Accidents are just a part of life. They can happen at work, home, or even on the road. And when accidents happen, injuries often follow. According to the CDC, the number of injury-related visits to the ER was more than 38 million in 2020. But not all injuries require the same treatment. Minor sprains and bruises can often be treated at home with rest, ice, and elevation. Other, more serious injuries necessitate ongoing care like sports rehab and physical therapy. As a combination of physical exercises and education, physical therapy in Sullivan's Island, SC, has incredible benefits for those who are injured or in constant pain. For many patients and pain sufferers, physical therapy is the key to a pain-free life - one without constant worry and debilitating pain, where joints and muscles don't ache, and everyday activities are easy to accomplish.
That's where Back 2 Health Physical Medicine comes into play: to help you rediscover the lifestyle you used to love.
Physical therapy centers around correcting impairments to your body's muscles, nerves, and even your brain. When you tear a muscle or break a major bone in your body, it's crucial to maintain careful stretching and training as your injury heals. However, trying to handle physical therapy on your own is quite risky. At Back 2 Health Physical Medicine, our team uses multiple diagnostic tools to monitor your injuries as you heal to ensure your treatment is helping to heal your body, not damage it further.
We help many different types of patients recover, from teen and adult athletes who play competitive sports to older adults and seniors who are retired. Our doctors and physical therapists find that immediate care often helps prevent minor issues, like sprains, from developing into serious problems. That's especially true if we can find a misalignment or weakness that led to the injury, to begin with.
When an injury takes you out of the game or affects your daily life, seeking physical therapy can get you back to normal as quickly as possible, without risking further damage. And that's the beauty of physical therapy from Back 2 Health.
Patients rely on our trained physical therapists to help them work through a myriad of issues, such as:
Unlike other physical rehab centers, however, we provide more than just physical therapy. Instead of focusing on one pain-relieving discipline, our team utilizes physical therapy along with medical therapeutics and research-backed solutions to give patients a multi-discipline approach to healing. We don't just have one or two physical therapists at your service - we have an entire team dedicated to your recovery, including:
At Back 2 Health, we believe the very best results are achieved by giving patients personalized treatment and access to a comprehensive list of rehab services. Our doctors and physical therapists do more than treat pain - we treat patients. Our goal is to completely restore the quality of life you deserve. We accomplish that goal by using all our resources to treat your pain, from the bottoms of your feet to tips of your triceps and everything in between.
And with decades of combined experience, we understand that no two patients or their injuries are exactly the same. The causes of back pain, foot pain, arthritis pain, and other types of pain are broad and change from patient to patient. The treatment of those conditions, then, must also have a broad range of pain treatment tools.
That's why, when you trust Back 2 Health Physical Medicine, you can rest easy knowing your treatment plan is crafted for you and your body - not someone within your age and weight range.
Our team treats a wide range of conditions, including:
By taking a focused approach to physical therapy, we can better understand your needs and the conditions causing your pain. Whether you're suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica, our doctors and therapists have the tools and training to provide relief. And we keep doing it until you're back on your feet and back to your life.
And that, in a nutshell, is what separates Back 2 Heath from the rest of the pack: nuanced medical and physical therapy in Sullivan's Island, SC, that helps you rediscover what healthy, pain-free living is all about. During rehab, our therapists may use resources like massage therapy, chiropractic care, and even medical injections for a more well-rounded approach to your recovery.
Many of the patients we see who are injured report that conventional methods like pain meds and surgery don't really solve their pain problems - they just mask them. When you throw in the risks associated with surgery and pain meds, alternatives like chiropractic care make a lot of sense. If you're looking for a safe, non-invasive treatment, combining the benefits of physical therapy with chiropractic adjustments is a great option for pain relief and overall well-being.
At Back 2 Health, our chiropractic physicians diagnose and treat patients with health problems associated with the body's muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems.
As the saying goes, a healthy spine equals a healthy person.
