Dry Needling Launch Banner — Scoliosis Center of Louisiana

You’ve stretched it. Rested it. Maybe seen another doctor. But weeks later, the same spot hurts again. That’s because muscle tightness and tender spots don’t go away on their own — they need to be directly released. That’s exactly what dry needling does.

Quick snapshot

Dry needling gets real results for real pain

87%

of patients report meaningful pain reduction after dry needling sessions

1–3

visits before many patients notice real improvement in how they feel

18+

years Dr. Justin has helped patients move and feel better

9,500+

patients treated across three countries over Dr. Justin’s career

The process

What actually happens during a dry needling session?

Here’s the simple version. Your muscles can develop tender, knotted areas — spots where the muscle fiber gets stuck in a tight loop. Blood can’t flow well, nerves get irritated, and you feel pain. A thin needle goes directly into that spot. The muscle responds with a brief twitch or release. Blood flows back in. The knot loosens. Pain goes down.

We call these areas tender spots — not because they’re some complex diagnosis, but because that’s what they are: spots in your muscle that are tender, tight, and causing problems.

We find the tender spots

Dr. Justin uses hands-on testing to find the exact areas in your muscle causing pain, tightness, or limited movement. No guessing — your pain tells us where to go.

A hair-thin needle enters the spot

The needle is much thinner than a shot or IV needle. It slides in quickly. You may feel a brief pressure or twitch — that’s the muscle releasing. For most people, it’s over in seconds and far less intense than they expected.

Blood flow returns to the area

Once the muscle releases, fresh blood flows in. Your body starts its natural healing process. The tightness that was choking off circulation is finally gone.

You move better — usually right away

Most patients notice more range of motion before they even leave the table. Soreness similar to a good workout may follow for 24–48 hours — that’s your body healing. After that, the improvement tends to stick.

Scared of needles? Most of our patients were too.

Here’s the truth: these needles are nothing like a doctor’s shot. They are incredibly thin — about the width of a human hair. There’s no liquid being pushed in. Many people feel a brief pinch or pressure. Some feel nothing at all. The most common reaction after the first session? “That was way easier than I thought.”

Dr. Justin uses a gentle, precise technique designed to minimize discomfort. He’ll explain every step before he does it, so there are no surprises. If you’re nervous, just say so — we work at your pace.

A brief pinch Light pressure A quick muscle twitch Sometimes nothing at all Over in seconds

Who we help

Common conditions treated with dry needling

If your pain has a muscle component — and most pain does — dry needling may be able to help. Here are the conditions we most often treat:

Neck pain and stiffness

Low back pain

Shoulder tightness and pain

Sciatica and leg pain

Hip and IT band tightness

Knee pain

Headaches and migraines

Tennis and golfer’s elbow

Plantar fasciitis and foot pain

Muscle spasms

Fibromyalgia tender areas

Post-injury recovery and tightness

The science

Why does dry needling work? Here’s what the research shows.

Dry needling is taught in post-graduate medical and chiropractic programs and is backed by peer-reviewed research. It is not a new or experimental treatment. Here are the main ways it helps your body heal:

Releases knotted muscle tissue

The needle directly disrupts the tight, stuck muscle fiber — breaking the cycle of spasm that keeps the pain going.

Restores blood flow

Tight muscle tissue squeezes off circulation. Once the knot releases, fresh oxygen-rich blood rushes back into the area.

Calms irritated nerves

Studies show dry needling lowers the pain signals being sent from the treated area — essentially turning down the volume on your pain.

Triggers natural healing

Your body responds to the needle by sending healing factors to the area — the same way it responds to any minor tissue repair.

Important distinction

Dry needling is not acupuncture — and we want you to know the difference.

Both use thin needles, so people sometimes mix them up. But they are completely separate treatments with different goals, different training, and different legal frameworks. It matters — especially in Louisiana.

