Acupuncture in the Marina District, San Francisco
Sports acupuncture, dry needling and recovery care for the runners, cyclists and swimmers of the Marina. We're on Webster Street, about four blocks south of Chestnut.
Rated 5.0 on GoogleLicensed acupuncturists
What our patients say
5.0 on Google from 92 reviews
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 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.
Gosh, I'm so happy I found Andrew! Thanks to him, I avoided going down a surgery route for my injury! In June 2022, my left knee started acting up (my best guess is overcompensation for gluteal tendonitis I was treating) but I pushed through to backpack 264 miles on the John Muir Trail. When I finished my trek, my left knee was pretty unhappy and I couldn't even get in and out of my car without feeling like a jigsaw puzzle. I tirelessly saw dozens of providers over the next year - chiropractors, physical therapists, orthopedists, massage therapists, etc. All had their own theories - soleus muscle, calf strain, chronic exertional compartment syndrome, etc. The complexity in my case was that my pain was not in my knee itself - it was on the left side in between my knee cap and calf. Despite my knee MRI showing meniscus tears, inflammation, tendonosis, etc. the doctors insisted we treat the symptoms, not the MRIs. So, I got a calf MRI, hip MRI, and an EMG, all of which were negative. Then, one doctor recommended oral Prednisone, and he told me I should see results better than Advil for pain management. It did nothing. It wasn't until I was finally referred to one doctor who noticed something in my knee MRI and caught that there is excess fluid in my proximal tibiofibular joint (PBTJ), and that area tracks with where I feel my pain. To test his suspicion diagnostically, he recommended an ultrasound-guided cortisone injection in my PBTJ to see if that reduced my pain. The pain did decrease (which was good), but it wasn't gone. The doctors informed me issues concerning the PBTJ are rare, and that they needed to refer me to one of the only specialists in the country for this. That specialist happened to be in Minnesota, and when I checked his website, he was only seeing patients for surgery. I did not want surgery. I felt completely defeated, unsure where to go next. In May, I was recommended by someone who also had a challenging journey with injuries (and was able to return to running and hiking) to try acupuncture. I was surprised, since I had not considered Eastern Medicine before for a sports injury. The person specifically recommended I search for an acupuncturist who specializes in athletes, and that led me to find "Acupuncture for Athletics." :) My first appointment with Andrew was May 30, and he patiently listened to my whole ordeal and reviewed all of the documentation I brought (MRIs, doctor's notes, etc). He assured me he treats the root cause, which I appreciated because I did not want to do a band-aid fix only for this to return again, and that he has hope I can feel better. We started off with cupping along my left leg to encourage the inflammation to dissipate, and then we did needles in my leg. Oof, I remember one session when Andrew placed a needle near my PBTJ - I screamed SO loudly lol. But once all of the needles were in, it slowly felt like a meditative experience, and I was able to relax into it. Over my 7 sessions with Andrew, I began to notice the needles felt less painful. In the beginning, I remember feeling the pain just in walking over to Andrew's office. By the 6th session, I realized I wasn't thinking about my pain anymore. I did one more session to be sure, and I was in disbelief that I actually felt pain-free! We decided to go a month testing how the pain fared without regular sessions, and so far so good! The pain flares here and there, but in a MUCH less capacity than before. Throughout this whole process, Andrew was kind, patient, and determined. He was committed to solving the underlying issue, and he was flexible and accommodating to me - whether I wanted to address my left knee or start tackling similar pain that was creeping up on my right knee. Had it not been for Andrew, I would have likely chased surgery because I was running out of ideas. I appreciate you, Andrew! If you're nearing your wits' end with a chronic injury, please go see Andrew and give it a good ~5 sessions if you can. Wishing everyone out there good luck on their chronic pain journeys! You got this!
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!
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 fantastic alternative and addition to physical therapy. He quickly understands your condition and treats it effectively.
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.
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.
Andrew’s massage and acupuncture techniques have seen me successfully through back-to-back marathons seven weeks apart, plus two active pregnancies and a record-breaking racing season in between. He is a veritable genius in his field — a true healer.