Just about every type of chiropractic care revolves around your spine. When your vertebrae are misaligned, the nerves surrounding them become compressed, resulting in pain. When a chiropractor restores your spine's natural alignment, it reduces your pain and other medical symptoms. To achieve pain relief, Back 2 Health chiropractors use focused pressure to restore healthy vertebrae motion and loosen frozen joints. This process allows the nerves along your spine to properly function and carry messages to and from your brain.
There are many benefits of using chiropractic care alongside physical therapy in Sullivan's Island, SC, and other solutions like massage therapy. Some of the most common benefits of chiropractic care include:
Sitting in one spot for hours or frequently bending at work can cause horrendous neck pain. Whether from work or a car accident, our chiropractors ease that pain by realigning your spine, which reduces the tension on your neck.
The American College of Physicians says that doctors should recommend non-medical treatments for back pain prior to surgery. Chiropractic care helps tremendously in this regard, correcting subluxations through techniques like spinal decompression.
If you suffer from tension headaches that start in your upper spine or neck, chiropractic care may be the solution you need for relief.
Unfortunately, many people with back pain become addicted to pain meds like opiates. However, a study by the NIH found that adults who visited a chiropractor weren't as likely to receive an opioid prescription for pain when compared to those who only visited a medical doctor.
Our team of chiropractic doctors excels at finding and analyzing improper vertebrae placement. Once those areas are discovered, they use advanced techniques to correct subluxations, returning your body to its proper alignment. This strategy is key in correcting vertebral subluxation complex, which can affect your long-term health and how your body functions.
Like other practitioners, our chiropractors follow common standards and procedures to diagnose and treat you with chiropractic care. On your first visit, we'll get your medical history, conduct physical, orthopedic, and neurological examinations, and may order lab tests for further info. We may also use X-rays and other essential tools to focus on your spine and its proper function.
If needed, our chiropractors may conduct a postural and spinal analysis to discover if vertebral dysfunction is affecting your nervous system or causing a skeletal imbalance, which lowers disease resistance and causes additional pain.
Massage has been used for thousands of years to promote relaxation and relieve pain. And while most people think of getting a massage as a treat, purposeful massage therapy demonstrates an incredible ability to heal and restore overall wellness. In fact, modern applications have been proven to be very effective when used to supplement physical therapy. A complete review by the Institute of Work and Health found that massage had measurable effects vs. placebo treatments. That's excellent news for patients who need physical therapy to help heal injuries.
The benefits of massage therapy for issues like back pain and shoulder pain are numerous and include the following:
Deep Tissue Massage
Myofascial Release
Neuromuscular Therapy
Sports Massage
If you're suffering from a long-term condition like neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, or arm pain, massage therapy could be a great option to consider. Though massage can't always solve issues like inflammation, it can help relieve painful symptoms and works very well when used as part of the multi-discipline approach at Back 2 Health Physical Medicine.
Massage can help treat many conditions, such as:
If we're being honest, few people look forward to a medical procedure that involves needles. But the proper injection may reduce or even eliminate joint, nerve, muscle, or spinal pain plaguing you for years, all within a few hours. At Back 2 Health, we combine medical injections for immediate relief with other treatments like physical therapy in Sullivan's Island, SC, that repair factors causing inflammation in your body, providing permanent results.
In many cases, inflammation is a good thing - it helps heal injuries and subsides when the healing process is finished. In many cases, however, inflammation doesn't go away. It actually becomes counterproductive, causing severe pain, swelling, restricted movement, and even structural damage that prevents normal bodily function.
Joint and inflammation injections from Back 2 Health help relieve pain and inflammation by reducing blood flow and limiting immune system cells at the affected joint. These injections typically contain a corticosteroid and an anesthetic. The corticosteroid helps with inflammation by limiting blood vessel dilation, while the anesthetic helps with immediate relief of pain.
