MSK Therapeutics in Durham, NC

What is MSK Therapeutics?

MSK Therapeutics is a protocol-driven, ultrasound-guided system for advanced musculoskeletal care designed to find the true source of joint pain and treat the exact tissue that needs help. Instead of guessing, we use real-time diagnostic ultrasound to see your shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, or ankle in motion, then deliver targeted, image-guided treatment along a clear, repeatable plan.

At Complete Chiropractic Sports & Wellness in Durham, most patients arrive after they have already tried physical therapy, massage, chiropractic care, rest, activity changes, even injections, and they are still in pain. MSK Therapeutics is built for that moment: clear diagnosis, targeted treatment, and a faster, more meaningful recovery.

What the protocol does

The goal is simple: find the true source of joint pain and treat the exact tissue involved. To do that, the protocol uses:

• Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound to see the joint move in real time
• Real-time, ultrasound-guided interventions delivered with precision
• A set dosing plan to support tissue healing
• Ongoing checks to confirm the joint is genuinely improving
• Individualized treatment plan based on exam findings

Most treatment plans are guided by findings from the patient’s clinical examination and, when appropriate, an MSK Ultrasound Assessment.

This is a clear pathway designed to improve tissue quality and joint function, not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Depending on the findings, treatment may include:

• Ultrasound-guided dry needling
• Electro-dry needling
• Shockwave therapy
• Red light therapy
• Progressive rehabilitation
• Mobility and movement retraining
• Load management strategies
• Performance-focused exercise programming

The specific interventions selected depend on the condition, examination findings, treatment goals, and clinical response.

The goal is not simply to reduce symptoms. The goal is to improve tissue quality, restore joint function, and create the foundation for improved movement and performance.

Why ultrasound matters

Musculoskeletal ultrasound lets us watch muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints move, along with swelling and early tissue changes. That level of clarity is something static imaging cannot provide, and it allows us to target the structure that is actually driving your pain. Ultrasound is one part of the clinical evaluation and does not replace MRI, X-ray, medical referral, or other previous consultation.

Tracking healing over time

Unlike static examinations, musculoskeletal ultrasound may also be used during the recovery process to monitor selected tissues, evaluate healing, and guide treatment progression when clinically appropriate. This allows providers to combine symptoms, physical examination findings, functional performance, and imaging information when making treatment decisions.

How MSK Ultrasound Assessment and MSK Therapeutics work together

• MSK Ultrasound Assessment and MSK Therapeutics are separate services that serve different purposes.
• MSK Ultrasound Assessment is designed to gather information and identify the tissues involved.
• MSK Therapeutics is the treatment process used when findings indicate that targeted intervention may be appropriate.
• Assessment identifies the tissue.
• MSK Therapeutics delivers the treatment plan.
• Not every assessment results in treatment, and not every treatment plan requires ultrasound. Recommendations are based on clinical findings, patient goals, and provider judgment.

What to expect during your visit

1. Consultation — We talk through your pain, your history, and your goals.
2. Physical exam — You move, and we watch how your body works to see what is tight, weak, or not moving well.
3. Diagnostic ultrasound — We use high-resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound to look at muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints in real time, catching changes other tests may miss.
4. Treatment recommendation — We review the findings and determine the most appropriate next steps.
5. Targeted treatment — When clinically appropriate, treatment may begin during the same visit using ultrasound guidance for accuracy and safety.

Who it helps

MSK Therapeutics is a strong fit for patients across Durham and the Triangle dealing with:

• Shoulder pain and rotator cuff injuries — tendon irritation, impingement, and soft-tissue damage we can see and target on ultrasound
• Knee pain, hip pain, and elbow pain — joint pain, stiffness, or instability assessed in real time
• Sprains, strains, and overuse injuries — repetitive-stress and sports-related tissue problems
• Bursitis and joint arthritis — inflammation and degenerative changes that benefit from precise, image-guided care
• Work injuries and chronic pain that has not improved with other care
• Patients who simply want a clear diagnosis before starting any treatment

If you are not sure whether MSK Therapeutics fits your situation, your initial exam and ultrasound will answer that question clearly.

Common MSK Therapeutics pathways

Shoulder pain

Assessment → Ultrasound Findings → Treatment → Rehabilitation → Return to Activity

Tennis elbow

Assessment → Tendon Evaluation → Shockwave + Dry Needling → Progressive Loading

Achilles tendinopathy

Assessment → Tendon Evaluation → Shockwave → Strength Progression → Return to Running

Knee pain

Assessment → Movement Analysis → Targeted Treatment → Performance Restoration

MSK Ultrasound Assessment identifies the problem. MSK Therapeutics helps address it.

Why patients choose MSK Therapeutics

People choose this protocol because they want a diagnosis they can see, treatment that targets the exact structure involved, a simple and predictable plan, and a path toward a healthier joint, not just temporary pain relief. They want clarity, precision, and real, measurable progress.

When it helps your recovery, MSK Therapeutics works alongside our other in-house care, including chiropractic care, dry needling, and physiotherapy, so your whole plan is coordinated under one roof.

Why patients travel to Durham for MSK Therapeutics

Patients often travel from Cary, Chapel Hill, Apex, Morrisville, Raleigh, Holly Springs, Wake Forest, and throughout the Triangle for MSK Therapeutics because they want answers. Many have already tried physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic care, injections, medications, or rest without lasting improvement.

Our approach combines diagnostic ultrasound, targeted treatment, objective progress tracking, and a structured recovery plan designed to identify the true source of pain and help restore long-term joint function.

Why choose Complete Chiropractic Sports & Wellness

Patients from Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Morrisville, Apex, Raleigh, and Research Triangle Park choose us for:

• In-office diagnostic ultrasound
• Real-time, ultrasound-guided treatment
• A structured protocol that supports healing
• Care tailored to your goals and your anatomy
• A focus on long-term joint health, not quick fixes

Dr. Lowell Faison combines expertise in sports medicine, musculoskeletal ultrasound, rehabilitation, corrective exercise, and movement-based care to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions. As a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Corrective Exercise Specialist since 2007, with advanced training in Functional Movement Systems (FMS) and Selective Functional Movement Assessment (SFMA), he specializes in identifying factors that contribute to pain, movement limitations, recurring injuries, and performance deficits. By combining diagnostic evaluation, movement assessment, rehabilitation, and individualized treatment planning, Dr. Faison helps patients reduce pain, restore function, improve movement quality, and return to work, exercise, sport, and the activities they enjoy.

Not sure whether you need an MSK Ultrasound Assessment or MSK Therapeutics?

Start with an MSK Ultrasound Assessment.

It provides the information we need to determine the appropriate next step and whether MSK Therapeutics may be beneficial for your situation.

Schedule an MSK Ultrasound Assessment →

Why MSK Therapeutics is different

Most musculoskeletal treatments begin with symptoms.

MSK Therapeutics begins with objective findings.

By combining clinical examination, movement assessment, diagnostic ultrasound, targeted intervention, rehabilitation, and progress tracking, we create a structured pathway designed to improve tissue quality, joint function, and long-term performance.

Schedule your MSK Therapeutics visit

If you want clear answers and a plan that targets the real problem, MSK Therapeutics may be the right next step. Visit our New Patients page to learn about your first-visit options, or book an appointment online in under a minute. You can also call us at (919) 908-7170; we are located at 7011 Fayetteville Road, Suite 106, Durham, NC 27713.