MEET OUR TEAM OF INSTRUCTORS

OUR DRY NEEDLING SUPERHEROES

DR. KEN COOPER DC, PT, DAAPM, MDNC - LEAD INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Ken Cooper PT, DC, DAAPM, MDNC began his clinical career as a 1981 Physical Therapy graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas. After working for several years at Methodist Hospital of Lubbock, Texas as a staff therapist, he became a Clinical Instructor for the interns from the Physical Therapy School at Texas Tech University Health Science Center. After a brief private practice in Lubbock he returned to Dallas and attended Parker College of Chiropractic from which he graduated Summa Cum Laude and Valedictorian. In 1990 he established a private practice in Bedford, Texas. In 2000, he formed a multi-disciplinary practice that offered medical, chiropractic and physical therapy care in addition to massage therapy and myofascial dry needling.

While working in a large hospital in the early 1980’s his personal experience of mid-back pain that was unresponsive to traditional care led him on a quest of understanding myofascial dysfunction that eventually led to the works of Dr. Janet Travell and Dr. David Simons. Their work has become common place today but was not widely known 30 years ago. Equipped with a better understanding of myofascial syndromes he proceeded to focus on myofascial issues in his physical therapy practice. He continued to follow their research and upon completion of Chiropractic College he was able to begin implementing needle therapy in his practice. He was finally able to treat trigger points as outlined in Travell and Simon’s work with dry needle approaches and enjoyed significant results. Because of his growing expertise in musculoskeletal issues with dry needle techniques, many professional athletes sought his care for not only injury recovery but performance enhancement as well. Although he obtained his certification in acupuncture he found the most satisfying treatment results with dry needle techniques and has retained this focus throughout his career. His search for effective techniques eventually led to Deitrich Klinghardt, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Klinghardt essentially brought the concepts of Neural Therapy from Germany to the United States. Neural Therapy includes extensive use of treating trigger points and other body tissues with needle-based techniques. As he trained with Dr. Klinghardt and other doctors attending his seminars he expanded the use of musculoskeletal needle therapy in his practice and even implemented them in two other medical practices on his off days from his own clinic.

Dr. Cooper is in his 37th year of professional practice and currently owns and operates Cooper Functional Services and Harwood Physical Therapy Clinic in Bedford, Texas. His main focus is orthopedics, manipulation and dry needling. He has been treating collegiate and professional athletes, including numerous Dallas Cowboys and other NFL players, since 1992. He is also an instructor for Total Motion Release Physical Therapy Seminars and is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Integrative Pain Management.

DR. SCOTT DIXON DPT, CSCS, FMT, MDNC - INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Scott Dixon began his career in Physical Therapy after graduating from Chatham University. After several years working for reputable clinics, Scott founded Integrative Physical Therapy out of a passion to focus on individual patient care and treating each person, not just their diagnosis.

He specializes in helping improve function and movement of the body through individualized focused on the entire body, not just the site of pain or injury. His goal is to restore every patient to his or her own fullest potential, to function better and to prevent future injury. Utilizing dry needling, manual therapy, and movement screening, there is a gradual progression towards whole body healing and functioning.

After Scott took his first dry needling course, dry needling quickly became a passion of his and he continues to be impressed with the patient outcomes and responses, and constantly seeks new opportunities to improve this skill. He earned more than 8 certifications in dry needling, served as guest instructors on the subject, and now teaches on a regular basis.

Health and wellness has always been important to Scott. Growing up, he led a very active lifestyle playing multiple sports. In college, he pursued his undergraduate degree in Exercise Science from Georgia State University. After several years working as a strength and conditioning coach, personal trainer, and tennis professional, he decided to pursue a career that would have a more direct impact on the health and wellbeing of the people he worked with.

The holistic approach to physical therapy led Scott to pursue extensive education and certifications in dry needling, functional movement, fascial manipulation, and many other modalities. Though he has experience with a variety of diagnoses, he specializes in working with neck and back related issues. He has also treated celebrities, professional athletes,( including several Atlanta Falcons), as well as many weekend warriors.