Generally, joint and inflammation injections can serve two purposes: for pain relief and for diagnostic purposes. As a diagnostic tool, these injections can help our doctors identify the source of pain you're enduring. As a pain reliever, injections help reduce inflammation around the affected joint, providing localized pain relief with few, if any, side effects.
Patients who qualify for medical injections from Back 2 Health enjoy a number of short and long-term benefits, including:
Patients at Back 2 Health Physical Medicine use joint and inflammation injections for a variety of conditions, such as:
If you're looking for a truly personalized, complete approach to physical therapy and pain relief, contact Back 2 Health Physical Medicine today. As a team, we analyze every new patient's case and craft a customized medical treatment plan tailored to their needs. But unlike other "pain" clinics, we don't rely on one form of therapy.
Our doctors and specialists use massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, medical injections, and other treatments to give you long-term relief - not a short-term "band-aid" that only lasts for a few days. If surgery and opiates are off the table, contact our office to learn more about the Back 2 Health physical therapy difference.
South Carolina is a charming state to visit because of its rich history and attractions, and it also boasts fantastic beaches. South Carolina's coastline is home to the USA's most beautiful and unspoiled beaches, stretched along the Atlantic. Some of these magnificent beaches attracting many tourists are loc...
South Carolina is a charming state to visit because of its rich history and attractions, and it also boasts fantastic beaches. South Carolina's coastline is home to the USA's most beautiful and unspoiled beaches, stretched along the Atlantic. Some of these magnificent beaches attracting many tourists are located on the Grand Strand, a stretch of beautiful sandy shores between Georgetown and the Little River area. People head to this excellent state to enjoy some of the most transparent and pristine waters on beaches like Litchfield, Murrells Inlet, Surfside, and Myrtle Beach, where people find top fun things to do. Hilton Head Island is also a very popular destination among tourists, home to plenty of experiences and activities, and voted one of the best vacation destinations in the world. Here are 13 beaches with the clearest water in South Carolina.
More Secluded Beaches With The Clearest Water In South Carolina
The article was extended to add more gorgeous beaches in South Carolina that offer the clearest water as well as amazing activities to do for fun.
Located just a 20-minute ride from Charleston, Sullivan’s Island offers an excellent beach destination for families who wish to spend a nice summer day on the beaches. Most of the coastline is preserved in its natural state and offers simple activities such as swimming or building sand castles.
Related: South Carolina's Best Beaches, Ranked By Popularity
Surfside Beach has long been known throughout the Grand Stand as a top beach for fun family activities. Travelers stroll on the famous boardwalk that runs along the gorgeous coastline of Surfside Beach and soaks the view as they dine, shop, and engage in vibrant festivals. Kite flying and building castles may be a wonderful bonding activities for kids. Several beach offers facilities like showers, bathrooms, and ramps for persons with disabilities.
Pawleys Island is home to the most untouched shores and is recognized for its peaceful waters that are perfect for enjoying shelling, canoeing, biking, and kayaking with loved ones. Featuring white powdery sand, it is the best location for zoos, sculptures, and gardens with native plants. Pawleys Island offers a panoramic sight of the renowned creek in the area, not to be missed on someone's trip.
Myrtle Beach is the most popular beach destination and largest resort in South Carolina. This family-friendly tourist location features magnificent white-sand beaches and plenty of opportunities, keeping guests fully entertained. People will enjoy peace of mind while walking the long boardwalk and experiencing water activities such as surfing and scuba diving, collecting shells, and building sandcastle. For those looking for something calmer, they should head to North Myrtle Beach, where they can swim in the clear water, enjoy parasailing and kayaking, or pull up a sun lounger and relax.
Only 30 minutes drive south of Myrtle Beach, Huntington Beach is a calm oasis covering an area of natural preserves and boasting a park with an untouched beach spread. Huntington Beach State Park is located in South Carolina, perfect for sun-seekers, nature lovers, and bird-watchers. It's also a popular spot for camping and picnics. There are also numerous tours available for incredible deep-sea fishing.
