Condition we treatGT Physical Therapy, Pascagoula
Shoulder and rotator cuff pain treatment in Pascagoula, MS
From rotator cuff injuries to frozen shoulder, we find the cause, treat it hands-on, and track your progress as you go. Medicare and most insurance accepted.
- 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.
Shoulder pain that's limiting your life
Most shoulder pain has a specific mechanical driver — a tight capsule, an overloaded tendon, an impinging structure. Find it, treat it hands-on, and restore full function.
Shoulder pain is one of the most common reasons people visit a physical therapist — and one of the most undertreated. Most patients spend months on anti-inflammatories, heat packs, and generic exercises before getting a real hands-on assessment. Dr. Baskin identifies exactly what structure is driving your pain — the rotator cuff, the joint capsule, the biceps tendon, or a movement pattern — and treats it directly.
We combine manual therapy, targeted dry needling, progressive loading, and postural correction to restore range of motion and strength. Most shoulder conditions resolve significantly faster with this approach than with rest or passive treatment alone.
You see the same Doctor of Physical Therapy every visit — someone who tracks your response and adjusts every session to keep moving you forward.
Most rotator cuff tears — even partial thickness — respond excellently to PT. Surgery should always follow a quality trial of physical therapy first.
Why most shoulder PT fails
Generic rotator cuff exercises and resistance bands won't fix a stiff joint capsule or an overloaded tendon with myofascial trigger points. Effective shoulder treatment requires hands-on assessment and specific manual therapy — not a sheet of exercises to do at home.
Shoulder conditions we treat
If it involves your shoulder, we have a specific, evidence-based plan for it.
Rotator cuff tendinopathy & tears
Partial and full-thickness rotator cuff injuries. Dry needling targets trigger points in the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis. Progressive loading restores tendon capacity without surgery in most cases.
Frozen shoulder (Adhesive capsulitis)
Stiff, painful shoulder with progressive loss of motion. Manual joint mobilization and capsular stretching are core treatments for frozen shoulder and are recommended over passive waiting alone.
Shoulder Impingement
Pain with overhead movements, reaching, or lifting. Usually driven by a combination of poor scapular mechanics, rotator cuff weakness, and muscle imbalance. Correctable with the right hands-on approach.
AC joint injuries
Acromioclavicular joint sprains from falls or collisions. Manual therapy and progressive loading restore full stability and function — avoiding unnecessary surgery for most Grade I–III injuries.
Post-Surgical shoulder rehab
Structured recovery after rotator cuff repair, SLAP repair, shoulder replacement, or labrum surgery. We follow evidence-based protocols and communicate directly with your surgeon.
Biceps Tendinopathy
Pain at the front of the shoulder, worse with lifting or overhead activity. Dry needling and progressive loading are conservative options for most biceps tendon problems.
How we treat shoulder pain at GT PT
A hands-on, specific approach — not a generic resistance band program.
Manual therapy & joint mobilization
Hands-on glenohumeral and scapulothoracic mobilization to restore normal joint mechanics and capsular flexibility. Especially effective for frozen shoulder and impingement.
Dry needling with E-Stim
Targets trigger points in the rotator cuff muscles, upper trap, and periscapular muscles. Rapidly reduces pain and muscle guarding as part of your plan of care, when clinically appropriate.
Scapular Stabilization
Poor scapular control is a primary driver of shoulder impingement and rotator cuff overload. We rebuild the muscle coordination patterns that protect the shoulder joint long-term.
Progressive rotator cuff loading
Evidence-based tendon loading programs that restore rotator cuff capacity without overstressing the tissue. Replaces generic "rotator cuff exercises" with a precise, progressive protocol.
Postural & thoracic correction
Forward head posture and thoracic stiffness directly restrict shoulder mechanics. We address both — a step most shoulder PT programs miss entirely.
Diagnostic ultrasound imaging
Real-time visualization of rotator cuff, biceps tendon, and bursa — to confirm the diagnosis and guide precise 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. We'll get you in — typically same week. Medicare and most insurance accepted. We'll verify your benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises.
Thorough shoulder evaluation
Dr. Baskin performs a comprehensive assessment — testing shoulder strength, range of motion, joint mobility, and movement patterns. You leave knowing what's driving your pain and what the plan is.
Hands-On treatment starts same day
Manual therapy, dry needling, or both — based on what your evaluation reveals. Dr. Baskin rechecks your pain and range of motion before you leave the first visit.
Specific plan with a clear timeline
You leave with a realistic treatment plan — how many sessions, what to do at home, and what full recovery looks like. No open-ended "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.
Shoulder pain questions
Do I need surgery for a rotator cuff tear?
Not necessarily. Research consistently shows that most partial rotator cuff tears — and many full-thickness tears — resolve with proper physical therapy. Surgery should follow a quality 8–12 week trial of PT. Dr. Baskin will give you an honest assessment of what your specific presentation needs at your first visit.
How long will shoulder PT take?
It depends on the diagnosis, how long you've had it, and how you respond. Acute injuries often improve faster; frozen shoulder typically takes longer and progresses in stages. You'll get an expected timeline at your first visit, not a vague open-ended plan.
Can PT really fix a frozen shoulder?
Yes — PT is a first-line conservative treatment for frozen shoulder. Manual joint mobilization, dry needling when clinically appropriate, and a specific home program help restore motion. It takes commitment, and your progress is measured throughout your plan of care.
Do I need a referral for shoulder 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.
What's the difference between impingement and a rotator cuff tear?
Impingement is a mechanical problem — a structure (usually the supraspinatus tendon or bursa) getting compressed in the subacromial space during movement. A tear is actual disruption of the tendon tissue. Both are highly treatable with PT. A tear doesn't automatically mean surgery — the research is very clear on that. Imaging doesn't always match symptoms, which is why a thorough clinical exam matters more than the MRI report.
Does insurance cover shoulder physical therapy?
In most cases, yes. We accept Medicare, most major insurance plans, workers' comp, and cash pay. We verify your specific benefits before your first visit so there are no surprises on cost.
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.