Although golfer’s elbow is 4 to 7 times less common than tennis elbow, it is still a condition that affects many people. In fact, 40% of golfer’s have some type of elbow pain due to overuse, but a surprising fact is that about 90% of people that have golfer’s elbow actually don’t get it from playing sports. Unfortunately, many people that are afflicted with golfer’s elbow end up turning to medications that don’t always fully work to deal with the pain. Fortunately there are safe and effective options to treat golfer’s elbow, such as acupuncture. It is not as commonly known for treating golfer’s elbow, but it is just as effective as it is for any other condition. The problem is that while standard medicine treatments do occasionally work, they will only end up suppressing painful symptoms on a temporary basis and not address the root problem. Depending on the severity, acupuncture is a great alternative treatment to standard medicine with high success rates, and virtually no side effects.
Understanding Golfer’s Elbow
Golfer’s elbow affects the muscles that go from the wrist to the funny bone, and is most common in those between the ages of 35 and 50. Essentially, it is the muscles that manage wrist flexion and the twisting action of the wrist. Many people confuse golfer’s elbow with tennis elbow, and although they are similar, they are actually on opposite sides of the elbow. Where golfer’s elbow is on the inside aspect of the elbow, or in medical terms known as medial epicondylitis, tennis elbow occurs on the outside of the elbow in medical terms known as lateral epicondylitis. Oddly enough, golfer’s elbow is most of the time not even caused by playing golf, but simply from overuse.
Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms:
- Pain worsens with specific movements
- Achiness in the wrists and hands
- Pain on the inside area of the elbow
- Tightness in the elbow, making a fist is difficult and can be painful
- Tingling and numbness in the fingers (usually the ring and/or pinky fingers)
- Decreased grip strength
- Swelling on the bone and muscles on the inside of the elbow
These symptoms can appear suddenly or gradually, and can range from intermittent pain to constant. In standard medicine, the remedy for golfer’s elbow is fairly standard across the board, but can involve a myriad of things depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Common Standard Medicine Treatments:
- Exercise/physical therapy
- NSAIDS such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief
- Soft tissue treatment
- Shockwave therapy
- Plasma injections
- Cortisone injections
- Extreme cases, surgery
Repeated stress on the elbow may not seem like that big of an issue, and many people think it will go away on its own. If rested, it is possible for it to go away on its own, but more often than not, it is continually overused, and the damage from continuing use on a damaged elbow can cause chronic/permanent damage. Inability to rest the elbow may lead to permanent damage, decreased range of motion, weak grip, or chronic pain. Fortunately, acupuncture works for treating golfer’s elbow without the side-effects and possibly unsuccessful medications.
Acupuncture for Golfer’s Elbow
In the world of Traditional Chinese Medicine, both golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow fall under the category of painful obstruction syndrome. Acupuncture works for golfer’s elbow by decreasing tension and stimulating the muscles and tendons of the elbow and allowing for better blood flow throughout the area and the body which is vital for true healing. By activating this healing response, acupuncture also allows for a quicker recovery time. Just like with any other type of treatment, the longer it has been inflamed the harder it is to resolve so seeking treatment as soon as possible is paramount.
Acupuncture Techniques for Golfer’s Elbow:
- Electroacupuncture – delivers small electrical impulses to the acupuncture needles which boosts weak or inhibited muscles, and releases tight muscles.
- Dry Needling – a technique done to specifically ease tight muscles releasing muscles knots causing pain.
- Traditional acupuncture – utilizing specific acupuncture points on the body after a thorough consultation to determine the severity of the issues with the elbow.
- Gua Sha – friction massage utilized to stimulate proper circulation of oxygenated blood, boost collagen production for healing, and get rid of scar tissue.
Acupuncture treatment stimulates the body’s healing response by bringing a steady flow of oxygenated blood to flush out the lactic acid and toxins that cause inflammation. In traditional Chinese medicine, treatments like icing the area are actually seen as counterproductive as the cold hinders blood circulation in the affected area. Acupuncture treatment does the opposite, and allows blood to flow, and essentially resets your muscles which releases energy and stimulates the nervous system for true healing. It will allow those afflicted with golfer’s elbow to regain flexibility, range of motion, and functionality in the arms and wrists while recovering.
Acupuncture Works for Golfer’s Elbow By:
- Decreasing inflammation
- Decreasing pain
- Increasing range of motion and flexibility
- Boosting healing and reducing recovery time
- Increasing energy
- Releases neurotransmitters that relieve pain
- Preventing future injury
Acupuncture not only takes your symptoms and/or injury into account, but the whole person from top to bottom which is why acupuncture treatment is so effective. No person is exactly the same or has the same body makeup, therefore it makes sense to treat each person individually rather than a broad “umbrella” treatment for their golfer’s elbow or any condition for that matter.
Along with acupuncture treatment, it is still essential to rest the elbow as much as possible. Those who have golfer’s elbow should try to avoid repetitive movement that involve the arms or heavy lifting, and stretch the forearms and hands regularly to increase circulation.
Try Acupuncture for Golfer’s Elbow
If you have golfer’s elbow or elbow pain in general, and have not had success with conventional treatment, acupuncture could be the answer for you. Be sure to do your research and find a licensed acupuncturist in your state, and be sure they have done treatments for the elbow. A good acupuncturist will be sure to do a detailed consultation, and fully explain what your diagnosis is and what your treatment plan will be. Find a licensed acupuncturist near you to get started treating your golfer’s elbow today!