While Hilton Head Island is one large beach boasting 12 miles of beautiful sandy shoreline, Coligny Beach Park, reached through an attractive public garden, is an ideal destination for those looking for a lovely family beach experience. Following the path extending to the water, people will enjoy excellent facilities, including comfortable swing seats, beach chairs, and umbrellas. After enjoying the pristine water, visitors take time to stroll around Coligny Plaza, just steps from the beach, where they savor a meal or a snack, get in some shopping, or rent a bike and enjoy a ride directly on the beach. The island also provides a shuttle bus service for those willing to park far away.
Only a short drive from the beautiful city of Charleston, Kiawah Island is home to impressive and unspoiled sandy beaches. Located between the Atlantic and vast woods, Kiawah Beachwalker Park is accessible from the mainland by a bridge. Public amenities such as washrooms, outdoor showers, picnic areas, a lovely boardwalk, umbrellas, and chairs are available. Kiawah is an excellent spot for couples and families.
The charming town of Edisto Beach is itself worth the journey from Charleston and is as famous for its restaurants, shops, galleries, accommodations, and vibe. Edisto Beach's unique charm makes it attractive for those looking for a quiet beach experience since it is known as one of the last uncommercial beach areas in South Carolina. The adventurous types will go kayaking, camping, fishing, and dolphin-watching or sunset cruising. Other fun activities include several great trails to follow, which can lead to stunning, more quiet places to stop and relax at the beach.
Located south of Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island boasts many charming beaches. Stretching four miles of pristine shoreline, the two main beaches, Pelican Beach and North Beach, are mysterious hidden gems famous for their peaceful and uncrowded feel. Sunset lovers should head to Pelican Beach, also known as "Sunset Beach," for amazing sunsets. And early risers and nature lovers will enjoy visiting North Beach due to its magnificent sunrises and abundant bird life, as well as pods of dolphins that feed offshore.
Another excellent sun spot just 20 minutes from Charleston is Folly Island, home to the beautiful Folly Beach. The charming Folly Beach boasts a fantastic fishing pier with a perfect view, ideal for a romantic selfie. It is also home to many adventures, such as kayaking, surfing, and paddleboarding. People enjoy strolling along the beach shores and admiring the ocean views. For a unique experience, it is suggested to rent a kayak around the inland shore of Folly Beach Country Park or go on a marine wildlife spotting cruise, where one will see dolphins, stingrays, and even sharks.
Attracting a million visitors each year, Hunting Island State Park is a popular destination offering breathtaking and unspoiled beach experiences, five miles of white sand, and spectacular views from its hunting island lighthousesignificant landmark. It is also home to diverse wildlife, some of which can be explored at the informative nature center, an ideal spot for those looking to enjoy a camping experience, choosing from numerous campsites, most with easy beach access.
Related: You Might See These Animals When Visiting South Carolina's Beaches
The Isle of Palms is an attractive beachside destination located 40 minutes east of Charleston and is as popular among locals as it is with visitors to the region. Most people head to Front Beach, where they enjoy beach activities, like sea kayak tours, sunset cruises, fishing, and surfing, and most of all, searching for beautiful sea turtles since they nest and lay their eggs in the dunes. Front Beach is very convenient since it has good public parking and easy beach access.
A trip to Litchfield Beach and Golf Resort is a worthy journey. Close to Myrtle Beach, located only 30-minute drive south, Litchfield Beach amazes people with its majestic stretch of beach, no crowds, and no big resort flanking. In addition to the quiet beach experience, and great sunbathing, visitors seeking water activities can enjoy sea kayaking, Jet Skis, and fishing.
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND — The home market continues to sizzle in this pricey seaside town, with real estate agents pointing to its community appeal, a longtime ban on short-term rentals and resilient, well-heeled cash buyers among the driving forces.So far this year, three big-ticket residential transactions have closed on Sull...
