What can Oriental medicine do to treat TENNIS ELBOW? 

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          There are many ways to treat tennis elbow in Oriental Medicine, including acupuncture, acupressure, traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and dietary changes. 

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          Acupuncture​ is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. These points are believed to be connected to the body's energy pathways, or meridians. When the needles are inserted, they stimulate the release of endorphins, natural pain relievers. Acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for tennis elbow, a painful condition that occurs when the tendons in your elbow are overloaded. Acupuncture can help reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation to the injured area in the outer elbow or forearm, relieve pain, and improve function. A study found that acupuncture has fewer adverse events like fatigue, sleep disturbance, and gastrointestinal intolerance than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for relieving pain in tennis elbow patients (Zhou et al., 2020). Another study also found that acupuncture was more effective than sham acupuncture, which is a placebo treatment that does not involve the insertion of needles, in relieving pain after one treatment and improving functional impairment at the 2-week follow-up (Gadau et al., 2014).

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          Ear acupuncture is a safe, inexpensive, and effective treatment for recovery and chronic pain relief (Angelo, 2021). It is a type of acupuncture that involves pressing flower seeds or pellet needles against specific ear points. These points connect to the body's energy pathways or meridians. When the ear points are pressed, they stimulate the release of endorphins - the natural pain relievers. Ear acupuncture can also help to improve circulation and reduce inflammation.

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         Traditional Chinese herbs can treat tennis elbow caused by blood stagnation or excess mucus in the form of granules, teas, liquid extracts, powders, capsules, or a custom formula created by an herbalist just for you (Fenneld, 2021). The herbal formula is created by the energy vibration that “correctly stimulates or adjusts the body’s own vibration” (Encyclopædia Britannica, n.d.), which means they work by stimulating the body's natural healing abilities. They can help to reduce inflammation, pain, and muscle weakness. Some of the most common herbs used for tennis elbow include:

• Turmeric: Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory herb that can help to reduce pain and swelling.

• Ginger: Ginger is also an anti-inflammatory herb that can help to reduce pain and improve circulation.

• Bromelain: Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple that can help to reduce inflammation, swelling, muscle soreness, and pain (NIH, 2020). 

• Fenugreek: Fenugreek is a herb that contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It can be applied as a paste to the affected area to reduce inflammation and pain (Huizen, 2019). 

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          Moxibustion is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) technique that involves burning mugwort, a traditional Chinese herb, either directly or indirectly over specific acupoints on the body. Moxibustion, used to stimulate the acupuncture points in the body, can also be used concurrently with acupuncture. When combining acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, a moxa block is placed on the handle of the acupuncture needle (Kaputk, 2022). Moxibustion is an effective TCM modality for a variety of conditions, including tennis elbow, because it can help improve blood and fluid circulation and reduce inflammation. It can also help to relieve pain and allow the individual to regain the full range of movement with the occasional recurrence of symptoms (Gadau et al., 2014). 

          There are a number of lifestyle recommendations that can help to treat tennis elbow at home, including:

• Resting the affected arm. This means avoiding activities that aggravate the pain, such as playing tennis or using a hammer.

• Applying ice or a cold pack. This can help to reduce swelling of the tendons in the forearm and pain. Apply ice for 15-20 minutes at a time, several times a day (Mayo Clinic, 2021). 

• Taking over-the-counter pain relievers. These can help to relieve pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve) are all effective options if taken for a short period.

• Doing easy exercises to strengthen the forearm muscles. These exercises can help to prevent the condition from recurring, including:

  • Finger stretches with a rubber band

  • Gripping a soft object continuously, such as a rubber ball

  • Curling the wrists/elbows palm up and palm down