Treat Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) with Acupuncture

In this article we’ll discuss tennis elbow, which can be treated with acupuncture. For those who suffer from tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis, regular acupuncture sessions can be helpful. Acupuncture is performed by inserting thin needles into strategic points on the body – acupuncture for tennis elbow specifically is performed similarly.

Let’s discuss more about how Acupuncture can help with Tennis Elbow.

How Can Acupuncture Help?

It’s true, acupuncture can help with pain caused by tennis elbow, also called lateral epicondylitis. In fact, acupuncture for tennis elbow has been gaining in popularity for years. But, what is tennis elbow exactly? Well, it isn’t necessarily a condition that only affects tennis players. Tennis players make up about 10% of those with the condition, according to medical professionals. That said, tennis elbow isn’t flooding the general population either. Only about 1% of Americans have it. Those that do have tennis elbow often don’t realize that acupuncture is an option – but it is. Below we’ll talk more about how acupuncture helps with your trigger points.

Exercises to Combine with Acupuncture for the Best Results

Wrist extension exercises
Wrist flex exercises
Squeezing a ball
Wrist extension with a broom handle
Elbow flexion and extension

What is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is an inflammation that happens on the elbow, on a bone called the lateral epicondyle. As a result of tearing and overuse, the elbow’s outer area gets hit with pain. The pain is due to the inflammation of the surrounding muscles and joints. The pain often spreads further out, affecting the forearm and wrist. Tennis elbow can be very painful, making it difficult for sufferers to perform daily tasks, computer work, exercise, and more. Sometimes people with tennis elbow start tasks but are unable to finish them because of the pain.

The Muscles of Tennis Elbow

These are the muscles that are affected by tennis elbow

Extensor carpi radialis brevis
Extensor carpi radialis longus
Extensor carpi ulnaris
Extensor digitorum communis

What are the Common Symptoms of Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow is a condition that makes certain tasks and daily activities painful. If you think that you have tennis elbow, look out for these eight signs.

Weak wrist and elbow
Tenderness on the elbow’s medial side
Tightness in the forearm
Stiff elbow
Decreased movement in elbow
Pain in the elbow, wrist, forearm
Difficulty holding objects
Trouble gripping

Jobs and Activities Associated with Tennis Elbow

While most often associated with athletes, tennis elbow can affect anyone. That’s because tennis elbow is caused by overuse and repetition. There are certain jobs, careers and fields that are especially affected by tennis elbow. Here are examples of jobs that put individuals at a much higher risk of getting tennis elbow.

Plumbers
Carpenters
Painters
Computer analysts
Waiters
Butchers
Bakers
Electricians
Gardeners
Golfers
Dentists
Factory workers and machinists
Musicians
Chefs and sous chefs
Mechanics
Tennis players
Athletes
Weight lifters
Court reporters
People who knit and crochet
People who sew

Trigger Points

For thousands of years in Chinese medicine these have been called Ashi points or “oh yes” points – they’re places that cause pain upon palpation of the tissue. Trigger points are tight and tender bands in the belly of a muscle. They can appear in any muscle and cause pain directly in the muscle while also referring to other areas. Trigger points are areas where the muscle has shortened and tightened – also called contraction. The circulation in these areas is impared, causing a lack of oxygen and nutrients. It also impairs the ability to clear waste products, resulting in pain and muscle dysfunction.

Muscles do not function in isolation, so when one muscle’s function is dysfunctional it can cause a series of reactions in the chain of muscles that work together to allow or produce certain movement. So when treating your injury we are looking for a pathway of pain. Connected places in the body affected by the injury or illness. We look for the areas of tightness causing muscle dysfunction as well as areas where there is pain. Only when both are treated can you achieve the rapid result I do with my patients, here at Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center.

How can Acupuncture Help with Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow causes a lot of pain and discomfort. For people affected by tennis elbow, participating in everyday, normal activities can be tough. The good thing is, acupuncture can help. Acupuncture doesn’t rely on painkillers to get the job done. Instead, acupuncture helps stimulate blood flow, which can help restore nerve function and improve pain overall.

Where can I treat Tennis Elbow with Acupuncture in Raleigh, North Carolina?

Tennis Elbow can be treated with acupuncture. Acupuncture can also help with other types of pain, swelling, migraines, bursitis, muscle cramps, hip pain, carpal tunnel, and more. If you’re searching for a qualified Acupuncturist to help with your tennis elbow in Raleigh, North Carolina, you’ll want to find someone with experience, qualifications, and compassion. Look no further than Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center. Our goal since 2010 has been to provide quality and compassionate acupuncture in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding areas.

Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center for all of your Acupuncture needs

Hi, I’m Jim Eleczko, the founder of Acupuncture Pain and Stress Center and it’s my mission to provide you with compassionate, whole-person care using holistic treatments, including Acupuncture and topical herbal medicine. I’m a board-certified and licensed Acupuncturist practicing since 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. I love that I get to wake up every day to make meaningful changes in my patient’s lives. I’ve seen first hand the changes that Acupuncture can make. As a teen I suffered from allergies and my father suggested that I try Acupuncture to calm the symptoms. It worked – and left a lasting impression on me! Now I offer Acupuncture and other treatments to help people with a variety of issues, including anxiety, migraines, fibromyalgia, and more. Our other treatments include Dry Needling, Tuina Massage, Guasha, Cupping, Stretching, Orthopedic Movements, Electroacupuncture and Therapeutic Exercises.

Here’s a bit more about me and my qualifications: I studied the 4-year program at Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine and continue to travel multiple times a year to study with my mentor, Andrew Nugent-Head. I also studied under Dr. Ed Garbacz, M.D. LAc and spent a year working and studying under Dr. Bonnie Walker, M.D. LAc. I have also done extensive post-graduate studies in acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicine from lectures of acupuncturists like Dr. Nguyen Van Nghi, Dr. Tran Viet Dzung, Matt Callison, and Edward Obaidey.

Get in touch with me by calling (919) 260-4104. I’d be happy to answer your questions and get you booked for an appointment today!