Category	✅ Dry needling (what we do)	Acupuncture (not offered here)
Origin	Western sports medicine and physical therapy research	Traditional Chinese Medicine, developed over 2,000 years
Goal	Release tender spots, reduce pain, restore muscle function	Balance energy (Qi) along meridian pathways in the body
Needle placement	Directly into painful, tight areas of the muscle based on anatomy and feel	Specific points along energy meridians mapped by TCM theory
Who performs it	Chiropractors, physical therapists, sports medicine providers (with specific post-grad training)	Licensed acupuncturists with specialized TCM training
Best used for	Muscle and joint pain, tension, athletic injury, referred nerve pain, headaches	Holistic wellness, energy balance, chronic systemic conditions
At our clinic	YES — this is what we offer	NOT offered here

⚠ Louisiana legal notice

Dr. Justin Trosclair is a licensed chiropractor in Louisiana. Louisiana law does not allow chiropractors to practice acupuncture, and we do not offer acupuncture at this clinic. Dry needling is a distinct treatment that targets tender, knotted areas in muscle tissue using thin filament needles. It does not involve acupuncture theory, meridian pathways, or energy balancing in any form. If you are seeking acupuncture specifically, we are happy to refer you to a licensed acupuncturist in the Lafayette area.

“I had a knot in my upper shoulder for two years. I tried massage, stretching, heat packs — everything. After two dry needling sessions with Dr. Justin I could finally raise my arm past my shoulder without pain. Honestly, I was shocked. I wish I had done this two years sooner.”

— Patient, Lafayette, LA · shoulder and upper back pain

Picture your life when the pain isn’t running it.

Imagine sleeping through the night without waking up to adjust your position. Getting out of bed in the morning without bracing yourself. Sitting at a desk, driving, playing with your kids — without that dull ache reminding you it’s there.

That’s not wishful thinking. That’s what happens when you actually treat the source of the problem instead of managing symptoms. Most patients start feeling that shift within the first few visits.

You’ve been dealing with this long enough. Let’s see what a few sessions can do.

Your guide

Dr. Justin Trosclair, DC

Dr. Justin graduated from Texas Chiropractic College in 2007 and has since treated over 9,500 patients across three countries — a private clinic in Denver for seven years, a hospital in Yunnan, China for five years, and specialized training in Germany learning advanced muscle-release techniques for pain relief. He brought all of that back to Lafayette, Louisiana, where he now offers dry needling alongside cold laser, shockwave therapy, kinesiology taping, and specialized scoliosis care. His approach is simple: find what’s actually causing your pain, treat it directly, and make sure it doesn’t just come back.

Common questions

What patients ask before their first visit

Is dry needling painful?

Most people are pleasantly surprised. The needles are hair-thin — far smaller than a shot. You may feel a brief pinch, a quick pressure, or a muscle twitch as the spot releases. Many patients feel very little. Any soreness afterward usually feels like a productive workout and fades within a day or two.

How many sessions will I need?

Many patients feel real improvement after just one to three sessions. More long-standing or complex pain may need four to six. After your first visit, Dr. Justin will give you a clear, honest plan — no open-ended treatment schedules, no pressure.

Is dry needling safe?

Yes. We use sterile, single-use needles on every patient, every time. When performed by a trained provider, dry needling has a very strong safety record. Some mild soreness is normal and expected — it means your body is responding and healing.

Can it be combined with other treatments?

Absolutely. We often pair dry needling with our nylon kinesiology taping, instrument adjusting, cold laser, or site-specific massage for faster and longer-lasting results. Your plan is built around your specific situation, not a one-size-fits-all formula.

What should I do after a session?

Drink plenty of water and keep moving — gentle walking or light activity is better than rest. Avoid intense exercise for 24 hours. You may be sore in the treated area, similar to after a hard workout. That’s normal and a good sign.

Do you accept insurance?

We are a direct-pay clinic with transparent, upfront pricing. Many patients find the total cost is less than multiple insurance co-pays — and they get better faster. Call us and we’ll walk you through what to expect before you ever book.

Ready to stop just managing the pain?

Book a free phone consult or schedule your first visit. Dr. Justin will tell you honestly whether dry needling is the right fit for your situation — and exactly what to expect from the very first session.

Call to Book → (337) 453-5199 Visit Our Site

Scoliosis Center of LA · Lafayette, Louisiana · Most appointments available same week

Dr. Trosclair performed dry needling dozens of times a day in Germany.
Now Acadiana gets its turn — starting July 20, 2026.

That Nagging Pain Keeps Coming Back.
Let’s Find Out Why — and Fix It.