program improves motor control, balance, and functional mobility through repetitive, task-specific exercises targeting gait, posture, and daily activities. Certified therapists provide one-on-one sessions emphasizing high-effort movements to recalibrate neuromuscular patterns and enhance quality of life for individuals with movement disorders.
Gait balance training
Gait and balance rehabilitation addresses walking impairments and fall risks through comprehensive assessments and targeted interventions. Our therapists implement neuromuscular re-education, functional balance drills, and home safety training to improve stability for older adults and individuals recovering from neurological events. Customized programs incorporate strength training, vestibular rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment training to restore safe, independent mobility.
People
Laurie Etherington
Founder
With 18+ years of clinical experience, Dr. Etherington specializes in outpatient orthopedics and sports rehabilitation for runners, surfers, and swimmers. She holds dry needling and SFMA certifications while mentoring future therapists as a clinical educator since 2007.
Kaitlyn Carpenter
Physical Therapist
Dr. Carpenter focuses on outpatient orthopedics and pediatric rehabilitation, leveraging expertise in treating overhead athletes and sports injuries. Her background in tennis and softball informs personalized recovery programs for active individuals returning to competitive sports.
Tayler Turner
Physical Therapist
Specializing in neurological rehabilitation, Dr. Turner provides LSVT BIG-certified treatment for Parkinson's disease and balance disorders. Her experience with NCAA Division I athletics informs functional rehabilitation approaches for patients of all activity levels.
Greg Musgnug
Physical Therapist
Dr. Musgnug combines dry needling expertise with sports rehabilitation experience treating surfers, runners, and soccer players. His clinical training across outpatient and geriatric settings supports comprehensive care for musculoskeletal injuries and performance optimization.
Questions
What services does Carolina Beach Physical Therapy offer?
We provide post-surgical rehabilitation, sports injury treatment, manual therapy, LSVT BIG therapy for neurological conditions, fall risk assessments, gait balance training, and customized home exercise programs.
Do you accept insurance or Medicare?
Yes, we accept Medicare and most private insurance plans to make physical therapy services accessible for our patients in Carolina Beach and surrounding areas.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Call our Carolina Beach clinic directly to schedule your initial evaluation. We'll coordinate your first visit promptly to begin your personalized rehabilitation journey.
What should I wear to physical therapy sessions?
Wear comfortable clothing that allows movement. For lower body injuries, athletic shorts or loose pants work well. Bring supportive athletic shoes for gait assessments and functional training.
Can physical therapy help prevent surgery?
In many cases, our evidence-based rehabilitation programs reduce pain and improve function sufficiently to avoid surgical intervention through targeted strengthening, mobility work, and activity modification.
What makes Carolina Beach Physical Therapy unique?
Our combination of one-on-one care, board-certified specialists, and location convenient to beach activities supports accelerated recovery while maintaining connections to coastal lifestyles.