For people who would rather be outside.
Loop the Marina Green, spin out over the Golden Gate Bridge or stack up miles on the Presidio trails, and sooner or later something complains. A calf locks up, a knee starts aching on descents, a shoulder stops enjoying the swim. That's the moment our Marina patients find us.
Acupuncture for Athletics is a sports-focused clinic at 2920 Webster Street, on the southern edge of the Marina where it meets Cow Hollow. Our licensed acupuncturists look at your training load and the way you move, then use acupuncture for sports injuries, dry needling, cupping, cold laser and massage to get you back on your route.
We hold a 5.0 rating on Google. We're open from 7:30am to 9pm, seven days a week, so you can come before or after a training session.
Where we are
Head south from the water, cross Chestnut, Lombard, Greenwich and Filbert, and you'll find us on Webster just before Union Street.
Find us
Acupuncture for Athletics2920 Webster Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
Opening hours
- Every day
- 7:30am-9pm
Getting in
The building is gated. Your gate code is in your booking confirmation email. Trouble getting in? Call (415) 646-1862.
Getting here from the Marina
Walk, ride the bus, or drive and park a few blocks away. All three are simple from the flats.
Muni
The 30 Stockton runs along Chestnut Street. Hop off near Webster and walk four blocks south.
Coming from elsewhere in the city? Union Street, one block south of us, is served by the 45 Union/Stockton, and the 22 Fillmore runs a block to the west.
Driving
The city's Lombard Garage at 2055 Lombard Street is open 7am to 10pm daily, a few blocks north of us.
There's also metered parking on Union Street and the Union Laguna Garage at 1910 Union. Side streets have visitor time limits, so check the posted signs.
On arrival
Use the gate code from your booking confirmation email at the street gate.
Coming from a run or ride? Bring a dry layer and some water, and allow a few minutes to cool down before we start.
Sports acupuncture for Marina District athletes
The Marina trains outside. On any given morning the waterfront fills with run groups on the Marina Green, cyclists rolling west along the bay toward the bridge, and trail runners heading for the Presidio. Fort Mason and Crissy Field see their share of intervals, and Bay swimmers are out in all weather.
Endurance training breaks down in predictable ways. Runners pick up sore knees, cranky IT bands, shin pain and tight Achilles tendons. Long rides stiffen the low back and neck. Swimming overloads the rotator cuff, and weekend league games add sprained ankles and strained hamstrings to the list.
Research on acupuncture in athletes is growing. A 2020 review of case reports covering 211 athletes found acupuncture helped relieve short-term pain and restore function, most often in knees, elbows and shoulders. For chronic pain, a 2018 analysis of 39 trials and more than 20,000 patients found benefits beyond sham treatment that largely held up a year later.
Heel pain is a good example of where needling fits. In a 2014 randomized trial of 84 people with plantar heel pain, real dry needling eased pain more than a sham version, though brief soreness afterwards was common. We treat alongside your coach, physical therapist and strength work, never instead of them.
What we treat
Common problems by sport, and the treatments we reach for. Most sessions mix two or three.
By sport
- RunnersRunner's knee, IT band pain, shin splints, Achilles and hip flexor tightness.
- CyclistsFront-of-knee pain, low back stiffness, neck strain and numb hands after long rides.
- Swimmers and triathletesShoulder impingement, rotator cuff pain, calf cramps and neck tension.
- Court and field sportsTennis elbow, ankle sprains and hamstring strains.
Your first visit
Sixty minutes, start to finish, with treatment included. Bring shorts and a tank top so we can reach knees, calves and shoulders.
Your training story
Mileage, race calendar, recent changes and where it hurts. Then a physical exam: we watch you squat, hinge, reach or hop, and feel the tissue involved.
Same-day treatment
Usually acupuncture or dry needling, plus cupping, cold laser or soft-tissue work. A dull ache or a quick twitch in the muscle is normal and passes fast.
