Upper Cervical Chiropractic of San Francisco

I was in a minor bike accident 2 days ago. I’ve been seeing Dr. Lawlor for a few months, so I called and Katie (the amazing receptionist) called me right back and scheduled me for today. I went in and got checked and adjusted. I feel so much better already. My neck is crunching and grinding less, my breathing is easier, my neck muscles are less sore. My balance is also measurably better (I stood on a pair of digital scales before I went to see him, and right when I got back, because I’m a nerd like that — instead of an extra 30 pounds on the right, my weight is evenly distributed!)
I recommend Dr. Lawlor as a patient and a fellow chiropractor. He’s a great doctor and a really good guy.

I cannot say enough about how incredible Dr. Ryan and Katie are. I started seeing Dr. Ryan for hip pain 4 months ago, I figured it might have something to do with my spine but couldn’t be sure until Dr. Ryan showed me the actual x-​rays of my skull and upper cervical spine and confirmed that there were many issues to be fixed. He jumped right in, giving me very specific adjustments tailored to my needs each week. Not only are the adjustments painless and quick (plus no cracking or weird bending of the neck!) but Dr. Ryan has a very caring and gentle bedside manner. Going into his office I always know I will be put at ease through his expertise and willingness to explain every little detail to me, he and Katie’s kind and gentle demeanors, and the relaxing 10-​minute rest period after each adjustment.
I think every single person should go in at the very least for the thorough consultation and screening! I learned so much about my past injuries, how they may be effecting my body today, and learned how sincere and trustworthy Dr. Ryan is all from an hour long consultation! Totally worth the time even if he decides upper cervical treatment is not the right fit for you, he’ll happily refer you elsewhere, if needed.
Not only has seeing Dr. Ryan been great for my hip and headaches (I am now running 5+ miles and hiking on multi-​day backpacking trips with NO PAIN and rarely get headaches anymore) but it’s also been great for my peace of mind about my body and well-​being, not to mention a little restoration in my trust of doctors and humanity, simply becuase Dr. Ryan is that personable, genuine, and caring.

By midmorning, it starts … again; the all-​too-​familiar «tension headache» that soon evolves into a headache behind my right eye and pain in my right temple. By the end of the day, it progresses into burning pain on the right side of my neck. This was a typical daily scenario for me until I found Dr. Lawlor and his unique and effective approach to correct the body balance. There is no cracking, popping, or twisting in his technique, yet it it so efficacious that I forgot what headache and neck pain feel like! I come for regular adjustments twice a month and I feel like an all new person every time I leave his office. In my opinion, every body can benefit from his non-​invasive, natural approach and feel absolutely amazing! Could not recommend him enough!

I have suffered with frequent migraines for most of my life. I went to Neurologists, and they just experimented with various medications to relieve the pain — but never offered an actual cure. My wife had discovered the effectiveness of Upper Cervical Care to help her recover from a serious neck injury that had her suffering through debilitating chronic pain. She recommended I give it a try for my unbearable headaches.
Don’t be a skeptic about Upper Cervical. It really works! I’ve been seeing Dr. Lawlor for 2 months, and am already well on my way to a migraine-​free existence. He is outstanding at his job and has a phenomenal bedside manner. He is a true professional, clearly explains everything, and administers care with unbelievable sensitivity and empathy. He’s not just a great chiropractor, but also a phenomenal human being. In this era when Doctors are often so cold & impersonal, he is an extraordinary partner in your recovery.

I went to Dr. Lawlor for the first time this week. He got me in the same day that I called to help with my back pain. I’m a strong believer in the Blair method. Getting adjusted is quick, painless and makes you feel so much better. You feel a bit like you got hit by a train for a day but the healing is almost instant after 24 hours.
This type of chiropractor care is amazing and helps with your overall alignment, healing any back issues.

Was visiting SF for a wedding and had a terrible migraine. Dr. Lawlor saved the day. He took the time to call my regular doc and then gave me a great adjustment. I was able to enjoy the wedding migraine free. Very professional and amiable. Highly recommended!

Dr. Lawlor was awesome. He helped explain to me chiropractic, the process of the adjustment and what to expect from treatment. I was really nervous the first time but thankfully he made me feel at ease and I started care!

