Acupuncture for Golfer’s Elbow

acupuncture-for-golfers-elbow

Golfer’s elbow – or medial epicondylitis – is a common condition that befalls sportspeople, manual workers and office managers alike. It can be very painful if left untreated, and as you may suspect, it is loosely related to tennis elbow. If you’re suffering from inner elbow pain and are unsure how to relieve the symptoms, acupuncture for golfer’s elbow may be the best course of action to take.

What is golfer’s elbow – and what are the symptoms?

Golfer’s elbow is the straining of your elbow muscles and tendons on one particular side. Unlike tennis elbow, the pain you are likely to feel with this condition will burn deeply – and may travel from the inside of your elbow down towards your wrist. It can also cause extreme stiffness in your joints, meaning it may be impossible to perform everyday jobs or enjoy some sports.

Tennis elbow, meanwhile, affects the outside of your joint – the main difference lies in the location of the injury. Otherwise, both conditions are remarkably similar.

Golfer’s elbow is also known as baseball elbow due to how the injury can occur. In active people and those who play sports, the condition can arise from a tearing or straining of your elbow tendons when throwing overarm, or repetitively swinging a bat or club. It may also occur when you consistently play tennis with your forehand. 

Those first developing this condition may notice a slight tingling or stiffness in the affected arm. While these symptoms are unlikely to impede your activities much initially, they can worsen if left to persist.

Unfortunately, golfer’s elbow can also arise outside of sports. Repetitive motions where you are likely to use your arms in an overhand manner could result in straining to your tendons. What’s more, the symptoms of this condition can arise gradually, or even suddenly – which is why it is all the more important to seek diagnosis – and treatment – as soon as possible.

Do I need to treat golfer’s elbow?

While it is theoretically possible to heal golfer’s elbow with rest, it is not recommended. If you continue to play sports or work hard with strained elbow tendons, you may run the risk of further damage or require surgery. The latter, while rare, must still be avoided wherever possible. Hospitalization or a lack of action taken could result in your ability to play sports, or even do some of the things you love, in the long run.

Acupuncture for golfer’s elbow is recommended to help restore function and to help rehabilitate your joint over a shorter period of time than you may anticipate. Generally, resting your arm and elbow, and avoiding scenarios where you may strain it further, can help to remedy pain and further injury. However, merely relying on rest and pain medication alone can result in a long recovery process.

Your doctor or physician may directly recommend acupuncture or massage for your golfer’s elbow if your condition worsens or fails to respond to remedial treatment. Thankfully, acupuncture has been proven to help patients recover from golfer’s elbow over short periods.

Why is acupuncture good for golfer’s elbow?

Acupuncture helps to stimulate areas of your body known as motor points, creating gentle contractions and relaxations. This action helps to ‘reset’ your muscles, therefore releasing energy and stimulating the various areas of your nervous system.

Acupuncture for golfer’s elbow can help to encourage recovery from deeper strains and tears. It can not only target pain points in your joints and effectively reduce pain you are experiencing in the short-term, but it may also help to reduce inflammation around your elbow.

Crucially, acupuncture can help you regain flexibility – and functionality – in your arms and wrists while recovering from your injury. While you may not be able to play sports intensively while you undergo treatment, you can at least continue to enjoy life with less pain and less restriction of movement.

What can I expect from acupuncture for golfer’s elbow?

An acupuncture treatment plan for golfer’s elbow will look different for each individual patient. If you are a professional athlete, for example, you may expect a longer recovery period compared to a casual golfer – especially if you train a lot, or overly hard. Therefore, your individual treatment plan and course will depend entirely on your lifestyle and your current strength.

Our clinic ensures to get to know you well from your first consultation. For example, during a two-hour session, we carefully test your strength to check for any hidden weaknesses or inhibitions. During this time, you will get to ask questions regarding your condition and learn more about the different therapies available to help treat golfer’s elbow for the better.

Treatment of golfer’s elbow – through acupuncture, electrostimulation or otherwise – may result in weekly treatments, monthly consultations, or otherwise recommended. It’s vital, however, to continue to rest your elbow as much as possible to recover fully from your injury. Otherwise, you may risk undoing much of the good work you experience at each acupuncture session!

Book a consultation

If you are suffering from golfer’s elbow, it is important to ask for help when you notice problems arise. Even a slight tingling from the inside of your elbow down towards your wrist could indicate that it is time to seek therapeutic help.

Sports therapy and pain management services from our professional acupuncturists will ensure that you embark on the right track towards full muscle and joint rehabilitation. Our qualified clinic aims to help you regain function, so you can get back to doing everything you love.

Leaving golfer’s elbow unchecked and untreated could cause you severe pain and discomfort for a long time to come. Even if you have never had acupuncture before, get in touch with our clinic to find out more about the benefits.
Book a first consultation towards acupuncture for golfer’s elbow now with Lycoming Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture – call 570-244-4188, or email us at info@lycoacu.com.

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