Acupuncture in Cow Hollow, San Francisco
Your neighborhood sports acupuncture clinic on Webster Street, one block off Union. Licensed acupuncturists for gym injuries, desk-worn necks and everything in between, with appointments from 7:30am to 9pm, seven days a week.
Rated 5.0 on GoogleLicensed acupuncturists
What our patients say
5.0 on Google from 92 reviews
I would strongly (strongly!) recommend Acupuncture for Athletics for both athletes and non-athletes alike. Not only does Andrew help with injury recovery, pain management, and stress relief, but he creates a relaxing and positive environment that enhances the work that he does and leads you to feel better both physically and mentally after each visit. And beyond acupuncture and massage, Andrew goes the extra mile to provide guidance on how to address specific pain-points and injuries, or to simply ensure that you are feeling and performing your best. Again, I can't recommend Acupuncture for Athletics enough!
I was introduced to Andrew by a friend who dubbed him as nothing short of magical. After experiencing his expertise firsthand, I couldn't agree more. Andrew's mastery of the human body and its intricacies truly feels like a kind of magic. I've been to other specialists for my chronic upper back and neck pain, but Andrew is different. He focuses on treating the actual problem, not just masking the symptoms. For the first time, I walked out of an acupuncture session and went back to exercising without feeling any pain. It was a game-changer. I feel as if I've been given a brand new back. Honestly, I never thought a life without back pain was possible until now. While I was also working with Andew some other health issues came up that couldn’t be diagnosed by western medicine. His thoughtful and holistic approach immediately made me feel understood and valued. Throughout our sessions, he would patiently explain the various points he was working on or the sensations I was experiencing, shedding light on what was going on internally within my body. Thanks to him, I now have a deeper appreciation for how imbalances in one area can send ripples throughout the entire system. He was able to find the root cause, guiding me slowly but surely on the path to recovery. I feel blessed to have met Andrew, he really has changed my life and I’m grateful for that.
I could not recommend Andrew enough! He has so much knowledge on the human body and can figure out quickly what areas need work. I went in with major back pain that kept me from lifting weights or running, and after a few sessions I am pain free.
Andrew applies his knowledge of the body and expert techniques to address affected muscles both for maintenance during training and related to injury. His combination of acupuncture and massage helps to open up areas and find the place to target. I have seen Andrew in the past for recovery post concussion and most recently for routine maintenance while training at a high level for my next marathon. I highly recommend Andrew and am lucky to have him as a part of my support team to stay healthy! - Katie Hynes, competitive runner -
As an avid runner who is always training for an endurance race my body has a tendency to break down. Andrew is a legit magician. He’s able to get to the root off the problem quickly and I often don’t miss a beat with regards to my training. Marathon prep would not be possible otherwise.
Andrew is the best. I’m a professional ballerina and his treatments helped me come back from a broken foot. When you see Andrew - you’re comforted by his knowledge, expertise, & strategy based treatment. Plus the clinic is so relaxing and warm. I have complete trust that he will help my aches and pains and keep me dancing for a long time.
There’s no one I trust more than Andrew to support my kids in their healing process if they’ve had a sports-related injury. As elite athletes, it’s so important that their knees, ankles and shoulders are well taken care of, and Andrew is our go-to for treatment of pain or injury and also guidance for best practices outside the treatment room to further help healing along. My daughter recently rolled her ankle and was ready for a painfully prolonged healing process when we took her into to see Andrew for a couple treatments before a tournament weekend. With his help, her recovery was amazing, allowing her to feel confident on her ankle. Thanks to Andrew, she was healthy enough to play without pain or exacerbating the injury. We are very grateful to have Andrew on speed dial when these types of injuries occur!
Andrew is a cornerstone of my care team. He successfully unwinds my ills before they can become chronic problems.
Andrew is amazing! Very caring and concerned about your health and well being. He genuinely is a very kind person.
Andrew is a fantastic alternative and addition to physical therapy. He quickly understands your condition and treats it effectively.
Andrew introduced me to a form of healing which, after years of competitive long distance running and many injuries, I am more than thankful to have discovered! My latest injury, a small tear in my left hamstring, sidelined me for a number of months. After trying rest, physical therapy and anti-inflammatories with little results, I finally met Andrew. His approach from the very beginning was completely methodical, precise and extremely professional. Right away the pain eased, and I felt my body finally respond to treatment. Andrew was instrumental in healing my hamstring, and I trust that his acupuncture/massage techniques will keep me healthy and, importantly, keep me running for many decades and miles.