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND — The home market continues to sizzle in this pricey seaside town, with real estate agents pointing to its community appeal, a longtime ban on short-term rentals and resilient, well-heeled cash buyers among the driving forces.
So far this year, three big-ticket residential transactions have closed on Sullivan’s Island, ranging from nearly $8 million to slightly more than $10 million.
Sullivan’s commands a premium partly because it offers limited inventory in a highly desirable location, according to agents familiar with the local market. Some also point to the lack of rentals.
“There is not a transient population out there,” said Lyles Geer, president and broker-in-charge of William Means Real Estate. “You don’t have an abundance of renters or people who don’t live out there. ... Buyers are paying for the exclusivity of living in a residential community.”
Michael Scarafile, president of Carolina One Real Estate, echoed his remarks.
“One reason is that Sullivan’s doesn’t allow short-term rentals,” he said. “Those are all residential sales.”
Scarafile pointed to the recent run of seven- and eight-figure purchases as an example of the age-old principle of supply and demand.
“There just aren’t that many houses on Sullivan’s, and the market for residential use on the islands continues to perform well,” he said. “The high-end market is holding up very well.”
Owen Tyler, managing broker of Cassina Real Estate Group, agreed prices on Sullivan’s are rising because of the dearth of inventory and continued interest among would-be buyers from outside the region or state.
“They aren’t building more of the island,” he said.
Tyler also pointed to a community-minded vibe on Sullivan’s as an attraction for buyers who can afford the lifestyle.
“Sullivan’s Island has always been for a lot of people the epitome of where they want to live,” he said. “It has great beaches, it’s an island and it has a small-town atmosphere. Nothing feels out of place or unusual.”
But Tyler doesn’t buy the notion that the town’s 22-year-old rental policy of not allowing overnight stays of less than 28 days has an impact on home sales.
“Are people wanting to live there because of a lack of short-term rentals? Maybe, but I don’t ever hear that,” he said. “Most of the people who are buying recently are not full-time residents of Sullivan’s.”
To Tyler, the main factor driving up prices is an abundance of deep-pocketed buyers who are able to make quick and mostly cash offers for an extremely limited number of homes.
“We can’t find enough people to sell (homes), which is why you are seeing the price escalation,” he said.
The most recent transaction involved the five-bedroom oceanfront house with five bathrooms and two half baths at 3213 Middle St. It changed hands March 29 at the list price of $7.95 million, according to Charleston County land records.
The buyer is a limited liability company from Florence. The seller is a Charlotte firm that bought the property when it was a vacant lot for $2.5 million in 2020. The 4,160-square-foot house near Breach Inlet was completed the next year.
Ashley Haynes of East Islands Real Estate represented the seller, and Tommy Manous of Carolina One Real Estate represented the buyer.
The sale follows two other notable residential transactions on Sullivan’s.
A 4,350-square-foot oceanside house at 2411 Atlantic Ave. last month fetched $10.1 million, shy of the all-time record of $10.5 million a buyer paid for 1901 Thee St. in 2021.
Earlier this year, a 4,360-square-foot spread at 812 Conquest Ave. on the western end of Sullivan’s changed hands for $8.7 million.
SULLIVANS ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — Circuit Court Judge Jennifer McCoy sided with Sullivan's Island to allow Town Council members to reintroduce protective guidelines for the forest.For years, neighbors have been concerned about others cutting down trees to get better views of the ocean. In 2020, previous Town Council members entered into an agreement that would allow selective trimming of the forest.Read More: ...
SULLIVANS ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — Circuit Court Judge Jennifer McCoy sided with Sullivan's Island to allow Town Council members to reintroduce protective guidelines for the forest.
For years, neighbors have been concerned about others cutting down trees to get better views of the ocean. In 2020, previous Town Council members entered into an agreement that would allow selective trimming of the forest.
