Despite its name, golfer’s elbow affects far more people than just those who spend their weekends on the golf course. From office workers gripping computer mice to construction workers handling heavy tools, anyone who repeatedly uses their forearm muscles can develop this debilitating condition. We’ve seen countless patients struggle with the persistent aching pain on the inside of their elbow that makes simple tasks like opening jars or shaking hands feel nearly impossible.
Medial epicondylitis, commonly known as golfer’s elbow, represents a breakdown of the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to the bony prominence on the inside of your elbow. Unlike acute injuries that heal with rest, this condition involves degenerative changes in the tendon tissue that require targeted intervention to stimulate proper healing. Traditional treatments often fall short because they fail to address the underlying tissue dysfunction that perpetuates the problem.
At our clinic, we’ve found that dry needling offers a uniquely effective approach to treating golfer’s elbow by directly targeting the affected tissues at a cellular level. This evidence-based technique allows us to reach areas that manual therapy cannot access, stimulating healing responses that conventional treatments simply cannot achieve. Through our comprehensive approach combining dry needling with other advanced therapies, we consistently help patients return to their activities pain-free and stronger than before.
Understanding Golfer’s Elbow: More Than Just Inflammation
Golfer’s elbow occurs when the common flexor tendon that attaches to the medial epicondyle of your upper arm bone undergoes microscopic tears and degenerative changes. This isn’t simply inflammation that will resolve with rest and anti-inflammatory medications. Instead, it represents a failed healing response where the normal tissue repair process has gone awry, leaving behind weakened, disorganized collagen fibers that cannot handle normal stress.
The condition typically develops through repetitive gripping, twisting, or flexing motions that place excessive strain on the forearm flexor muscles. These muscles work together to bend your wrist downward and rotate your forearm inward—movements that occur constantly throughout daily activities. When these muscles become overloaded, they pull excessively on their shared tendon attachment, creating microtears faster than the body can repair them.
Risk factors extend well beyond golf and include any activity requiring sustained gripping or repetitive wrist flexion. Office workers who spend hours typing, mechanics who constantly use hand tools, and athletes in racquet sports all face increased risk. Poor ergonomics, muscle imbalances, and previous elbow injuries can further predispose someone to developing this condition. Understanding that acupuncture for tendonitis shares similar underlying mechanisms helps explain why targeted needling techniques prove so effective.
The symptoms typically start as a mild aching sensation that gradually worsens over time. Patients often describe a deep, burning pain that radiates down the forearm, particularly noticeable when gripping objects or making a fist. Morning stiffness and weakness during activities that require finger and wrist strength become increasingly problematic as the condition progresses.
The Science Behind Dry Needling for Golfer’s Elbow
Dry needling works through multiple physiological mechanisms that directly address the tissue dysfunction present in golfer’s elbow. When we insert thin needles into the affected muscles and tendons, we create controlled microtrauma that triggers the body’s natural healing cascade. This mechanical stimulation promotes the formation of new blood vessels, increases growth factor production, and stimulates fibroblast activity—all essential components of proper tissue repair.
One of the most significant advantages of dry needling lies in our ability to target myofascial trigger points within the forearm flexor muscles. These hyperirritable spots develop when muscle fibers remain in a contracted state, creating areas of increased tension that perpetuate pain and dysfunction. The needle insertion causes these trigger points to release, immediately reducing muscle tension and improving blood flow to the affected area.
Research has demonstrated that dry needling can produce rapid improvements in pain and function for patients with golfer’s elbow. A notable case study published in the medical literature showed significant pain reduction and functional improvement after just one dry needling session in a patient with chronic medial epicondylitis who had failed multiple other treatments. The patient was able to return to exercise and normal activities following the intervention.
Perhaps most importantly, dry needling allows us to directly treat the periosteum—the membrane covering the bone where the tendon attaches. Inflamed periosteum contributes significantly to the persistent pain in golfer’s elbow, yet remains virtually impossible to address through other conservative treatments. When we needle the periosteum, we create a strong autonomic nervous system response that reduces sympathetic tone and promotes healing. The healthy periosteum feels firm when contacted with a needle, while inflamed tissue has a characteristic mushy texture that immediately identifies areas requiring treatment.
Studies examining electro-acupuncture benefits have shown that adding low-frequency electrical stimulation through the needles enhances these effects. The electrical current further stimulates tissue repair mechanisms and provides additional pain relief through neurological pathways. This combination approach often produces faster and more lasting results than dry needling alone.
Our Comprehensive Treatment Approach
Every patient who comes to us for golfer’s elbow treatment begins with a thorough assessment using the EXSTORE system developed by Dr. Anthony Lombardi. This proven methodology allows us to examine muscle function comprehensively and identify the specific dysfunctions contributing to each patient’s condition. Rather than simply treating symptoms, we investigate the underlying movement patterns and muscle imbalances that led to the tendon overload in the first place.
