Ultrasound Imaging — The Jackson Clinics

What Is Ultrasound Imaging in Physical Therapy?

Ultrasound imaging—also called musculoskeletal ultrasonography (MSK ultrasound)—is a safe, non-invasive way for your physical therapist to view soft tissues in real time. Using sound waves (not radiation), we can visualize muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and joint structures as they move and respond to load.

Unlike the type of ultrasound used for treatment, MSK ultrasonography is designed specifically to evaluate soft-tissue structure, mechanics, and function related to movement and pain.

What We’ll Cover

  • How Physical Therapists Use MSK Ultrasound
  • What MSK Ultrasound Can Show
  • Conditions That Benefit from Ultrasound Imaging
  • Ultrasound-Guided Dry Needling
  • When We Use Ultrasound for Movement Feedback
  • What to Expect During Your Visit

Ultrasound Imaging Specialists:

Arlington/Shirlington: Dr. John van Koetsveld, PT, DPT, OCS, CCI, Cert. DN, Cert. SMT, Dip. Osteopractic®

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What Is Ultrasound Used for in Physical Therapy?

1) To Support a More Informed Assessment

MSK ultrasound provides clear, real-time visualization of soft tissues, allowing us to observe:

  • Tendon structure or thickening
  • Bursal or joint effusion
  • Ligament changes
  • Nerve mobility or irritation
  • Tissue healing behavior
  • Scar tissue development

These insights help guide and refine your plan of care, ensuring decisions are based on how your tissues are actually functioning.

2) Ultrasound-Guided Dry Needling

Ultrasound can also guide dry needling with a high degree of precision—especially in deep, sensitive, or anatomically complex regions.

Benefits include:

  • Accurate placement in specific tissues
  • Improved ability to target tendinopathies, adhesions, or localized soft-tissue dysfunction
  • Increased safety by visualizing nearby structures
  • Better comfort and confidence during treatment
  • More effective access to areas not easily palpated

This added precision is particularly useful in tendon-related conditions and regions with limited tactile feedback.

Common Conditions That Benefit From MSK Ultrasound Imaging

  • Rotator cuff and shoulder pain
  • Tendinopathies (Achilles, patellar, gluteal, etc.)
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Nerve mobility or irritation issues
  • Post-surgical swelling or stiffness
  • Chronic soft-tissue or joint pain

If you’re unsure whether MSK ultrasound may be helpful for your condition, we’re always happy to explain when and why we use it.

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FAQs

1) Can Physical Therapists Use Ultrasound Imaging?

Yes—many physical therapists receive advanced training in musculoskeletal ultrasonography. PTs use MSK ultrasound to observe, assess, and monitor soft-tissue structure and movement patterns, while remaining within a physical therapist’s scope of practice.

This allows for more informed, individualized treatment planning.

2) Why Choose Ultrasound Imaging in Physical Therapy?

MSK ultrasound allows us to:

  • Better understand how your tissues are functioning
  • Identify contributing factors to pain or movement limitations
  • Make real-time adjustments to your plan of care
  • Reduce unnecessary external imaging or referrals
  • Provide treatment that is more personalized and precise

It supports smarter, evidence-guided clinical decision-making.

3) When We Use Ultrasound for Movement Feedback (Used Selectively)

Ultrasound can also be used to provide visual feedback on muscle activation during specific tasks.

This is not the primary use of MSK ultrasound but can be helpful in certain cases, such as:

  • Core coordination
  • Pelvic floor retraining
  • Select post-surgical strengthening
  • Seeing muscles contract in real time can help patients better understand and control targeted movements—used only when it adds value to the rehabilitation process.

 

What to Expect During Your Visit

Simple, Comfortable, and Quick.

  1. A small amount of gel is applied to your skin.
  2. A handheld probe glides over the area being evaluated.
  3. You can view your tissues and movement on screen in real time.
  4. There is no pain, no radiation, and no downtime—just clear, immediate insight into what’s happening beneath the surface.

Many patients find it fascinating to actually see their muscles in action, especially when working on movement or core control.

See What’s Really Going On

MSK ultrasound brings clarity to your care. If you want a clearer understanding of your pain, mechanics, or recovery, ultrasound imaging can help identify what your tissues are telling us.

It’s time to take the guesswork out of your recovery.

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Locations and specialists are subject to change. Please call 540-687-8181 for the most current information.

Ultrasound Imaging is Offered At:

Arlington/Shirlington
2800 Shirlington Road
Suite 510
Arlington VA 22206
Tel: 703.933.0038
Fax: 888.974.0317