I’ve always wanted to be able to demonstrate clearly to professional dancers when giving them corrections or setting ballets. However, without the level of daily physical preparation that my body was used to when I danced, my body now has moments of rebellion that, however careful I am, need the assistance of experts to ensure I can do my job fully. Andrew’s combination of acupuncture and soft tissue work always made a significant difference to my mobility, helping me undertake my role in the studio at a level of physicality such that I’m not confined to the minimum level of demonstration. With his level of experience with dancers it was always easy to discuss problematic muscles and joints, and reassuring that he ‘got’ what was going on and what was required to improve the situation efficiently and effectively.
Sports acupuncture around the corner from Union Street.
Acupuncture for Athletics sits on Webster Street between Union and Filbert, in the middle of Cow Hollow. If you live in the neighborhood, work in one of the offices along Union, or train at the studios and gyms nearby, you can walk to our door.
We're a small team of three California-licensed acupuncturists, and sports acupuncture is what we do all day. Every visit starts with how you move, then combines acupuncture, dry needling, cupping, cold laser or massage to suit the injury in front of us.
Plenty of our patients don't compete at anything. They just want to lift, ride, hold a plank or get through a workday without pain. Our patients rate us 5.0 on Google, and evening slots mean you can come in between the office and dinner.
Where we are
2920 Webster Street, on the quiet block between Union and Filbert. Pacific Heights is just up the hill, and the Marina begins a few blocks north.
Address
Acupuncture for Athletics2920 Webster Street
San Francisco, CA 94123 Gate code: in your booking confirmation email
Hours
- Every day
- 7:30am-9:00pm
On foot
From Union Street, turn onto Webster and look for 2920. From Pacific Heights, it's a downhill walk.
Getting here
Most of our Cow Hollow patients walk over. If you're coming from farther afield, here's what works best.
By Muni
The 45 Union/Stockton stops on Union Street, a block from the clinic.
The 22 Fillmore runs along Fillmore Street, one block west, if you're coming up or down Fillmore.
By car
Union Street has metered spaces, and the Union Laguna Garage at 1910 Union Street is a short walk east.
The residential blocks around Webster have posted time limits for visitors, so read the signs and watch for street cleaning.
When you arrive
Enter the gate code from your booking confirmation email at the street gate at 2920 Webster.
First visit? Bring your completed intake and consent forms, and wear clothes that roll up past the knee and elbow.
Sports acupuncture for Cow Hollow athletes
Cow Hollow does a lot of its training indoors. Within a few blocks of the clinic you'll find gyms, spin rooms, yoga studios and Pilates and barre classes, and each one leaves its own mark on the body.
Heavy lifting tends to show up in the shoulder, elbow and low back. Indoor cycling loads the front of the knee and shortens the hip flexors. A hot yoga flow can tug at a hamstring or overwork a wrist. And the neighborhood's stairways, from the Lyon Street Steps to the climb up to Alta Plaza Park, are hard on calves and Achilles tendons.
Then there's the desk athlete: eight hours at a laptop, then a 6pm class. That pairing brings us a steady stream of stiff necks, tight upper backs and headaches.
The research is encouraging. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that acupuncture has beaten no treatment for back and neck pain, and the American College of Physicians' low back pain guideline lists it among the first non-drug options for chronic low back pain. For headaches, a 2016 Cochrane review of 12 trials found acupuncture may reduce how often tension-type headaches strike. Results vary from person to person.
What we see from the neighborhood
- Shoulder and elbow pain from lifting
- Low back strain after a heavy session
- Knee and hip tightness from spin
- Hamstring and wrist strain from yoga or Pilates
- Calf and Achilles pain from stairs and hills
- Neck tension and headaches from desk work
- Back, hip and pelvic aches in pregnancy, with Suzanne
What we treat
Most visits blend more than one approach, chosen on the day for your body and your week. Each page here explains a treatment or condition in more depth: how it works, what it feels like and what the evidence says.
Looking for something else? Browse every treatment we offer or the full list of conditions we help with.
- Acupuncture for back, neck and shoulder pain
- Dry needling for gym and lifting injuries
- Sports massage between hard sessions
- Cupping for tight muscles and fascia
- Cold laser for stubborn tendon pain
- Sciatica and pain down the leg
- Heel pain and plantar fasciitis
- Women's health, fertility and pregnancy support
Your first visit
Set aside an hour. Here's how it usually goes.
