Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) are painful overuse conditions of the tendons around the elbow. Despite the names, most people who get them don’t play tennis or golf – they are common in office workers, manual workers, parents lifting young children and anyone doing repetitive gripping. At AcuPro Clinic in Abu Dhabi we treat both with acupuncture, electro-acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
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Acupuncture for Golf Elbow / Tennis Elbow
Overview
Tennis elbow causes pain on the outside of the elbow; golfer’s elbow causes pain on the inside. Both often spread into the forearm and make gripping, lifting a kettle, turning a door handle, typing or shaking hands painful. Without care, symptoms can drag on for many months.
Causes
Repeated gripping, twisting and wrist movements overload the forearm tendons where they attach to the elbow, leading to small tears and irritation. Typical triggers include racket and golf sports, computer and mouse work, DIY, gardening, playing instruments and heavy lifting.
Risk factors
- Repetitive arm, wrist or gripping movements at work or in sport
- Age 30–60
- Poor technique or equipment (racket grip, golf swing)
- Sudden increase in training or workload
How acupuncture & TCM can help
Acupuncture is widely used for tennis and golfer’s elbow to ease pain, relax tight forearm muscles and improve local circulation to support tendon healing. In Traditional Chinese Medicine these conditions are seen as Qi and Blood stagnation in the channels of the arm, which we treat with local and distal points.
Our treatment process
After assessing your elbow, grip strength and daily activities, we use fine needles around the painful tendon and along the forearm, often with electro-acupuncture for stubborn pain. Cupping, moxibustion or Tui Na massage may be added to release the forearm muscles. We will also give you practical advice on load, posture and simple exercises.
Aftercare advice
- Rest the arm from the aggravating activity, but keep it gently moving
- Use a lighter grip and lift with your palm facing up where possible
- Apply warmth to tight forearm muscles; follow the stretches we show you
Results you can expect
Many patients feel a clear reduction in pain within 3–5 sessions. Long-standing cases may need a longer course, combined with home exercises.