Brief Answer:
No real scientific evidence supporting acupuncture.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

There are many different options around for spinal problems like yours. There is physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractics, traction etc. They are not effective in all patients and since at times pain improves even without using any of them it is difficult to assess, can't judge on individual cases which might get better or worse with or without therapy. It is for that reason that as medical professionals and scientists us doctors usually recommend the ones for which there there is evidence based on studies involving large numbers of patients and comparing, divided in groups and compared with each other.

So since among these options the only one showing benefit in clinical studies has been physical we recommend usually physical therapy and I agree with your neurologist recommendation about physical therapy. You state that your pain got worse, however the purpose of physical therapy is not to stop the pain right away, it is to gradually strengthen core muscles in order to lessen the load on the spine and avoid long term problems in the future. Because of that I usually prescribe some type of anti-inflammatory painkiller like Naproxen or Ibuprofen for the first weeks. A muscle relaxant such as Flexeril and a cervical soft collar for a few weeks may also help.

As for acupuncture, it is generally regarded as a safe procedure (unlike say chiropractic which I wouldn't recommend for the neck) so there is no harm in trying it when all the rest fails. However because it belongs to alternative medicine there is a lack of clinical studies to assess its benefit, for that reason it is hard to recommend it over a proven method like physical therapy.

I hope to have been understandable and not protracted myself too long. I remain at your disposal for other questions.

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