Acupuncture for Neck Pain in San Francisco
A stiff neck you can't turn, shoulders up around your ears after a week at the laptop, or pain that hasn't settled since a car accident? We treat neck pain with acupuncture, dry needling, cupping and hands-on work so you can look over your shoulder again.
Sound familiar?
- A neck that won't turn fully when you check your blind spot
- Waking up with a stiff, locked neck after sleeping awkwardly
- Tight, aching shoulders by the end of a day at your screen
What our patients say
5.0 on Google from 92 reviews
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 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 had a golfers elbow and my coach referred me to Andrew. He has been an amazing acupuncturist and worked on my right elbow, shoulder and arm for a couple of weeks. I have felt so much better just after the first session and going back really helps the blood flow so much better and my right arm, elbow and shoulder feels less tense and more relaxed. Definitely recommend this place, especially for athletes!
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 amazing! Very caring and concerned about your health and well being. He genuinely is a very kind person.
Andrew is terrific. I saw him post shoulder surgery and it was very beneficial in getting pain free and full range of motion.
Andrew treated me over a period of about two years for hip and shoulder problems, and he was tremendously helpful. I was impressed with his knowledge and skill, not to mention wonderful “bedside manner” and especially his enthusiasm for staying current in his field.
I came to Andrew after nearly six excruciating months of not being able to run. I had a seemingly minor Achilles tendon injury that simply refused to heal, defying every modality I tried. I hoped Andrew, a specialist in sports injuries, could break the deadlock. The simple answer is that in three visits, I was running again, hardly able to believe my good fortune. The more complicated answer runs deeper. Andrew’s work doesn’t just address physical injury; he works on spiritual and emotional injury and stress too. I didn’t realize that my physical injury was bound up with emotional trauma, but he did, and he figured out how to disentangle them so the healing process could start. The process can be painful; emotional injuries that have lodged in your body have to work their way out through muscle and bone, like a physical illness. But it’s also both profound and unexpected. As another of Andrew’s clients said, he is a true healer.
As a professional dancer, I rely heavily on Andrew throughout the performance season to literally fix me in order to get me back onstage. I have chronic problems with my knee and my shoulder, and the combination of acupuncture with electric stimulation and heat has been tremendously helpful. Andrew only needs five minutes to find exactly where he needs to work, and the results are fantastic. His acupuncture work is also gentle, and doesn’t leave me sore the next day — in fact, it’s one of the only therapies I feel comfortable receiving right before a show. Andrew does great deep tissue work as well, and he is very responsive and attentive as a therapist. I’d highly recommend him to dancers, athletes and non-dancers alike.
Andrew Castellanos has helped my Achilles tendinosis and tendinitis with acupuncture, not only getting the swelling down, but also massaging the area after. His therapeutic work has enabled me to continue dancing at a high level without having to take a break, so I’m able to dance with injury due to the therapeutic work that Andrew does.
In our career it is very important to stay physically healthy, because our dance career is very short. We rehearse, work out every single day, and very often, because of the physical pressure from practicing so hard, we get injuries and surgery. My story is about my back, foot and wrist. I joined San Francisco Ballet a year ago. The first day of work, during ballet class, I hurt my back. I have had problems before with my wrist, and sadly, later on with the tough season, my foot got hurt. Luckily, I was recommended to Andrew Castellanos. I started with a few visits a month, and quickly saw results, so I made sure I finished my treatments. Thanks to Andrew, I was able to finish my successful season here. Now I have to spread the word…
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.
Does this sound like you?
Neck pain can be a dull ache, a sharp catch when you turn, or a stiffness that creeps in by mid-afternoon. These are the signs we hear about most.
If several sound familiar, an assessment will show us which muscles and joints are involved and what keeps them tight.
- A neck that won't turn fully when you check your blind spot
- Waking up with a stiff, locked neck after sleeping awkwardly
- Tight, aching shoulders by the end of a day at your screen
- Headaches that start at the base of your skull
- Pain and stiffness since a car accident or a fall
- Aching, tingling or pins and needles running into one arm
Why necks get stuck
Your neck balances a heavy head all day while letting you turn and nod. Most neck pain comes from the muscles and small joints doing that work, when they're overloaded, strained or held in one position too long.
Screens are a big part of it. Hours spent looking down at a phone or forward into a laptop keep the muscles at the back of the neck and across the shoulders working without a break, which is what people mean by "tech neck." Stress adds to it, because most of us carry tension in exactly the same place.
The encouraging part is that most neck pain only lasts a few weeks, according to the NHS. When it hangs on longer or keeps coming back, it's worth finding out why.
Common causes
- Long hours at a desk, laptop or phone
- Sleeping in an awkward position
- Stress and jaw clenching
- Whiplash from a car accident or a fall
- Sports that load the neck, like cycling, swimming and climbing
- Age-related wear in the joints and discs of the neck
Tech neck, whiplash or a pinched nerve?
