Diagnostic Ultrasound — Ozark, MO
See It. Diagnose It. Treat It.
In One Visit.
Diagnostic ultrasound — real-time imaging and ultrasound-guided dry needling, performed by the doctor who teaches the technique.
Book YOUR AssessmentThe Technology
Real-time imaging. In your assessment.
Not weeks later.
Most clinics send you out for imaging. You wait for the referral. You wait for the appointment. You wait for the report. Weeks pass before anyone looks at what's actually going on inside your body.
At The Athlete Spot, Dr. Kauffman uses point-of-care diagnostic ultrasound during your assessment. The probe goes on your skin and you see your tendons, muscles, ligaments, and nerves on screen — in real time, while you move. No referral. No waiting. No radiation.
You get a diagnosis in the same visit. Based on what your tissue actually looks like under load — not a static MRI taken two weeks ago while you were lying still.
The Difference
Diagnosis AND treatment.
Same ultrasound. Same visit.
Most providers do one or the other. We do both — same tool, same visit.
We use ultrasound to see the problem in real time — rotator cuff tears, tendon damage, pinched nerves, ligament damage, joint swelling, muscle tears.
You see it on screen while Dr. Kauffman explains exactly what's happening and why. This isn't a black box where someone reads your images in another building. You're in the room watching your own tissue move.
Most dry needling is done without imaging. The provider feels for the tissue and needles based on anatomy alone. That works for muscles close to the surface. But for deeper structures, areas near nerves, or small targets, that's a guess.
Ultrasound-guided dry needling puts the needle exactly where it needs to go, under live imaging, in real time. You can watch the needle reach the target on screen.
Dr. Kauffman — the instructor behind the Certified Dry Needling Practitioner (CDNP) program at SmartCARE Education, who has taught over 300 doctors the technique — combines the precision of ultrasound with hands-on expertise. When needles go near nerves and deep structures, seeing exactly where they go matters.
Common Conditions
What athletes like you use it for
If your imaging came back "normal" but you're still in pain, this is often why. We image you while you move — not while you lie still.
Rotator Cuff Tears & Tendon Pain
See the tear, measure the damage, and guide treatment — all in the same visit.
See the tendon damage that X-rays miss. Know exactly what you're dealing with.
Pinched Nerves
Carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, and thoracic outlet — seen in real time, not guessed at.
Muscle Tears & Strains
Real-time imaging under contraction shows what a static scan can't.
Ligament Sprains
Assess stability and track healing progress without repeated MRI referrals.
Joint Swelling & Inflammation
See swelling that a hands-on exam can't measure. Actual data, not guesswork.
Post-Surgical Tissue Assessment
Monitor healing progress after surgery without another MRI referral.
Guided Needling for Deep Trigger Points
Precise needle placement under live imaging — for targets that blind needling can't reliably reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About MSK Ultrasound
For soft tissue — tendons, muscles, ligaments, and nerves — ultrasound is often better because it's dynamic. We image you while you move and load the tissue, which shows problems that a static MRI taken lying down can miss. MRI is still better for bone and deep joint structures, and we'll refer you for one if your case needs it.
No — it often hurts less because we can see exactly where the needle is going, which means fewer passes and more precision. You can watch on screen as the needle reaches the target.
No. Point-of-care ultrasound is performed during your assessment — no separate referral, no separate appointment, no waiting.
It's integrated into your 60-minute assessment. We don't schedule ultrasound separately — it's a tool we use when your case calls for it, right there in the visit.
No. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation. It's completely safe and can be repeated as often as needed to track your healing.
No. Point-of-care MSK ultrasound in a chiropractic sports medicine setting is uncommon. Most clinics refer out for imaging. We keep it in-house so you get answers the same day.
Dr. Thomas Kauffman
DC · CDNP · CSCS · USAW · CFL1 · FRC
Dr. Kauffman is a sports chiropractor in Ozark, Missouri and the founder of The Athlete Spot. He uses point-of-care diagnostic ultrasound for real-time diagnosis and ultrasound-guided dry needling. He created the Certified Dry Needling Practitioner (CDNP) program at SmartCARE Education and has trained over 300 doctors in the technique. In-person and virtual. No assistants. No hand-offs. Your doctor, every step of the way.
Stop Waiting for Answers.
See What's Wrong Today.
Book Your Assessment. Real-time imaging. A real diagnosis. A real plan.
(636) 224-8587 | 5349 N 22nd St, STE 5, Ozark, MO 65721