Natural therapy of Tennis Elbow

Overview

Tennis elbow is a condition caused by inflammation of the extensor tendon on the outer bony prominence (lateral epicondyle) of the elbow. It usually occurs when there is gradual wear and tear associated with overuse.  Certain repetitive movements of the wrist can cause this condition.

Symptoms and Signs

·       Pain on the outer bony part of the elbow

·       The pain may radiate down the arm into the forearm, wrist， and up into the shoulder

·       Pain increases when grasping or holding an object

·       In some case, the forearm is  weak and results in muscular atrophy

Causes

Western medicine recognises that tennis elbow is a type of repetitive strain injury, resulting from tendon overuse and failed healing of the tendon.

Chinese medicine believes that tennis elbow relates with exogenous pathogenic factor (wind, cold, wetness).

Treatment of Chinese medicine (natural treatment)

Acupuncture:

Acupuncture is the use of thin needles inserted into the body at acupuncture points to clear energy blockages and encourage the normal flow of Qi through the individual.

Acupuncture point choice:

In a clinic, most doctors would choose the points around the elbow. Commonly used points are where there is tenderness, Quchi(LI11), Shousanli（LI0), Waigua(?)（TE5)etc.

Normally acupuncture treatment should be done 2-3 times a week

Cupping：

Cupping is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a local suction is created on the skin. Practitioners believe this mobilises blood flow in order to promote healing.

The position of the cup is illustrated as above, and kept in position for 20mins. Because the elbow is a bony area, it may be difficult to keep the cups in place.

Normally cupping treatment should be done once a week.

Moxibustion:

Moxibustion is a traditional Eastern Asian medical therapy using moxa made from dried mugwort (Artemisia argyi) to heat similar acupuncture points and meridians to mobilize blood flow in order to promote healing.

Lighting one end of the moxa stick, place two fingers around any acupuncture point on the skin and place the moxa stick 2-3 cms from the skin, in between the fingers. Hold in this position for about 5-7 minutes.  Afterwards, while holding the moxa stick the same distance from the skin as before, move it back and forth around the wrist extensors that join the wrist to the elbow, for about 3 minutes.

Normally moxibustion treatment should be done 2-3 times a week.

Gua sha:

Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medical treatment in which the skin is scraped to produce light bruising. Practitioners believe Gua sha releases unhealthy elements from injured areas and stimulates blood flow and healing. Modern research shows Gua sha produces an anti-inflammatory and immune protective effect.

This special tool is placed against the oiled surface of the skin, pressed down firmly, and then moved down the muscle, or along the pathway of the acupuncture meridians.

For tennis elbow, Gua sha should start about 4cms above the elbow, extending 2cm passed the wrist. This should be continued over all the wrist extensors for about 7-10 minutes. If the upper arm has pain, you should start from the shoulder instead of the elbow.

Normally Gua sha treatment should be done at 2-3 times a week.

Summary

Tennis elbow is a common term for a condition of repeated injury caused by the overuse of wrist extensors. When this condition first occurs, the best treatment is to rest the elbow and put it in an elbow brace. However, these natural therapies are also quite helpful. If one natural therapy is undertaken a few times and does not get the expected result in the healing process, you can combine a few natural therapies together. Also other western medicine will help too, such as an injection, anti- inflammatory medicine, and even surgical treatment.