Scott is originally from Gainesville, Florida. He is the father of two twin girls and resides in Norcross. In his free time, Scott enjoys CrossFit, Spartan Races, and weekend adventures with his family.

MITCH HAUSCHILDT, MA, ATC, CSCS, MDNC - INSTRUCTOR

Mitch Hauschildt, MA, ATC, CSCS, MDNc serves as the Prevention, Rehab, and Physical Performance Coordinator at Missouri State University making him the leading expert on staff in the areas of injury prevention and rehabilitation. At MSU, he utilizes his knowledge of performance enhancement and sports medicine to coordinate the rehab and injury prevention programs for all 17 varsity sports. He also oversees the sports medicine needs of women’s track and field and cross-country teams. Currently in his 13th year at MSU, he has also served as strength and conditioning coach for Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, and Volleyball, as well as the athletic trainer for the highly competitive baseball team. His areas of interest are functional movement and biomechanics, as well as metabolics. Mitch is founder and president of Maximum Training Solutions, LLC, a full-service Sports Medicine and Sports Performance consultancy that he created to help coaches, trainers, therapists, and other health professionals and athletes to reach their full potential in their athletic related endeavors. He is also the Lead Instructor for Rocktape.

Over the years, Mitch has consulted with a variety of clients including universities, private physical therapy clinics, large market health systems, personal training studios, and high schools. Mitch has personally worked with thousands of athletes throughout his career. His clients have won world series rings, played in the NFL, NBA and MLS, and competed in the Olympics, but most importantly, they have achieved great personal success in local competitive events and leagues. Mitch is a noted speaker on both a regional and national level, and has been published multiple times in professional journals and coaching websites.

DR. SARAH AUSTIN, PT, DPT, MDNC - INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Sarah Austin, PT, DPT, MDNC is a licensed physical therapist in the state of Texas. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center with her Master’s in Physical Therapy in May 2002. Since graduation, Sarah has worked in numerous areas including wellness facilities, pelvic floor health, school districts, orthopedic outpatient facilities, pediatric acute care, owner of Hands of Hope, P-LLC home health, geriatric home health, and neurological rehabilitation. These many areas of physical therapy practice have helped Sarah to become a well-rounded therapist with an emphasis on holistic health utilizing dry needling techniques and biomechanical treatment aimed at homeostasis. Currently, Sarah is pursuing her transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy at A.T. Stills University.

DR. PETER FRIESEN , DPT, OCS, SCS, AT(L), CAT(C), CSCS, PES, MT(L), MDNC - INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Peter Friesen, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS, AT(L), CAT(C), MT(L), MDNC, PES is currently an Adjunct Faculty member at Duke, Elon & Arcadia Universities in the Doctor of Physical Therapy programs. Within each program, he instructs in the areas of Orthopedics, Sports, and Functional Exercise. In addition, he lectures at Campbell University, East Carolina University, and the University of Connecticut in the departments of Physical Therapy.

Friesen had an extensive career including most recently being the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the United States Women’s National Hockey program and North Carolina State University’s Cross Country and Track and Field programs. Prior to that, he spent 21 years with the Carolina Hurricanes as the Head Athletic Trainer/Strength and Conditioning Coach/Massage Therapist. During his time with the Hurricanes, Friesen was responsible for the institution of training and dietary standards, preparation of rehabilitation programs, and treatment of acute injuries for all players. Prior to joining the Hartford Whalers, now known as the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL, he was the Head Trainer-Physical Therapist-Strength Coach at the University of Saskatchewan and then the University of Alberta. He has also represented Canada and the United States at National and World Championships in various sports. With over 41 years as a professional trainer, Friesen is a Board Certified Sports Clinical Specialist and a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist through the American Physical Therapy Association. He is also Board Certified in the United States and Canada as an Athletic Trainer, Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Massage Therapist. Friesen is a graduate from Bemidji State (MN) with Bachelor’s Degrees in Education and Physical Education, as well as the University of Saskatchewan with a Post Graduate degree in Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy, and from Arcadia University with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

