Acupuncture for Neck & Shoulder Pain
Stiff necks, tight shoulders, and that knot between your shoulder blades are some of the most common reasons people come to Wongu Health Center. Here is how we treat them.
Hours at a desk, on your phone, behind the wheel, or dealing cards can leave your neck and shoulders tight and sore. Stress tends to settle there too. Many people put up with it for months before looking for help.
What the research says
Neck and shoulder pain are among the most studied uses of acupuncture. A large analysis of data from about 20,000 patients in 39 randomized trials found acupuncture eased chronic neck pain and shoulder pain more than both sham acupuncture and usual care, and most of the benefit was still present a year later.1
Who we see
- Chronic neck stiffness and pain that keeps coming back
- Tight, sore shoulders and upper back from desk work, driving, or repetitive work
- Neck and shoulder tension that comes with stress or tension headaches
- People already in physical therapy, chiropractic care, or massage who want added support
See a doctor first, or go to the ER, if you have:
- neck pain after a car accident, fall, or other injury,
- numbness, tingling, or weakness in an arm or hand,
- a stiff neck with fever or a severe headache,
- shoulder or arm pain with chest pressure, shortness of breath, or sweating (call 911), or
- trouble with balance, walking, or coordination.
These can be signs of something that needs medical care right away.
How we treat it at Wongu
A thorough first visit. Your practitioner asks where the pain is, what makes it better or worse, how you sit and sleep, and what your work involves. A tongue and pulse assessment shapes the treatment plan from a Chinese medicine perspective.
Acupuncture at local and distant points. Needles are placed around the neck, shoulders, and upper back, and often at points on the hands and arms. You rest for 20–30 minutes while the needles are in.
Cupping for tight muscles. Many neck and shoulder patients get cupping on the upper back, which lifts and loosens tight muscle. It can leave temporary round marks.
Advice you can use. Simple changes help: raising your screen to eye level, taking short movement breaks, and using heat on tight muscles. Your practitioner may suggest gentle stretches for between visits.
How many visits?
Many patients start with weekly visits for several weeks and then space them out as they improve. Research trials for chronic neck pain commonly used around 6 to 12 sessions. Your practitioner will check your progress with you and tell you honestly if treatment isn't helping.
Intern or licensed OMD?
Both are available. A supervised student intern visit costs less and gives you a longer first appointment (1.5–2 hours), and a licensed OMD oversees every treatment. A visit with one of our licensed OMDs takes about an hour. Every visit is one-on-one in a private treatment room.
| Visit | Supervised Intern | Licensed OMD |
|---|---|---|
| Initial visit (consultation + treatment) | $80 · 1.5–2 hours | $120 · about 1 hour |
| Follow-up visit | $50 · about 1 hour | $80 · 30–55 minutes |
| Cupping (up to 30 min) | $50 | $100 (includes OMD consultation) |
| Custom herbal formulas & teas | From $15/day | From $15/day |
Common questions
Get help for neck and shoulder pain
First visits from $80. Self-pay patients can book online. VA Community Care and Culinary Health Fund patients should contact Wongu Health Center before scheduling so we can verify eligibility, authorization, and provider availability.
Related pages
Sources
- Vickers AJ, et al. Acupuncture for Chronic Pain: Update of an Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis. Journal of Pain. 2018;19(5):455–474.