One of the most common questions people ask our Clinic about treatment for tennis elbow pain is “Acupuncture or massage?”
Which one is going to help me?
Firstly it is important to emphasise that Chinese Medicine is very suitable for treating tennis elbow pain because it understands that such tendinitis conditions can be caused not only by physical exertion but also by mental overwork and even overexposure to cold or damp environments (which is why this ailment is so common), according to Chinese Medical theory.
In response to that Chinese Medicine has developed a diverse toolbox of therapies for tennis elbow pain – both acute and chronic – which includes acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and therapeutic massage.
However, in general practice Chinese Medical treatment for tennis elbow pain usually begins with syndrome acupuncture based on full Chinese Medical diagnosis. By gently stimulating certain acupoints on the body, an experienced Chinese Medical doctor can use acupuncture therapy to relieve the pain and gently trigger the body’s own recovery processes. Part of the acupuncture effect in the treatment for tennis elbow is also an improvement in the natural moistening and nourishment of the affected tendons.
Once the tendons benefit from acupuncture and the pain disappears, therapeutic massage can be introduced into the treatment programme and gradually replace acupuncture. As part of the treatment, certain Chinese herbs might also be prescribed to support the curative effects of acupuncture in between the sessions. Naturally all treatment is provided only after a full Chinese Medical diagnosis and consultation.
The short answer is: For acute and chronic tennis elbow pain, a session of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Consultation is the recommended place to start for natural treatment.