Easing Neck Pain: How I Use Acupuncture & More to Help You Move Freely Again
Neck pain is one of the most common reasons people walk through my door. It’s no wonder — between long hours at a desk, looking down at your phone, old injuries, and all that stress, your neck ends up carrying a whole lot more than just your head.
When someone comes to see me for neck pain, I don’t just pop a few needles in and send them on their way. My approach is layered, thoughtful, and always tailored to what your body needs. Because no two necks (or people) are exactly the same.
My go-to toolkit
Acupuncture & trigger point needling:
I start by using traditional acupuncture to move qi and blood through the channels that run up the neck and shoulders — clearing blockages, easing tight muscles, and reducing inflammation. If we find those tender “knots” (trigger points), I’ll sometimes use a focused style of acupuncture to help them release more completely. Patients often describe a deep, spreading ache (the good kind) followed by real relief.
Tuina stretches & gentle traction:
Think of tuina as a blend of massage, stretching, and acupressure. I use it to loosen fascia, lengthen muscles, and restore healthy movement in your neck. Sometimes we’ll add gentle traction or specific stretches you can continue at home to keep the momentum going.
Gua sha & cupping:
If your neck and upper back feel tight, heavy, or “stuck,” gua sha and cupping are some of my favorite tools. They help increase local circulation, clear out metabolic waste, and melt tension in a way needles alone sometimes can’t.
Craniosacral therapy:
For neck pain that’s tied to jaw tension, headaches, or stress, I may weave in some craniosacral work. It’s incredibly gentle but helps calm the nervous system, unwind deeper holding patterns, and restore subtle balance through the spine.
Chinese herbs & lifestyle tweaks:
Chronic neck tension is sometimes more than just mechanical. Stress, poor sleep, and even digestive sluggishness can contribute. I may suggest a custom Chinese herbal formula or small shifts — like improving your desk setup, using warming liniments, or doing short breath practices — to support your healing from every angle.
Why I combine these therapies
I love working with neck pain because it responds so well to this kind of layered approach. Each modality does something slightly different: acupuncture moves energy and blood, cupping and gua sha open up circulation, craniosacral unwinds old patterns, and herbs plus lifestyle changes keep your progress from unraveling between sessions.
Together, they create a kind of synergy that helps your body remember how to move without bracing or guarding. Over time, we’re not just chasing pain away — we’re retraining your system so it doesn’t keep coming back.
Ready to feel your shoulders drop?
If your neck has been bothering you — whether it’s a fresh kink, an old injury, or tension that just won’t let go — let’s build a plan to get you back to moving with ease.