DR. LISA RIGSBY, PT, DPT, MDNC - INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Lisa Rigsby, PT, DPT, MDNC is a licensed physical therapist in the state of Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center School of Allied Health Sciences with her Bachelor of Physical Therapy in May 1999, and returned to Texas Tech University to complete her transitional Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2017. Throughout her career, Lisa has worked across numerous settings treating both orthopedic and neurological conditions in the hospital, inpatient rehab, skilled nursing facilities, home health and outpatient clinics. She has an entrepreneur spirit which led her to begin a successful contract home health company in 2006 where she continues to serve the geriatric population. She has a passion for identifying and treating muscle balances of the body and pelvic floor that lead to pain. This passion for patient’s pain reduction has been sparked by the current opioid crisis as her focus is on wellness and evaluative measurement to understand the whole body and anatomical imbalances in order to correct habits that lead to chronic conditions. 

Through the years, Sarah and Lisa’s love for learning and passion for whole body wellness, has led the team to pursue initiation of a well-rounded wellness facility whose focus is not only to restore wellness to the client, but also to empower all individuals to take personal ownership in the management of their personal wellness. This passion and drive helped the due ignite the creation of Wellpoint Wellness 510, LLC. The two physical therapists currently work together as co-owners of “The Well” (aptly named by their patients) and at Navarro College, where they developed the physical therapist assistant program in 2013 and continue to serve as the program director and coordinator for clinical education. Among their clinical accolades, both Sarah and Lisa have received their Master Dry Needling certification, Pelvic Floor Dry Needling certification and Ultrasound Guided Dry Needling certifications.

 Because of the overwhelming need for pelvic floor treatment in the communities they serve, the pair has continually acted on a common passion for additional focus on pelvic floor dysfunction and treatment.  

DR. JARED ESTOCK, PT, DPT, M.Ed., MDNC, ITPT, IDN, Cert. DN, EMT-B - INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Jared Estock, PT, DPT, M.Ed., MDNC, ITPT, IDN, Cert. DN, EMT-B is currently the owner/operator of Ease Rehab and Wellness in Martins Ferry, OH. He started the cash based Physical Therapy practice in 2019 where he serves individuals aged three to 93. In addition to Jared’s clinic he is also a school counselor at Parkway West CTC where he serves approximately 1,400 students.


Jared started his education at Ohio University earning a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology in 2009. In 2011 Jared graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University with a doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. Fast-forward to 2020 Jared earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and then started his Master’s degree in Counseling and Walsh University.


Jared has had quite the interesting career. Jared started his Physical Therapy career in an outpatient sports medicine setting where he specialized in concussion management. He then received an opportunity to work 3 minutes from home in a skilled nursing facility. This quickly transitioned into a supervisory role within the hospital system. Jared started to work with the Pittsburgh Penguins affiliate the Wheeling Nailers and this is when he started dry needling. He continued in the hospital system for 7 years.


In 2014, in addition to his clinical work, Jared started his academic career teaching adjunct at Wheeling Jesuit University, now (Wheeling University) in the Exercise Physiology program. In 2016 Jared was asked to develop a Sports Medicine Program at Parkway West CTC where he ran the program for 7 years prior to going back to school to earn a Master’s degree in counseling. He transitioned into counseling at the school and has plans to add counseling to his personal practice Ease Rehab and Wellness. The ultimate goal for Jared is to study the synergistic effects of mental health and physical therapy interventions for the reduction of both peripheral and central pain, as well as, overall well-being. Also unique to Jared is his training in Emergency Medicine as an EMT where he ran with the Yorkville Fire Department in Yorkville, OH.


In 2019 Jared became frustrated with the insurance model and hospital based treatment and decided to start his own practice. He developed a membership based cash clinic with an emphasis on total wellness, not just treating pain and symptoms. By not taking insurance and having to treat multiple patients at a time all day to remain profitable, Jared was able to treat patient’s the way he wanted to treat them and the way they deserved to be treated. Because of this unique philosophy there were decreased barriers to the patient’s progression. Jared has now been needling for 12 years and has taken over 164 hours of needling instruction over his career from various institutions. He is passionate about Master Dry Needling as he feels this gave him a connection between all the other principles of dry needling and gave him the freedom to truly become a Master Dry Needler. This is why 95% of his practice at Ease Rehab and Wellness is based on Dry Needling.

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