Orthopedic & Manual Therapy
Joint mobilization, soft-tissue work, Active Release, Graston/IASTM, and post-surgical rehab — guided by doctors of physical therapy with advanced manual-therapy certifications.
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West Des Moines, Iowa
Heal naturally,
Heal naturally,
hands that actually listen.
Rooted in Appalachian tradition and modern orthopedic science — Mountain Laurel delivers one-on-one physical therapy built around your story, your body, and your goals.
6 visits
or less — significant pain reduction, typically.
Welcome
Small clinic. Full attention. Real results.
“To guide each person through their own ‘mountain’ — restoring balance, clarity, and confidence through expert physical therapy and genuine human connection.”
That's our mission, and it's not marketing filler — it's painted on the wall. Mountain Laurel is a locally owned clinic where every patient works one-on-one with a Doctor of Physical Therapy, never handed off, never rushed. Our name is borrowed from the resilient flower that blooms throughout the Appalachians: steady, grounded, quietly beautiful. Those are the qualities we want every visit to embody.
We combine hands-on manual therapy, vestibular and concussion expertise, dry needling, and purposeful exercise into a plan shaped entirely around your goals — whether that's running your next half-marathon, getting through a workday without headaches, or finally getting on the floor to play with your grandkids.
Most patients feel relief after their very first session.
Meet the team →
What We Do
Care that goes deeper than the symptom.
From vestibular testing with infrared goggles to functional dry needling with 1,000+ sessions of expertise — our tools are wide, but our focus is always on the person on the table.
Vestibular & Concussion
We use infrared video goggles to pinpoint vestibular dysfunction, then pair diagnostics with targeted therapy to resolve dizziness, BPPV, and lingering concussion symptoms.
Learn moreDry Needling & Cupping
Level-II certified functional dry needling with over 1,000 sessions performed. Integrated with cupping, manual therapy, and movement re-training — never used as a stand-alone shortcut.
Learn moreMovement & Return-to-Sport
Therapeutic exercise, return-to-run programs, and movement retraining in our in-clinic gym — because recovery isn't complete until you're back to the things you love.
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Our Four-Phase Approach
A clear trail, from pain to trailhead.
Every plan moves through the same four phases — so you always know where you are and where you're headed next.
Calm the Pain
Find the source. Turn down the volume. Get you out of acute flare-up so real work can begin.
Restore Mobility
Targeted manual therapy and mobility work to give your joints and tissues room to move again.
Rebuild Strength
Purposeful, progressive loading that teaches the body how to protect itself — with confidence.
Prevent Recurrence
The habits, movements, and strength rituals that keep you out of our office — for good.
Why West Des Moines Chooses Us
The numbers behind the bedside manner.
100+
Five-Star Google Reviews
≤ 6
Visits to Significant Relief
1,000+
Dry Needling Sessions
24–48h
Priority Scheduling Window
Meet Your Therapists
Doctors of Physical Therapy who give a damn.
Every clinician at Mountain Laurel is a Doctor of Physical Therapy — with post-graduate certifications in manual therapy, dry needling, and vestibular rehab. They listen first, then plan.
Dr. Annette Smith
PT, DPT · FounderVestibular, concussion & orthopedic specialist — the founding hands and heart of the clinic.
Dr. Katherine Greening
PT, DPTManual therapy, dry needling & female-athlete rehab — pragmatic plans, patient-first pace.
Dr. Chris Wooley
DPT, CMPT, Cert DN-2A decade of outpatient orthopedics — shoulder, ACL, neck & 1,000+ dry needling sessions.
Dr. Sadie Teno
PT, DPT · Vestibular & Pelvic FloorVestibular rehab and pelvic-floor therapy — steady hands for dizziness, postpartum recovery, and pelvic-health care.
In Their Words
Stories from the people we've treated.
★★★★★
"I walked in with migraines that had beat me down for years. Annette figured out in one session what three specialists missed. I haven't had a bad migraine in months."
★★★★★
"Chris explains everything like a coach — I actually understand what's going on in my shoulder now. Six weeks post-op and ahead of schedule."
★★★★★
"They don't hand you off to a tech. Every session, eyes on you, hands on you. I felt heard from the very first visit."
Ready when you are
Tell us your story. Get a clear plan. Start feeling better.
Most insurance accepted — in-network with BCBS, Medicare, Aetna, and United Healthcare. Physician referral is not required in Iowa. Priority scheduling, typically within 24–48 hours.