A 2014 elbow pain study determined that acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine massage (Tuina) effectively treated tennis elbow (a.k.a. lateral epicondylitis).
Elbow Pain Study
The research was conducted on ninety athletes at the Science and Experiment Center of Guangzhou Physical Education Institute. The participants were randomly divided into three groups:
- First Group (1) received acupuncture only.
- Second Group (2) received tuina massage only.
- Third Group (3) received acupuncture combined with tuina.
All three groups showed significant positive clinical outcomes. Group 3, acupuncture combined with tuina, demonstrated more significant improvement than the other groups, suggesting a synergistic effect.
Acupuncture is Safe
There were no adverse side effects in any of the groups in the elbow pain study. Therefore, investigators concluded that acupuncture and tuina massage were safe and effective lateral epicondylitis treatments.
Tennis Elbow Pain
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a form of tendinitis – inflammation of the tendons attached to the elbow. Symptoms include sharp, stabbing pain in the elbow, often traveling down the forearm to the hand. Activities involving repetitive motion – like tennis, weight lifting, painting, typing, and knitting – trigger tennis elbow. The pain escalates from lifting, gripping, twisting, and straightening the wrist.
Elbow Pain Treatment Options
Conventional treatments for lateral epicondylitis include physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), icing, bracing, local steroid injections, and surgery.
Acupuncture and tuina massage have successfully treated lateral epicondylitis for 1,000 years. This elbow pain study applied carefully controlled measurements to examine the benefits of these ancient modalities.
Group One – Acupuncture
The acupuncture group received treatment either sitting or laying down. Then, acupuncturists inserted the points and elicited a “deqi” sensation – an achy feeling at the site of the needle, which indicates that Qi energy is sufficiently activated. All needles were sterile, single-use, and retained for 30 minutes.
The practitioners applied the following acupoints in the elbow pain study: LI12, LI11, LI10, LI4, SJ5, and ashi (tender) points.
Group Two – Tuina
The tuina massage group received treatment sitting with their elbows bent and relaxed. Techniques included kneading, grasping, one-finger meditation manipulation, and plucking ashi points.
The practitioners applied tuina massage to the following acupoints: LI11, LU5, LI4, PC6, SJ5, LI5, and LI10. Each session lasted for 15 to 20 minutes. Afterward, the patients relaxed with their forearms at rest.
Group Three – Acupuncture and Tuina
The combination group received acupuncture and massage on the same day.
All groups received daily treatment. One course of tuina, acupuncture, or both consisted of 10 days. There was a two-day break following the first course. The entire treatment lasted for two courses, totaling 20 treatments.
Elbow Pain Study Outcomes
Group 3 (acupuncture and tuina) demonstrated the most significant clinical improvements. Of the 31 participants, 20 were cured entirely, 5 made excellent improvement, 5 experienced moderate improvement, and one had no improvement. Groups 1 and 2 also had good results, but not as significant as the combination therapy.
Based on these results, the researchers concluded that acupuncture and tuina massage effectively treated lateral epicondylitis for athletes and that combining the therapies increased positive patient outcomes.
Next Steps
At Raleigh Acupuncture, we have been successfully treating tennis elbow for years. We also treat golf elbow (medial epicondylitis), shoulder pain, wrist pain, and thumb pain. Treatments are safe and relaxing.
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Video – Raleigh Acupuncture Elbow Pain Treatment.
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Additional Research and Case Studies
Additional Elbow Pain Research.
Reference
Qiu, Yanchun. “Comparative Study on the Treatment of Acupuncture and Massage of External Humeral Epicondylitis for Athletes.” Journal of Guangzhou Physical Education Institute
Focus Keyphrase: elbow pain study
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