Condition we treatGT Physical Therapy, Pascagoula
Knee pain and knee arthritis treatment in Pascagoula, MS
Knee arthritis, kneecap pain, and knees that make stairs and walking harder. Nonsurgical care built on hands-on treatment and progressive exercise, with dry needling when it helps, including for people who haven't done well with cortisone shots.
- 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.
Knee pain that PT can actually fix
GT Physical Therapy specializes in knee pain — including knee osteoarthritis, where our dry needling + e-stim protocol produces results that cortisone shots often can't sustain.
Most patients with knee OA are told to lose weight, take anti-inflammatories, and get injections — a cycle that provides temporary relief but never addresses the underlying mechanical dysfunction. At GT PT, we target the actual cause: impaired muscle function around the knee, faulty movement mechanics, and trigger points that perpetuate joint pain.
Our signature approach combines dry needling with electrical stimulation — targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, and IT band to flush metabolic waste from the joint, reduce pain sensitization, and restore muscle function around the knee. Your progress is measured throughout your plan of care.
Whether your knee pain is from arthritis, a sports injury, or post-surgical stiffness — you see the same Doctor of Physical Therapy every single visit, who tracks your response and adjusts treatment accordingly.
Many of our knee OA patients report meaningful pain reduction and improved function. Some come to us after cortisone shots stopped working.
Why dry needling + E-Stim works for knees
The e-stim generates sustained muscle contractions that flush pain-sensitizing chemicals from the knee joint — the same chemicals that cause chronic aching and stiffness. Combined with needle placement in key trigger points, it is used to reduce pain and muscle guarding so you can move and load better.
Knee conditions we treat
From chronic arthritis to acute injuries — we have a specific, evidence-based approach for each.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Deep aching, morning stiffness, pain with stairs and walking. Dry needling with electrical stimulation may help reduce joint pain, including where injections have failed.
Patellofemoral pain (Runner's knee)
Pain around or behind the kneecap, worse going downstairs or after prolonged sitting. Typically responds well to targeted hip and quad strengthening, load management, and patellar mobilization.
Patellar tendinopathy (Jumper's knee)
Pain just below the kneecap during and after activity. Dry needling breaks the chronic pain cycle that rest and cortisone can't touch long-term. Combined with eccentric loading for lasting results.
ACL & PCL injuries
Whether surgical or non-surgical, ACL and PCL rehab requires progressive strengthening and neuromuscular retraining. We build the program around your specific goals — whether that's return to sport or return to daily function.
Meniscus Tears
Conservative management for meniscus tears — manual therapy, strengthening, and activity modification. Many meniscus tears heal or become asymptomatic with the right PT program, avoiding surgery entirely.
Post-Surgical knee rehab
Structured recovery after total knee replacement, ACL reconstruction, or meniscus repair. Proper post-op PT is the difference between a good outcome and a great one.
How we treat knee pain at GT PT
A specific, hands-on protocol — not generic exercises on a mat.
Dry needling with E-Stim
Our signature approach for knee OA. Targets quads, hamstrings, and IT band with needles + electrical stimulation. Flushes pain chemicals, restores muscle function, supports joint function. Your progress is measured throughout your plan of care.
Manual therapy & patellar mobilization
Hands-on joint mobilization restores patellar tracking, reduces joint stiffness, and improves the mechanical function of the entire knee complex.
Quadriceps & hip strengthening
Quad weakness is a major, modifiable risk factor for knee OA progression. We rebuild quad and hip strength to offload the joint — improving long-term prognosis and reducing recurrence.
Gait & movement retraining
How you walk, climb stairs, and load your knee drives your symptoms. We identify and correct the movement patterns that are keeping your knee painful.
ACL & post-Surgical protocol
Phased return-to-function programming after ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, or knee replacement — with clear criteria for each progression stage.
Diagnostic ultrasound imaging
Real-time visualization of the patellar tendon, IT band, and soft tissue around the knee for precision diagnosis and guided dry needling when needed.
What to expect at your first appointment
From call to treatment — no surprises.
Call & get scheduled fast
Call 228-471-5047. Same-week scheduling for most patients. Medicare and most insurance accepted. We'll verify your benefits before your first visit so you know your costs upfront.
Full knee evaluation
Dr. Baskin performs a thorough assessment — testing movement, strength, joint mechanics, and identifying the exact drivers of your knee pain. You leave the first visit understanding your problem and your plan.
Treatment starts same day
Dry needling, manual therapy, or both — based on your evaluation. Dr. Baskin rechecks your knee before you leave the first appointment.
Specific plan, clear timeline
You leave with a specific treatment plan and realistic recovery timeline. No open-ended plans, no vague "we'll see." Dr. Baskin tells you exactly what to expect.
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.
Knee pain questions
Can physical therapy help knee osteoarthritis?
Yes. Exercise and manual therapy are recommended as first-line conservative care for knee OA in clinical guidelines. We combine progressive exercise and manual therapy with dry needling and electrical stimulation when clinically appropriate.
Does dry needling help knee pain?
Yes. Dry needling combined with electrical stimulation is one option we use for knee OA and patellar tendinopathy, when clinically appropriate. It aims to reduce joint pain, improve range of motion, and support muscle function around the knee. Your response is measured throughout your plan of care.
Do I need surgery for my knee?
Not necessarily. Most knee OA, meniscus injuries, and even many ACL injuries respond well to physical therapy. Clinical guidelines recommend PT before surgery for most knee conditions. Dr. Baskin will give you an honest, specific assessment at your first visit.
Do I need a referral for knee PT 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.
How many visits will I need?
It depends on your diagnosis, how long you've had symptoms, and how you respond. Acute injuries often improve faster. Post-surgical rehab follows a longer phased protocol. Dr. Baskin gives you a specific timeline at your first visit — not a vague open-ended plan.
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.