During the examination phase, we test multiple muscle groups throughout the arm, shoulder, and upper back to identify inhibited or overactive muscles. Golfer’s elbow rarely occurs in isolation—it typically results from compensatory patterns that develop when other muscles fail to function properly. We assess your posture, evaluate your range of motion, and identify movement dysfunctions that may be perpetuating your condition.
Our dry needling technique specifically targets several key muscle groups involved in golfer’s elbow. The pronator teres muscle, which helps rotate your forearm inward, frequently develops trigger points that increase stress on the medial elbow. We also address the flexor carpi radialis, flexor carpi ulnaris, and palmaris longus muscles, which can all contribute to tendon overload when dysfunctional. The treatment extends beyond the forearm to include muscles in the upper arm and shoulder that may be compensating for the elbow dysfunction.
The actual needling process involves inserting thin, sterile needles into identified trigger points and areas of tissue dysfunction. You may feel a brief twitch response when we contact a trigger point—this indicates successful needle placement and trigger point release. Many patients describe a deep aching sensation that quickly subsides as the muscle relaxes. The entire treatment typically takes 30-45 minutes, depending on the number of areas requiring attention.
We integrate dry needling with other evidence-based therapies to optimize your results. This may include soft tissue mobilization using specialized instruments to break down scar tissue and improve tissue quality. Corrective exercises help retrain proper movement patterns and strengthen weakened muscles, while ergonomic modifications address the activities that contributed to your condition in the first place.
The beauty of our approach lies in addressing both the symptoms and the underlying causes of your golfer’s elbow. While dry needling provides immediate pain relief and tissue healing stimulation, the corrective exercises and movement training prevent recurrence by eliminating the dysfunctional patterns that created the problem initially.
Benefits and Expected Outcomes
Patients consistently report significant improvements following our dry needling treatments for golfer’s elbow. Pain reduction often occurs immediately during the treatment session as trigger points release and muscle tension decreases. This initial relief allows for improved range of motion and reduced stiffness that many patients haven’t experienced in months or years.
The tissue healing response triggered by dry needling continues for days to weeks following treatment. New research on acupuncture for inflammation demonstrates how needling techniques modulate inflammatory pathways, promoting resolution of chronic inflammation while stimulating tissue repair. Patients typically notice progressive improvement in their symptoms over the first week following treatment, with continued gains occurring over the following weeks.
Functional improvements represent some of the most meaningful benefits our patients experience. Activities that were previously painful or impossible—such as gripping tools, lifting objects, or playing sports—gradually become comfortable again. Many patients report being able to return to activities they had given up due to their elbow pain. The combination of pain relief and improved function allows people to return to work, hobbies, and recreational activities that contribute to their quality of life.
Recovery time with dry needling typically proves much faster than conventional treatments alone. While traditional approaches may require months of gradual improvement, our patients often experience significant relief within the first few sessions. However, we emphasize that lasting results require addressing the underlying causes through corrective exercise and activity modification.
The long-term benefits extend beyond simple pain relief. By addressing muscle imbalances and movement dysfunctions, we help prevent recurrence of the condition. Patients learn to recognize early warning signs and implement strategies to maintain their improved function. Many report feeling stronger and more confident in their arm function than they had before developing golfer’s elbow.
Understanding how many acupuncture sessions do you need to see results helps set realistic expectations for treatment. While some patients experience dramatic improvement after just one session, most benefit from 3-6 treatments over several weeks to achieve optimal results.
Why Choose Our Clinic for Your Golfer’s Elbow Treatment
Our approach to treating golfer’s elbow goes far beyond simply inserting needles and hoping for the best. With over 20 years of experience in pain management and sports therapy, we bring a level of expertise and precision to dry needling that produces consistently superior results. As board-certified acupuncturists, we understand both the traditional principles of needle placement and the modern scientific understanding of how these techniques affect tissue healing.
We utilize the EXSTORE system to ensure we’re treating the root causes of your condition, not just the symptoms. This systematic approach to muscle testing and treatment sets us apart from providers who take a more generic approach to dry needling. Every treatment plan is customized based on your specific examination findings and functional goals.
Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Living
Don’t let golfer’s elbow continue to limit your activities and quality of life. Our proven dry needling techniques, combined with comprehensive muscle assessment and corrective exercise programming, offer you the best opportunity for lasting relief from this frustrating condition.
Contact Lycoming Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture today to schedule your initial consultation. Our experienced team will develop a personalized treatment plan using orthopedic acupuncture and dry needling techniques specifically designed for your condition. Take advantage of our comprehensive approach that includes corrective exercise programming to ensure lasting results. Call now or contact us to begin your journey back to pain-free function.