For almost three months now, for unexplained reasons, I’ve been having constant headaches and pressure in my face/​sinuses, as well as jaw and neck tension. I’ve seen my primary care doctor, ENT, neurologist, and nothing has helped so far. Desperate for help, I decided to try upper cervical chiropractic since I figured everything that’s going on seems to be upper cervical related. I had never gone to a chiropractor before, and also appreciated that the upper cervical method is supposedly gentler without any cracking or popping.
Dr. Lawlor is a very kind person, and he seems to want what’s best for his patients. He is very honest about what he thinks, and really believes in his work. I was skeptical about whether I’d feel any effect, but was really hoping I’d be proven wrong. I visited his office once a week for about three weeks, and received 1 – 2 adjustments each time. Unfortunately, I never felt any different or any relief after the adjustments. Eventually I stopped because I was paying out of pocket ($ 150 for initial assessment, $ 250 for x-​ray, and $ 100 – 125 for the following appointments) and I couldn’t afford to continue if it wasn’t making much or any difference. Normally after your first adjustment you’d be put on some sort of treatment plan that’s supposed to offer a little bit of a discount, but since I wasn’t feeling any different after the adjustments, he didn’t want to put me on a treatment plan until he could figure out something that works for me. When I told him that I may not continue, he was very understanding, and though he really wanted to help me, he did not in any way pressure me to continue.
Although the adjustments did nothing for me, every person is different and considering all the other positive results here on Unilocal,I still think it’s worth giving Dr. Lawlor a try, simply because he seems like a trustworthy person that really does care about his patients and isn’t in it just for the money. I’m glad it worked so well for others, and really wish it could have worked for me! I guess I am unfortunately the exception here as my journey to recovery continues…

I’ve never used a chiropractor before in my life. Whenever I even thought about it, I just figured it would be so little gained for so much time and cost. I met Dr. Ryan and decided to give him a chance.
In the two weeks since, what started off as a curiosity has quickly become a life-​changing event. I sit and walk straighter, the back pain I’ve dealt with my entire adult life has yet to resurface, and I simply feel more clear-​headed and confident.
What I find best of all is that Ryan does this cool smoke and mirrors trick during my adjustments so that you don’t even feel the correction. Seriously, a few times I swore he didn’t even touch me, but I certainly felt the effects of the correction after sitting up!
Ryan’s a genuinely caring guy that just wants to straighten out everyone’s necks: D
I recommend him highly!

wow, so impressed at the end of process, thank you. Did an awesome job. I would pay anything to get my life back. Staff was respectful courteous and quick.

Dr. Lawlor gave me a free consultation, said I didn’t need his services, and then let me out of his office without paying as much as a dime. When’s the last time you had healthcare service like that? You can tell that he cares about his practice and his customers. Couldn’t recommend him highly enough.

After 15 years of pain, I’ve been «cured»! One of my adjustments lasted 6 months when prior to Dr. L a normal chiro adjustment lasted only minutes. I can easily now turn my head and do lots of activities that were always painful before (running, biking, swimming, yoga). I used to be in intense pain ²⁴⁄₇ and now I just have the normal pains someone my age would have. I feel like a new human being and am elated that I can spend the rest of my life doing activities like a normal person. Thanks to Dr. Ryan for being patient with me.

Dr. Lawlor is a miracle worker. I highly recommend him.

Dr Lawlor has hands of gold! And his personality is just totally awesome. I have been to many different doctors in many countries and I have never met anyone like dr Lawlor before with his most attentive and careful attitude. First and the most important point is that I came to dr Lawlor with a severe pain in my left leg and lower of the back that was caused by car accident. And after his first adjustment the pain in leg was gone. I couldn’t believe it! Doctor warned me that I might get worse but eventually I’ll recover. And indeed, some days are worse than another, as my spine condition is not stable yet. But it’s such a huge progress. It takes time and I’m lucky to be in such good hands, feeling myself better and better each time I visit. Second point that I want to mention is that the personality of dr Lawlor is just great. He is never too busy to answer all your questions, to help with all your concerns and to do everything he can to make you feel better– physically and emotionally. People with serious back problems need attention and emotional help too, and I guess dr Lawlor perfectly understands it. He can even call you a day after the adjustment asking how you feel.
I see how much he enjoys helping people. I could write a lot here because I’m deeply thankful to dr Lawlor and appreciate his work greatly. But the best would be if you come for a visit and check it out yourself. I promise you — this is the right place to go if you want to fix your spine!
Lidia K.

Dr Lawlor is amazing! He came as a recommendation of De Beebe from Seattle. His adjustment lasted me for months and it made me feel amazing! In addition, they were nice enough to stay late for me on a Friday night! I am very impressed and if you feel like your body hates you. He will make it love you once more. He is going to accept insurance soon! More reason to come :)

When you gaze up in the skies on a clear night, it’s impossible to count the stars. It’s endless stars for Dr. Ryan Lawlor! His amazing wife Marissa Lawlor referred me to the practice for facial nerve inflammation and said he can make miracles happen! So I made an appointment. My initial visit was great! He was so thorough with explaining my condition and even used great illustrations to help me to understand. On my second visit I had my first adjustment painless and very relaxing. After the session he went over home care instructions. Next day I felt so much better! I thank God that I’ve met Dr. Ryan Lawlor and Marissa Lawlor. Amazing people. Highly recommend Dr Lawlor to all my friends and family. Thank you Dr. Lawlor for your expertise and care on my behalf. He truly cares about his patients well being!