Talk it through
We ask about your job, your training and how the problem started. Your intake form gives us a head start.
Assess
A physical exam and muscle tests, plus a look at the movement that hurts: the overhead press, the squat, the way you sit at your desk.
Treat
Treatment happens the same day, usually acupuncture or dry needling paired with cupping, cold laser or hands-on work.
Plan
The number of sessions varies, and we'll estimate it after your assessment. Some people leave loose and sleepy, others a little sore for a day.
What it costs
- 60-min initial acupuncture & assessment
- $225
- 45-min acupuncture follow-up
- $195
- 60-min acupuncture/massage combo
- $225
- 75-min acupuncture/massage combo
- $265
- 90-min acupuncture/massage combo
- $300
We're out of network and don't bill insurance, but we'll give you a superbill to submit for possible reimbursement. We take HSA and FSA cards and all credit cards, and gift certificates are available.
Meet the team
Three California-licensed acupuncturists under one roof, so massage, needling and recovery work happen in the same room.
Suzanne Lange
DACM, L.Ac, CMT
Acupuncturist and certified massage therapist with 20+ years in practice. Orthopedics and sports medicine, women's health, fertility, pregnancy and postpartum care.
Read Suzanne's bio
Andrew Castellanos
L.Ac, CST · Clinic owner
25+ years treating athletes, including the USF Sports Department and the San Francisco Ballet. Sports injuries, post-surgical recovery and performance.
Read Andrew's bio
Ali Hakimi
L.Ac
A seventh-generation practitioner. Injury recovery and pain, scalp and ear acupuncture, classical herbal medicine, diet and lifestyle.
Read Ali's bioCow Hollow acupuncture FAQ
Where in Cow Hollow is the clinic?
We're at 2920 Webster Street, between Union and Filbert. That puts us one block from the Union Street shops, one block east of Fillmore Street, and a short walk down the hill from Pacific Heights.
Is there parking near Webster and Union?
Union Street has metered parking, and the Union Laguna Garage at 1910 Union Street is a short walk away. The residential streets around the clinic have posted time limits for visitors, so check the signs. The 45 bus stops on Union Street, one block from us.
How do I get through the gate?
Enter the gate code from your booking confirmation email at the street gate at 2920 Webster Street. If it gives you any trouble, call us on (415) 646-1862 and we'll help you get in.
Can I fit appointments around my workday?
Yes. We're open from 7:30am to 9pm, seven days a week, so early mornings, evenings and weekends all work. Book online or call (415) 646-1862.
Do you offer massage as well as acupuncture?
Yes. All three of our practitioners give sports massage, and Suzanne Lange is also a certified massage therapist. We offer an acupuncture and massage combo from $225 for 60 minutes. That way you get hands-on work and needling in one visit instead of two separate appointments.
Can acupuncture help with gym, spin or yoga injuries?
Acupuncture and dry needling are commonly used for training aches like shoulder impingement, low back strain, elbow tendon pain, knee pain and tight hamstrings. We pair needling with cupping or soft-tissue work, and we look at the movement that caused the problem. Results vary, and we'll tell you honestly after your assessment what we think we can do.
Do you see patients during pregnancy?
Yes. Suzanne's work includes pregnancy and postpartum care, and she adjusts point choices and positioning to keep you comfortable. Let us know you're pregnant when you book so we can schedule you with her.
How much does acupuncture cost, and do you take insurance?
A 60-minute initial acupuncture and assessment is $225, a 45-minute follow-up is $195, and a 60-minute acupuncture and massage combo is $225. We don't bill insurance, but we provide a superbill you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement, and we accept HSA and FSA cards and all credit cards.
Also serving nearby
Our door is in Cow Hollow, but patients reach us from all over the north side of the city, including Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Russian Hill and the Fillmore.
Do most of your training along the waterfront? Our Marina page is written for runners, cyclists and anyone heading out toward the bridge.
- Sports acupuncture for the Marina District
- Clinic directions, parking and hours
- Contact us with a question
- Pacific Heights
- Presidio Heights
- Russian Hill
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety. NIH. Updated 2022.
- Qaseem A, et al. Noninvasive Treatments for Acute, Subacute, and Chronic Low Back Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2017.
- Linde K, et al. Acupuncture for the prevention of tension-type headache. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016.
See you on Webster Street
Book online with Suzanne, Andrew or Ali, or call and we'll find a time that fits your week.