These three cover most of the neck pain we see. They overlap, but each one changes what we focus on and how gently we start.
| Compared on | Desk and tech neck | Whiplash | Pinched nerve |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it starts | Gradually, from long hours in one position | A sudden jolt, often a rear-end collision | A disc or bony change pressing on a nerve root |
| How it feels | Aching and tightness in the neck and upper shoulders | Pain, stiffness and muscle spasm, often with headaches | Burning or sharp pain into the shoulder or arm, sometimes tingling |
| Timing | Worse late in the day | Can take hours to appear after the injury | Often worse with certain head positions |
| Where we focus | Neck, upper back and shoulders, plus your setup and habits | Gentle work to calm spasm and restore movement | Easing the muscles around the nerve, with a physician involved |
Whiplash and car accident neck pain
Whiplash happens when the head is thrown forward and back, most often in a rear-end crash. Symptoms can take several hours to appear, and the NHS says it usually gets better within two to three months. Its advice is to keep up everyday activities rather than rest, and to skip the neck collar.
After any crash, see a doctor first to rule out a fracture or nerve injury. Once you're cleared, we can help with the stiffness, spasm and headaches that tend to follow.
Research on whiplash is encouraging. A 2024 review of eight trials with 525 people found acupuncture reduced whiplash pain and improved neck movement. We pair it with gentle movement so your neck keeps its range as it heals.
After a car accident
- Get checked by a doctor or urgent care first
- Expect stiffness to build over the first day or two
- Keep gently moving your neck within comfort
- Start treatment once you're medically cleared
- Keep your records: we provide a superbill for every visit
Who gets neck pain
Desk workers and cyclists top the list, but stiff necks turn up in almost everyone.
People we see most
Related problems we treat
- Tension headaches and migraines
- Shoulder pain and impingement
- Low and upper back pain
- Jaw pain and clenching
- Tension between the shoulder blades
How we treat neck pain
We release the muscles that have clamped down, get the joints moving again and look at what keeps loading your neck. Most visits combine a few of these.
- Sports acupuncturePoints in the neck, shoulders, upper back and hands to ease pain and stiffness.
- Dry needlingInto tight trigger points in the upper trapezius, levator scapulae and the muscles at the base of the skull.
- CuppingAcross the upper back and shoulders to loosen stubborn tension.
- Cold laserLow-level laser over sore, irritated soft tissue.
- Sports massageHands-on work to restore movement through the neck and shoulders.
Who performs dry needling in California?
In California, dry needling is performed by licensed acupuncturists. Physical therapists in California are not currently authorized to perform dry needling. Each of our three practitioners holds a California acupuncture license.
What the research says
Neck pain has a good body of research behind it. A 2016 Cochrane review of 27 studies found moderate-quality evidence that acupuncture relieves neck pain better than sham acupuncture at the end of treatment and in the short term, and side effects were minor.
The benefits can last, especially as part of a bigger plan. In a 2015 trial of 517 people with chronic neck pain, those who had acupuncture or Alexander Technique lessons on top of usual care had less pain a year later than those on usual care alone.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that acupuncture worked better than no treatment for back and neck pain, with relief comparable to anti-inflammatory drugs. Curious how it works? Read about what happens during acupuncture.
What studies have found
- More relief than sham acupuncture for neck pain
- Less pain a year later when added to usual care
- Encouraging research for whiplash
- Not a substitute for a medical check after an injury
Your first visit and your plan
Plan on about an hour for your first visit. The number of sessions you'll need varies, and we'll give you an honest estimate once we've assessed you.
Assess
We go over how it started and how your days look, then check how far your neck turns, tilts and bends and which movements bring on pain or arm symptoms.
Treat
You'll lie face down or on your side while we work through the neck, shoulders and upper back. Many people notice they can turn their head further by the end.
Afterwards
Some feel looser straight away; others are a little sore for a day. Gentle movement helps more than holding your neck still.
Keep it moving
We'll suggest a few easy exercises and small changes to your screen setup, then space visits out as the stiffness settles.
When to see a doctor first
Pain that travels from the neck into the arm, with tingling, numbness or weakness, usually means a nerve root is irritated. This is called cervical radiculopathy. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says most people with it improve over time without surgery, but it should be assessed by a physician, and we're glad to treat alongside them.
Some symptoms need same-day medical care. If you have any of those listed here, go to urgent care or the emergency room, or call 911.
Also see your doctor if neck pain doesn't ease after a few weeks, painkillers aren't helping, or you have a fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer.