Read More: Judge sides with Town of Sullivan's Island in Maritime Forest cutting dispute
"In 2020, there was a divided Town Council agreement to settle a long standing lawsuit that started in 2010," Cyndy Ewing with Sullivan's Island for All said. "And it was four to three."
"The lawsuit agreement took away the governing rights of Town Council members, so they were not allowed to talk about the land, trees, or any kind of management," she continued. "It was taking away a personal freedom and the government's ability to govern."
This new ruling from McCoy means the town is no longer obligated to follow that previous decision.
Circuit Court Judge Jennifer McCoy sided with Sullivan's Island to allow Town Council members to reintroduce protective guidelines for the forest. (WCIV)
"This is huge," Ewing said. "It's put the power of government back into the elected officials hands where it should be."
It's considered a win for preservation groups, who say the lush landscape serves as a home for plants and wildlife, while providing a barrier against storms.
Read More: Illegal cutting of Maritime Forest under investigation; council hires attorney
"Our #1 threat on Sullivan's Island was hurricane storm surge," Ewing said. "And the #1 protection is the trees and shrubs that will stop the storm surge. It's incredibly valuable. And we found out it's even better than building a dune because the trees and shrubs will grow back and we don't have to pay millions of dollars to rebuild a dune."
Sullivan's Island Mayor Pat O'Neil stated he is very pleased the judge agreed the settlement wasn't consistent with the laws of South Carolina.
"We had heard from many, many, many islanders who were very unhappy with that agreement," O'Neil said. "Given that we had a belief that it was not legal, we felt we had an obligation to take it to court. And it turns out, the judge agreed with that contention, so we're quite pleased with that."
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. — Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic completed a week of communications testing on April 7 using manned and unmanned systems on Sullivan’s Island in collaboration with Indiana-based Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane.Organizers said underpinning the entire test event was a Department of the Navy (DON) imperative to develop a future fleet that better connects critical command and control (C2) functions to various weapons, integrated sensors and small unmanned systems....
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. — Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic completed a week of communications testing on April 7 using manned and unmanned systems on Sullivan’s Island in collaboration with Indiana-based Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane.
Organizers said underpinning the entire test event was a Department of the Navy (DON) imperative to develop a future fleet that better connects critical command and control (C2) functions to various weapons, integrated sensors and small unmanned systems.
“Our collaboration with NSWC Crane illustrates the outstanding value that warfare centers bring to the greater naval enterprise,” said Peter C. Reddy, NIWC Atlantic executive director. “Alongside the amazing support of Sullivan’s Island and its small community, it was remarkable to see the teamwork, passion and dedication on display all week as each participant worked to advance vital capabilities for our warfighters.”
In addition to aligning with naval strategic doctrine like distributed maritime operations (DMO) and expeditionary advanced base operations (EABO), the communications experiment aligned with a vital Department of Defense initiative called Joint All-Domain C2, or JADC2.
Greg Hays, NIWC Atlantic’s senior scientific technology manager for rapid prototyping, experimentation and fleet exercises, said the operational technologies and architecture for the DON’s future fleet are best written in real-world environments that are experimental in nature.
“We know that developing the best capabilities for our warfighters to conduct DMO and EABO requires realistic experimentation,” Hays said. “Everything changes when you leave a lab environment; therefore, we are looking to operationalize experimentation.
“We don’t experiment for the sake of experimentation,” he added. “We do it to reach an outcome, where the results inform how the Navy designs future tools and communications that are developed for the warfighter.”
Most of the test equipment — which included a tethered, radio-equipped aerostat flying overhead and unmanned surface vessels in and around Charleston Harbor — launched from the western tip of Sullivan’s Island. Communications also established on beaches near Fort Moultrie and a pier off Fort Sumter National Monument tested the interoperability of various system configurations.
Cliff Hunt, NIWC Atlantic’s senior scientific technical manager for assured communications and a major facilitator of the exercise, said the community support in the weeks and months leading up to the event was invaluable.
