Acupuncture has been found to be very effective in the treatment of tennis elbow and other forms of tendonitis. Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon and its ligaments, which attach it to the bone, often resulting from repetitive movements. The symptoms of tendonitis conditions are pain and tenderness at or near a joint with possible swelling over the area. Movement often aggravates pain.
The areas most commonly affected are the shoulder, elbow, wrist and thumb, knee, and ankle. Stiffness, along with pain can restrict movement of the joint. Allopathic treatment for tendonitis frequently consists of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Acupuncture is often a more beneficial tendonitis therapy because there are no side effects associated with medications.
Acupuncture needles are inserted near the source of pain, relieving local pain symptoms, addressing muscular dysfunction and improving blood circulation in the affected area. Acupuncture therapy may also use more distant points to reduce inflammation. Treatments using moxibustion (a technique in which the herb mugwort is burned over specific acupuncture points) may be included in addition to acupuncture. Your acupuncture physician may utilize moxibustion to warm the painful area, either by warming the needles directly with the herb or by using a “moxa roll” which is held over the skin for warmth.
Depletion of nourishing blood circulation causes tendons to become brittle, while low levels of bodily energy, or qi, weaken the immune system and general vitality. Acupuncture treatment will include selection of acupoints to treat these root causes as well as the painful symptoms. As a tendonitis therapy, acupuncture increases strength and ability to move joints without pain. Acupuncture also enhances healing of tendon fiber.
Regular maintenance treatments can prevent reoccurrence of tendonitis once it has been relieved. Strengthening exercises, massage or physical therapy may aid in improving tendon use. Your acupuncture physician may recommend Chinese herbal medicine to reduce soft tissue inflammation and for tendon strengthening. Session therapy length will be tailored to individual case. Acute stages may resolve in as few as six treatments. Chronic long-standing tendonitis conditions will require longer treatment plans. If you are experiencing acute or chronic tendonitis, call Dr. Richard Browne at (305) 595-9500 for a free 15-minute initial consultation.