Dr. Lawlor I can’t thank you enough. I’ve been «self-​adjusting» my neck for 17 yrs. Friends and family have been encouraging me to stop the bad habit, but every time I tried, my neck was so stiff and I was in too much pain from all the tension. Dr. Lawlor made a simple adjustment twice. Yes– only twice, and I have not been scaring people with how much noise I can make with my neck popping. It was pretty loud!
The pain in my upper back and neck have disappeared. I had know idea I could feel this free!
If you are a chronic self-​adjuster like I was, it might not be just a bad habit. You might be like me, and you were out of alignment.
Another great thing– I’m not sure how this all relates, but I’ve been feeling so much more relaxed… physically and emotionally. Dr. Lawlor– THANK YOU!

A million Trillin Stars for this practice that has saved me after being hit by a car in a crosswalk. When I first came here I was in tears and desperation from the daily pain and agony from my injuries from the collision. In a short period of time I am mobile and am starting to be able to smell again (which the neurologists at SFGH said I never would again and hadn’t for the past 6 months!)
I also can’t express enough the kindness and generosity and positive feeling that is experienced here. No wonder why they are rated so highly.
Dr.Lawlor has been a godsend to me! I couldn’t hardly, walk, lay or exist without horrific neck and back pain and couldn’t work when I first met him. And today I jogged a couple blocks!!! That is huge for me!
I had never heard of Upper Cervical Care before meeting Dr. Lawlor and now would recommend it to everyone and am a huge believer as it has helped change my life quickly! I recommend looking it up. When you read and see the science behind it, it makes perfect sense and is fascinating. I wish I would of found him sooner but am so grateful I found him at all (only two weeks ago!!)
Dr.Lawlor is full of energy and confidence and excitement in his work and breaks down scientifically why and how what he is doing works.
Highly recommend this place!
Plus they are on the top floor in Union Square w great views and bright natural light :)
Thank you a million !!

I owe it to my fellow Unilocalers for helping me find find Dr. Lawlor… and he has been every bit as helpful as the others promised. After suffering from debilitating migraines for the last 2 ½ years and trying several therapies that did not work or only offered a day or two of relief, I’m so grateful to Dr. Lawlor for helping me be almost migraine free these last several weeks.
At my free 30-​minute consultation he listened carefully to all of my symptoms (even the possibly strange ones that may or may not have had anything to do with headaches…) and he was very honest about whether he thought he could help me. He did not pretend this was a one-​size-​fits-​all method or that he can help everyone. He said I might get better right away or it might take a while, but the key is consistency in getting the adjustment to stay, so you come frequently at first and gradually see him less and less. He also said that recovery can be a bit of a roller coaster, with regression. He was right about all of it and I appreciated his honesty.
This was really refreshing because as I said I have tried a LOT to get rid of these migraines and I feel like most practicioners do think they can save the world with their practice, they get my hopes up, collect their fee and then several weeks later I am no better off.
It was quite the opposite here. I had significantly fewer and milder headaches from the get-​go. He told me it would not seem like «other» chiropactic methods, and he was right. It’s one small adjustment that does not crack or pop and then you just rest for ten minutes and get on your way. I also appreciate that Dr. Lawlor in the several visits I have made always seems to be running on time and so no waiting — my appointment time is actually the time we get started! Again, so refreshing.
Dr. Lawlor is an empathetic, capable healthcare professional who I highly recommend!

Dr. Lawlor has earned my deep respect as both a caregiver and a human being.
6 months ago, I was preparing for a 1 year trip-​around-​the-​world. I’ve had pretty significant problems with my nervous system, so as you might imagine I was quite nervous on top of my excitement for my travels. I’ve been to see neurologists, cardiologists, and a host of other specialists for my conditions, and after running the gamut of traditional options I left feeling like most of my doctors weren’t really hearing me or hearing the clues in the more subtle symptoms that I shared with them. I was nervous that I would have a similar experience with Dr Lawlor, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
During my initial consult it was clear that 100% of his attention was there with me. He not only listened fully, but was so mindful as he was observing and testing my body positions and movement that I felt securely in capable hands.
I had some observations to share about my own experiences that directly contradicted input from previous medical professionals, and I feel like he took my self-​knowledge seriously, and weighed it fairly alongside his own knowledge and observations to recommend a path of action.
The treatment plan we agreed to made a significant difference in my symptom reduction and overall well-​being in the mere 2 weeks I had before leaving the US.
6 months later, after many loooong international flights, cramped overnight buses, stressful travel days, and hard hotel beds, I *still* feel noticeably better than before his treatment. (This is huge for me!)
Truly, I cannot recommend Dr Lawlor highly enough, and attribute much of my health on the road to his capable care.