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Acupuncture
for the Treatment of Tennis Elbow
‘Tennis elbow’ is the common term used to describe a condition known as lateral epicondylitis, a form of tendonitis that involves inflammation of the muscles and tendons of the forearm. A tendon is the tissue that attaches the bones to muscles. Tennis elbow is usually experienced as pain in the elbow, a weakened grip, and damage to the tendons connected to the humerus (an upper arm bone). It can be caused by a repeated twisting of the wrist or rotation of the forearm. This condition is usually experienced by those who participate in sports such as tennis, golf, or other physical activities. People who work with their hands also have a greater risk of developing tennis elbow. Tennis Elbow and Acupuncture The tendons most commonly affected by tendonitis are known for being some of the weakest structures in the body. Injury of any sort is common in these tendons specifically because they have a relatively poor blood supply. This fact exacerbates tennis elbow and other forms of tendonitis because the fibrous tissues require a solid blood supply in order to heal. Acupuncture accelerates the healing process by improving circulation and blood supply to affected areas. Acupuncture is also focused on relieving pain. The practice of acupuncture helps with the release of the body’s natural painkillers (known as endorphins), which alleviate pain and inflammation. Through this process, patients also experience restored mobility. The effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of tennis elbow is well documented. One study of 58 patients with tennis elbow shows the remarkable recovery that many patients experience with acupuncture. Of the 58 patients in the study (ranging in age from 27 to 73 years), 52% reported no tennis elbow symptoms up to six months following treatment. An additional 40% had ‘excellent’ outcomes following acupuncture treatment after six months.* Understanding Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine The acupuncture practiced at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation is part of the Chinese medical tradition. It works by inserting very fine needles into points that correspond to various channels in the body. The ‘Qi’ or ‘life force’ of the body runs throughout the body on these channels. For tennis elbow patients, acupuncturists insert needles directly into the areas corresponding to pain and inflammation. Chinese medicine treats tennis elbow and other forms of tendonitis as a localized congestion of Qi and blood. Acupuncture restores the natural balance of the body, thereby improving circulation and allowing the body to heal itself without the use of harmful drugs. Holistic Treatment for Tennis Elbow at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation When suffering from conditions that involve pain and inflammation, it makes sense to seek out holistic treatments that can resolve the disorder while improving the overall health of the body. In the case of tennis elbow, pain medications can damage the body and usually only offer a temporary respite from pain. Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation offers a holistic, healthy, and multi-disciplinary approach to healing tennis elbow. Our Red Bank, NJ facility offers acupuncture, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and laser therapy in the treatment of tennis elbow. We also incorporate a full diagnostic process so that all health concerns are understood and treated properly. Click here to learn more about our free consultation offer. *He LP, Wen XA. Treatment on tennis elbow with heat needling: A clinical summary of 58 cases. J Tradit.Chin Med. 1988;8:129-130. |
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