Get urgent care if you have
- Neck pain after a car accident, fall or blow to the head that hasn't been checked
- Weakness in your arms, hands or legs, or trouble walking
- Tingling or numbness on one or both sides of the body
- An electric-shock feeling down your neck and back
- A stiff neck with fever, headache or sensitivity to light
Who'll treat you
Three California-licensed acupuncturists, all trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, who see stiff necks every week. Andrew Castellanos has more than 25 years of experience, from USF Athletics to MLB spring training.
Andrew Castellanos
L.Ac, CST · Clinic owner
Stiff necks from training, desk work or stress.
- Dry needling and cupping for tight upper shoulders
- Myofascial release and acupressure
Ali Hakimi
L.Ac
Neck pain wound up by stress, poor sleep or headaches.
- Scalp and ear acupuncture for stress and insomnia
- Local acupuncture for injury recovery and pain
- Headaches and migraines are a focus of his
Suzanne Lange
DACM, L.Ac, CMT
Tech neck and tension, eased with acupuncture and trigger point work.
- Trained in myofascial and trigger point therapy
- Craniosacral therapy and somato-emotional release training
- Japanese-style acupuncture
Pricing and booking
Neck pain is treated in a standard appointment, with the mix of treatments chosen on the day. There's nothing extra to buy.
We don't bill insurance, including auto insurance, but every visit comes with a superbill you can submit for possible out-of-network reimbursement. HSA and FSA cards and all credit cards are welcome. We're on Webster Street, a few minutes away if you're looking for acupuncture near Cow Hollow and Union Street.
Appointments
- 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
Neck pain FAQ
Does acupuncture help neck pain?
Research suggests it can. A 2016 Cochrane review found moderate-quality evidence that acupuncture relieves neck pain better than sham acupuncture in the short term, and a large 2015 trial found benefits still present a year later when it was added to usual care. Results vary, and it works best alongside movement and changes to the habits that strain your neck.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies. A neck that locked up after a bad night's sleep often settles quickly, while years of desk-related tension or a whiplash injury usually take longer. We'll give you an estimate after your first assessment and space visits out as you improve.
Is it safe to have needles in the neck?
Yes, in trained hands. All three of our practitioners are California-licensed acupuncturists who use sterile, single-use needles and know the anatomy of the neck well. Serious complications from acupuncture are rare. Mild soreness or a small bruise are the most common side effects.
Can acupuncture help whiplash after a car accident?
It may. A 2024 review of eight trials found acupuncture reduced whiplash pain and improved neck movement. See a doctor first after any crash, then we can help with the pain and stiffness that follow.
Do you bill auto insurance for accident injuries?
No. We don't bill any insurance directly, including auto insurance. We give you a superbill for each visit, which you can submit to your insurer or include with your accident claim for possible reimbursement. We accept HSA and FSA cards and all credit cards.
What is tech neck, and can you help?
Tech neck is the ache and stiffness that come from long hours looking down at a phone or into a screen. We release the overworked neck and shoulder muscles with acupuncture, dry needling, cupping and massage, and suggest small changes to your setup.
Can you treat pain that runs down my arm?
Pain, tingling or numbness running into the arm usually means a nerve root in the neck is irritated, called cervical radiculopathy. Most cases improve without surgery. We ask that a physician assess it, and we're glad to treat the neck and shoulder muscles alongside their care. Weakness that's getting worse needs prompt medical attention.
Do I need a referral or an X-ray?
No referral is needed to book. Most neck pain doesn't need imaging before treatment, but after an accident or if your symptoms point to a nerve or bone problem, we'll ask you to see a physician first.
Is there an acupuncturist for neck pain near Pacific Heights?
Andrew Castellanos treats stiff necks, tech neck and whiplash at 2920 Webster Street in Cow Hollow, a short walk from Pacific Heights and the Marina. He uses acupuncture, dry needling, cupping and hands-on work such as myofascial release.
Is the clinic easy to find?
We're at 2920 Webster Street, between Union and Filbert. The building has a street gate, so enter code from your booking confirmation email to come in. If turning your head to check traffic is hard right now, you can skip the drive: the 45 Union/Stockton stops on Union Street, one block away.
References
- Trinh K, et al. Acupuncture for neck disorders. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016.
- MacPherson H, et al. Alexander Technique Lessons or Acupuncture Sessions for Persons With Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2015.
- Lee SH, et al. Efficacy of acupuncture for whiplash injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2024.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Acupuncture: Effectiveness and Safety.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, OrthoInfo. Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve).
- NHS. Neck pain.
- NHS. Whiplash.
Ready to turn your head without wincing?
Book an assessment at our Cow Hollow clinic, or give us a call to talk it through.
Visit us in Cow Hollow
2920 Webster Street, between Union and Filbert. A short walk from the Marina, Pacific Heights and the Presidio.
Address
Acupuncture for Athletics2920 Webster Street
San Francisco, CA 94123 Gate code: in your booking confirmation email
Hours
- Every day
- 7:30am – 9:00pm