Condition we treatGT Physical Therapy, Pascagoula
Back pain and sciatica treatment in Pascagoula, MS
Most back pain has a mechanical cause that can be found and treated. Dr. Austin Baskin, PT, DPT, examines how you move, explains what he finds in plain language, and usually starts treatment at the first visit.
- Insurance
- Medicare and most major plans. We check your benefits before your first visit.
- Referral
- Not needed to start in most cases. See how it works
- Google reviews
- 5.0 from 49 reviews.
Back pain that won't go away
If rest, injections, or generic PT haven't fixed it — there's usually a reason. Most back pain is mechanical, which means it responds to the right hands-on treatment.
Back pain is the #1 cause of disability worldwide — but most of it is highly treatable with the right approach. At GT PT, we don't guess. Dr. Baskin performs a thorough mechanical evaluation to identify exactly what's driving your pain: a disc, a joint, tight muscles, poor movement patterns, or a combination.
We combine manual therapy, dry needling with e-stim, McKenzie Method, and corrective exercise — a hands-on approach that most patients haven't experienced before. You see the same clinician every visit, who knows your case and adjusts each session based on your response.
How long it takes depends on how long you've had pain, what's driving it, and how you respond. Acute cases often improve faster; chronic cases take longer. Either way, progress is measured every visit and the plan changes if you're not improving.
For most non-emergency cases, clinical guidelines recommend physical therapy before considering elective back surgery. Surgery is best reserved for cases that don't respond to conservative care or that involve red-flag signs.
Why specific treatment matters
Generic exercise sheets often miss the specific mechanical cause of your pain. Effective back pain treatment is individualized, hands-on, and adjusted session by session based on your response.
Common causes we resolve at GT PT
Back pain isn't one condition — it's a symptom. Identifying the source determines the treatment.
Lumbar disc herniation
A bulging or herniated disc compresses nearby nerves, causing local back pain and often sciatica into the leg. Most disc herniations improve without surgery, and manual therapy plus directional exercise is a first-line approach.
Sciatica
Pain, numbness, or tingling radiating from the low back down one leg. Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis — the cause determines the correct treatment. We identify it and fix it.
Facet joint dysfunction
Stiff or irritated facet joints are one of the most common and undertreated causes of low back pain. Joint mobilization and manipulation can reduce pain and restore motion as part of an active plan.
Muscle strain & trigger points
Hyperirritable points in the paraspinals, glutes, and hip flexors cause persistent aching and stiffness. Dry needling with e-stim treats them directly, alongside exercise.
Postural & movement dysfunction
Prolonged sitting, desk work, and poor movement patterns load the spine unevenly over time. We fix the movement pattern — not just the pain — so it stays fixed.
Degenerative disc disease
Disc degeneration is normal aging — but it doesn't have to cause pain. We reduce inflammation, restore mobility, and build the strength that keeps you functional long-term.
How we treat back pain at GT PT
A specific, hands-on approach — not a generic protocol.
Manual therapy & joint mobilization
Skilled hands-on techniques to restore normal joint mechanics, decompress irritated spinal segments, and reduce pain. Your response is rechecked before you leave each session.
Dry needling with E-Stim
Thin needles target trigger points in the paraspinals, glutes, and hip muscles. Combined with electrical stimulation when appropriate, it is used to reduce pain and muscle guarding so you can move and load better.
McKenzie Method
A systematic approach to finding the exact movement that centralizes your pain. Once identified, you have a self-treatment tool that puts you in control of your recovery — at home, not just in the clinic.
Corrective exercise & movement retraining
Pain relief is step one. Building the movement patterns and strength to prevent recurrence is step two. Your home program is specific, simple, and built around your presentation.
Pain neuroscience education
Chronic back pain has a neurological component. Understanding how your pain system works — and why it's sometimes overactive — is one of the most powerful tools for lasting recovery.
Diagnostic ultrasound imaging
Dr. Baskin uses real-time ultrasound to visualize soft tissue, guide precise dry needling, and support his assessment.
What to expect at your first appointment
From call to treatment — no surprises.
Call & get scheduled fast
Call 228-471-5047. We'll get you in — typically same week. We accept Medicare and most insurance. We'll verify your benefits before you arrive — no surprises.
Thorough mechanical evaluation
Dr. Baskin performs a full assessment to identify exactly what's driving your back pain — not just where it hurts. You leave the first visit understanding your diagnosis and your plan.
Treatment begins same day
Hands-on treatment starts at your first appointment. Manual therapy, dry needling, or both — depending on what your evaluation shows. Dr. Baskin rechecks your movement and symptoms before you leave.
Clear plan with a realistic timeline
You leave with a specific treatment plan — how many sessions, what your home program is, and what a realistic recovery looks like. No open-ended plans, no vague "let's see how it goes."
Your physical therapist
Dr. Austin Baskin, PT, DPT
Austin owns GT Physical Therapy. He does your evaluation, builds your plan, and treats you at every visit. Most of that time is one-on-one.
- Doctor of Physical Therapy, Mississippi license #PT 7623
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- Post-graduate certification in dry needling (Cert DN)
- Guest lecturer, William Carey University Doctor of Physical Therapy program
Insurance and payment
We check your benefits before your first visit, so you know your costs up front.
- Medicare
- BlueCross BlueShield
- UnitedHealthcare
- Cigna
- Aetna
- Workers' comp
Self-pay rates are available. Don't see your plan? Call and we'll check it for you.
Back pain questions
Do I need a referral for back pain physical therapy in Mississippi?
Most commercial insurance plans don't require a referral — Mississippi is a direct access state. Medicare does not require a referral to start physical therapy; it requires your plan of care to be certified by a physician or qualified provider within 30 days of your evaluation, which we help coordinate. Call 228-471-5047 and we'll verify your benefits and coordinate any referrals needed.
Can PT actually fix a herniated disc?
Yes — and the evidence is clear. The majority of disc herniations resolve with proper physical therapy without surgery. Manual therapy and directional (McKenzie) exercises are well-supported conservative treatments for disc-related pain and sciatica. Many people referred for back surgery improve with a course of physical therapy first.
How long will it take to see results?
Recovery time varies by individual and condition. Your response is measured throughout your plan of care, and Dr. Baskin reviews your expected timeline with you at your first visit.
Why didn't my previous PT help?
Effective back pain treatment is mechanical — it requires identifying your specific movement pattern, treating hands-on, and adjusting each session based on how you respond. That's how GT PT works.
Should I wait for the pain to go away on its own?
For mild, acute pain — sometimes. But if you're in week 2+ and not improving, or if pain is radiating into your leg, waiting is not a strategy. Early treatment produces faster recovery, lower recurrence, and lower odds of developing chronic pain.
Does insurance cover back pain physical therapy?
In most cases, yes — back pain is one of the most commonly covered PT conditions. We accept Medicare, most major insurance, workers' comp, and cash pay. We verify your benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises.
Call, visit, or ask a question
We schedule by phone. If you're not sure physical therapy is right for your problem, call and ask.
Hours
| Mon–Thu | 8:00 am – 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Friday | 8:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Sat–Sun | Closed |
Patients come to us from Pascagoula, Moss Point, Gautier, Ocean Springs, Escatawpa, and across Jackson County.