Dry Needling — Ozark, MO
Dry Needling in Ozark
& Springfield, MO
Performed by the doctor who has taught over 300 doctors.
Book YOUR AssessmentThe Technique
What dry needling actually is
Dry needling uses thin needles to release tight, painful knots in your muscles. These spots limit your movement, refer pain to other areas, and won't let go no matter how much you stretch.
“Dry” means nothing is injected. The needle itself creates the change. It is not acupuncture. Acupuncture follows traditional meridian theory. Dry needling targets specific muscle and nerve problems found during your assessment.
The Difference
Why needling alone
isn’t enough
The tight knot releases and your range of motion comes back. But if nothing changes about why that muscle got overloaded, it comes back too. That's why dry needling here is never a standalone service — it's one tool inside your physical rehabilitation program. We release the restriction. Then we put your body to work in that new range so it sticks.
You don't lose your gains between visits. Your program grows with you — so the range you unlock on the table stays because you're building the strength to hold it.
Needling opens the window. Your program climbs through it.
Who performs your dry needling matters
Plenty of clinics offer dry needling. At The Athlete Spot, it's performed by Dr. Thomas Kauffman — the instructor behind the Certified Dry Needling Practitioner (CDNP) program at SmartCARE Education. He's trained over 300 doctors and therapists in the technique.
When the treatment involves needles, who holds them matters.
Common Conditions
What athletes like you use it for
Stubborn shoulder and rotator cuff restrictions
Tennis and golfer’s elbow that won’t quit
Chronic calf and hamstring tightness that stretching never fixed
Neck tension and headache patterns
Plantar fascia and Achilles issues
Post-surgical stiffness and scar tissue restrictions
If a tight, painful spot keeps coming back no matter what you try, there's a reason. Finding it is what your Assessment is for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About Dry Needling
Does dry needling hurt?
Most athletes feel a brief, deep ache or muscle twitch when the needle hits the tight spot. That twitch is the release working. Soreness afterward feels like a hard workout. It usually clears within a day.
How many sessions does it take?
Many athletes feel better range of motion or less pain within one to three sessions. Lasting change depends on the exercises paired with it — which is why needling here always comes inside a full plan.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
No. Both use thin needles, but the reasons are completely different. Dry needling targets specific muscle and nerve problems found during your assessment. Acupuncture follows traditional meridian theory.
Do I need a referral in Missouri?
No. Missouri lets you book directly. Book YOUR Assessment and we'll tell you whether dry needling belongs in your plan.
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 created the Certified Dry Needling Practitioner (CDNP) program at SmartCARE Education and has trained over 300 doctors in the technique. He brings that same attention to detail to every patient he sees. In-person and virtual. No assistants. No hand-offs. Your doctor, every step of the way.
Ready to Find Out
What’s Really Going On?
Book YOUR Assessment. 60 minutes. A real diagnosis. A real plan.
Book YOUR Assessment(636) 224-8587 | 5349 N 22nd St, STE 5, Ozark, MO 65721