Oakland, CA – Can Acupuncture Help with Neck & Shoulder Pain and Tightness? Yes!

Have you ever been under so much stress that your neck and shoulders become one solid, tight, painful block? Have you ever woken up and realized you slept wrong and your neck is completely out of whack? Do you struggle with posture at work or at home and find that your neck and shoulders are always tight? Acupuncture can be a great resource for you!

A tight neck or tight neck and shoulders can get in the way of completing regular daily activities, from driving with safety and ease, to playing sports, to lifting your children or helping them with their homework. If the tightness is causing pain in the shoulders, neck, and/or head, you may find yourself resorting to pain medications or calling in sick at work.

Using acupuncture on your neck and shoulders is a remarkably low-pain, high-gain option for treatment! Acupuncture uses hair-thin needles that are inserted under the skin to release muscle tension and fascial tightness. Additionally, acupuncture causes the release of endorphins, which are neurotransmitters involved in decreasing the sensation of pain.

Typically an acupuncture treatment for neck and shoulder pain will be done face down — you’ll relax for about 30 minutes while the lightly inserted needles perform their work. You may also receive needles in other places in your body to help address stress, insomnia, headaches, or other health concerns. You’ll be amazed that after the needles are removed in 30 minutes, typically your neck and shoulders feel softer, you have increased range of motion, and you feel less pain.

For recent cases of neck and shoulder pain, I typically treat people one to three times until their symptoms are gone. For chronic cases of neck and shoulder pain (ongoing for more than a few weeks), we will often need weekly sessions for a few months to fully relieve the pain and tension.

Are you curious about whether acupuncture can help you with your neck and shoulder pain and tightness? Call me or send me an email and we can discuss whether acupuncture is right for you!