“Sullivan’s Island has a long history of supporting the nation’s military, dating all the way back to Fort Moultrie in the Revolutionary War,” Hunt said. “We are very appreciative of the town and its community members for showing us so much support during this week’s technology experiment.”
NIWC Atlantic routinely conducts testing on Sullivan’s Island. Leaders said military radios did not interfere with other frequencies or electronic communications in the area.
Robert Gamberg, NSWC Crane’s fleet experimentation lead, said the environment was the perfect place for his team to carry out their mission.
“To evaluate communications intended for a tactical maritime environment, we needed a realistic setting,” said Gamberg, who grew up in South Carolina and traveled here to lead the exercise. “Thanks to NIWC Atlantic’s overwhelmingly strong support throughout the planning, coordination and execution of this event, our team could operate in an ideal location that enabled the successful completion of critical testing and experimentation.”
About NIWC Atlantic
As a part of Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, NIWC Atlantic provides systems engineering and acquisition to deliver information warfare capabilities to the naval, joint and national warfighter through the acquisition, development, integration, production, test, deployment, and sustainment of interoperable command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, cyber and information technology capabilities.
About NSWC Crane
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory in Crane, Indiana, and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi-spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today’s warfighter.
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD)- During a sunny and clear day, the old Pitt Street Bridge or ‘Old Bridge’ on Sullivan’s Island is a spot for local fisherman to look for a fresh catch.“I like to fish up here because the Red Drum will travel down the grass line,” said Mark Thawley.Since 1985, Thawley has been coming to this enclave with his rod and string. He says that back then people at Haddrell’s Point Tackle shop told him that this spot was the best for fishing.“I’ve...
SULLIVAN’S ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD)- During a sunny and clear day, the old Pitt Street Bridge or ‘Old Bridge’ on Sullivan’s Island is a spot for local fisherman to look for a fresh catch.
“I like to fish up here because the Red Drum will travel down the grass line,” said Mark Thawley.
Since 1985, Thawley has been coming to this enclave with his rod and string. He says that back then people at Haddrell’s Point Tackle shop told him that this spot was the best for fishing.
“I’ve been fishing here ever since. It’s that good of a spot,” said Thawley. “Last year on October 24 I caught a seven-pound flounder here; my biggest yet.”
But, Thawley’s saltwater sanctuary has long been dormant and is in need of repairs.
“It’s not very safe. There’s a little bench up there, but there’s no railing or anything like that. It’s a rugged little walk so old people might have a hard time. It’s not very safe for them either,” said Thawley.
The old Pitt Street Bridge once connected Mount Pleasant and Sullivan’s Island with trolleys going to and from each side. The remnants of the Old Bridge have stood in the water and on the banks for decades after the Ben Sawyer Bridge was built in 1945.
“It’s been sitting here idle, but it’s a piece of history for the town,” said Andy Benke, the Town Administrator for Sullivan’s Island. “It’s a great recreational place.”
Due to the old bridge’s historical significance, the Town of Sullivan’s Island wants to keep the structure intact. Since 2018, town leaders have been exploring methods to stabilize and restore the area from the erosion that’s impacted the shoreline.
“We watched earlier a large watercraft go by at a very slow bell, but he still drew water as he approached and he threw out a small wake as it went by,” said Benke. “It’s just constant motion on the docks near us and the Old Bridge. It causes water to wash up around the backside of this structure and eventually erosion.”
Other causes of erosion, mostly on the structure’s north side, are due to tidal flooding and rainfall.
The Town of Sullivan’s Island is getting closer to a solution though. Town Council is in the process of getting construction drawings to restore and stabilize the area. After that, a contractor can be hired and construction could begin in the fall of 2023.
“We’ll stabilize the foundation of the Old Bridge with an environmentally friendly product, sandbags, dirt and vegetation,” said Benke.
Hope for an improved Old Bridge has Thawley feeling optimistic that his favorite fishing spot will be even better than before.
“If they just put a little bit into it that would be great,” said Thawley.