Back to training
Expect mild tenderness for a day or so. We'll tell you how hard to train this week and estimate how many visits you'll need, since that varies from person to person.
Prices and payment
- 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
Insurance isn't billed directly. Ask for a superbill if your plan reimburses out-of-network care. HSA, FSA and all major credit cards are welcome, and gift certificates make a good present for a training partner.
Meet the team
Three licensed acupuncturists who understand training cycles, taper weeks and the urge to run through pain.
Andrew Castellanos
L.Ac, CST · Clinic owner
More than 25 years with athletes, from the Impala Racing Team and USF Sports to MLB spring training in 2018. He focuses on sports injuries, performance and recovery after surgery.
About Andrew
Ali Hakimi
L.Ac
Local acupuncture for injury recovery and pain, with scalp and ear techniques and classical herbal medicine.
About Ali
Suzanne Lange
DACM, L.Ac, CMT
Orthopedics, sports medicine and myofascial work, and a certified massage therapist for combined sessions.
About SuzanneMarina District acupuncture FAQ
Is your clinic in the Marina District?
We're on the border. The clinic is at 2920 Webster Street in Cow Hollow, about four blocks south of Chestnut Street, so most Marina residents can walk, cycle or take a short bus ride to reach us.
What's the easiest way to get there from the Marina?
Walking south on Webster is simplest. By bus, take the 30 Stockton along Chestnut and walk four blocks, or the 45 Union/Stockton, which stops one block away. Drivers can use the SFMTA Lombard Garage at 2055 Lombard Street, open 7am to 10pm every day.
Do you treat running injuries?
Yes, and they make up a big share of what we see. Runner's knee, IT band pain, shin splints, Achilles problems and plantar fasciitis are commonly treated with acupuncture, dry needling and cupping, together with advice on training load. Results vary, and we'll be honest about what we expect after assessing you.
Can I come straight from a run or a ride?
You can. Eat something light beforehand, bring water and a dry top, and give yourself a few minutes to cool down. Loose shorts make it easier for us to reach your legs.
How close to a race can I have treatment?
It depends on what we're treating and how your body tends to respond. Many athletes avoid new or intense needling in the final days before a race, and the days after a race are a good time for recovery work. We'll plan the timing around your race calendar at your first visit.
Will I be sore afterwards, and can I still train?
Some people feel a mild ache for a day or two, similar to a hard workout, while others feel looser right away. Most can train normally the next day. If your injury needs a lighter week, we'll tell you.
Is dry needling the same as acupuncture?
Both use fine, sterile needles. Dry needling targets trigger points in tight muscle, while acupuncture works with points across the whole body, and we often combine them. In California, dry needling is performed by licensed acupuncturists. Physical therapists in California are not currently authorized to perform dry needling. Last reviewed October 2026.
What does a visit cost?
Your first visit, a 60-minute acupuncture session with a full assessment, is $225. Follow-ups run 45 minutes for $195, and the 60-minute combo of acupuncture and massage is also $225. We don't bill your insurer, but you'll get a superbill to send your insurer if your plan covers out-of-network care, and HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Also serving nearby
Marina athletes are only part of our patient list. People also make the trip from the Presidio, Russian Hill, North Beach and across San Francisco.
If you live up the hill, our Cow Hollow page covers the Union Street side of the neighborhood. For anything else, our location and contact pages have the details.
- Acupuncture in Cow Hollow
- Our location and parking guide
- Get in touch
- Presidio
- Russian Hill
- North Beach
References
- Lee J-W, Lee J-H, Kim S-Y. Use of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Sports-Related Injuries in Athletes: A Systematic Review of Case Reports. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020.
- Vickers AJ, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. J Pain. 2018.
- Cotchett MP, Munteanu SE, Landorf KB. Effectiveness of trigger point dry needling for plantar heel pain: a randomized controlled trial. Phys Ther. 2014.
Get back to the waterfront
Book a session with Andrew, Ali or Suzanne online, or call us to talk through your injury first.