Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is a very common injury. Patients tend to be unable to grip things easily, if at all. This is due to inflammation of the extensor tendon of the elbow. As we grip objects, we tend to extend the hand backwards and this causes the pain.
There may be pain on the lateral epicondyle of the humerus (the bony protuberance on the outside of the elbow).
Acupuncture treatment involves feeling around the elbow for tender points and needling them. Normally little is felt as the acupuncture needle goes in, it is the ‘feeling around’ which causes the most discomfort!
Depending on which acupuncture channels are involved, additional points will be selected on the hand to help move the energy from the affected area down the channel. This encourages the circulation of blood, and reduces the pain – often with very good results.
If both elbows are affected then there is likely to be a back problem complicating the picture and this will need more treatment.
Acupuncture is effective in 90% of cases.