Elbow pain can significantly impact daily life, limiting movement and causing discomfort. Whether it’s due to repetitive strain, injury, or conditions like tennis or golfer’s elbow, finding effective relief is essential. In Tokyo, acupuncture offers a holistic and non-invasive approach to treating elbow pain. By targeting specific acupoints, acupuncture can help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and promote healing, offering lasting relief. This article explores how acupuncture can be an effective treatment for elbow pain and its benefits in restoring function and comfort.
What is elbow pain?
Most elbow pain has a very simple cause and clears up within a few days. The pain usually comes from strained or inflamed soft tissues such as tendons. You can normally treat this pain yourself with over-the-counter painkillers and a few days’ rest, and you may not need to see your doctor.
It’s important not to rest for too long as lack of movement causes your joint to stiffen and the muscles around your elbow to weaken, which increases the chance that you’ll have further symptoms. Simple exercises can help to reduce the risk of future problems. Long-term elbow pain can be caused by arthritis.
Causes
Most cases of elbow pain are due to strained or inflamed soft tissues such as tendons or ligaments. These tend to get better after a few days with simple self-care you can do at home. Sometimes elbow pain may be caused by a medical condition. A number of things can cause stiffness in your elbow, including arthritis (arth-rye-tus). Arthritis simply means a joint that is painful and swollen, and there are a number of types of arthritis. Stiffness can happen due to problems with the elbow joint itself or with the muscles, covering of the joint, or ligaments. In some situations, such as after an injury or operation, soft tissue can form into scar tissue. This can cause elbow stiffness. Occasionally, the elbow may lock in a fixed position. This is often short-lived but may be due to a loose bit of bone or cartilage in the joint. The loose fragments may need to be washed out in surgery.
Arthritis of the elbow
The elbow can be affected by various types of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It starts with the loss of cartilage, which is a thin protective layer that covers bones in a joint. In response the body can grow bony spurs within the joint and there can be an increase of fluid in the joint space. This can happen without you feeling any symptoms. But it can cause pain, swelling and stiffness in a joint.
Osteoarthritis is not very common in the elbow unless you’ve injured it in the past, for example if you’ve previously broken a bone.
The following types of arthritis can also affect the elbow:
- Rheumatoid (roo-ma-toyed) arthritis – an autoimmune condition that can cause pain and swelling in joints. Joints can be red, hot, stiff and tender to touch. Autoimmune conditions are caused when your immune system, which normally protects you from illness and infection, gets confused and mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy tissue.
- Psoriatic (sorry-atik) arthritis – an autoimmune condition associated with the skin condition psoriasis (so-rye-a-sis), that causes patches of red, raised skin with white or silvery flakes. It can cause pain and swelling in and around joints.
- Gout – a type of arthritis that causes pain and swelling in joints. It’s caused by a build-up of crystals of the waste product urate in the joints. Affected joints can be very painful, and the skin can sometimes be red and shiny.
Managing symptoms
There are several ways you can help yourself if you have elbow pain. These include taking painkillers, applying heat or ice packs, changing your movements and exercising.
Changing how you move
The first thing to do if you have elbow pain is to change, or possibly stop, any movements that might be causing your symptoms or making them worse. Flare-ups of some conditions, where the symptoms become suddenly worse, can be eased by avoiding bending the elbow into certain positions.
If you do any tasks for work that involve repetitive movements such as using a screwdriver or painting, it’s worth discussing this with an occupational therapist. These are healthcare professionals who can suggest how to change your movements and ways to support your elbow while it’s healing.
A GP can refer you to an occupational therapist, or you can see one privately.
If your workplace has an occupational health department, they should be able to help.
Drugs to reduce pain
Painkillers, such as paracetamol may help to ease pain. You should use them as and when you need them, but it’s best to take them before the pain becomes very bad.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a group of drugs that can help ease pain, swelling and stiffness. A common NSAID is ibuprofen, which you can buy at chemists and supermarkets.
If you have stomach problems after using pain relief or NSAIDs, you should stop taking the tablets and see your doctor. There are also anti-inflammatory creams or gels you can rub onto your elbow, which don’t cause stomach problems.
Splints
For some conditions, such as tennis elbow, using a splint to support your elbow may ease the strain when you’re doing certain activities that cause it to flare up. They’re available from chemists, sports shops and physiotherapists. They’re also known as epicondylitis clasps. Ask a healthcare professional or a pharmacist if a splint would help you, and when and how you should wear it.
Heat or ice packs
Placing a heat or ice pack to your elbow for 10 to 15 minutes every few hours can ease pain and stiffness. You can use a reusable pad, a microwavable wheat bag or a hot water bottle. A bag of frozen peas can also be helpful if you don’t have an ice pack.
Make sure you don’t put either a heat or an ice pack directly onto your skin, as this could burn or irritate it. You should wrap them in something like a tea towel first.
Heat encourages blood to flow to a part of the body, and this can ease stiffness, encourage recovery of damaged tissue, and relieve pain. Don’t apply heat to your elbow if it’s swollen or if you’ve just injured it, as this can make it worse.
Ice reduces blood flow to part of the body, and this can reduce swelling.
People sometimes find that alternating between heat and ice throughout the day can help. Experiment and see what works best for you. Talk to a GP or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
Exercises
To prevent your elbow joint stiffening and your arm muscles weakening it’s best not to rest for more than a few days. Start some gentle exercise as soon as the pain begins to ease. Simple exercises can help restore your range of movement, maintain your strength and ease stiffness.
We have some examples of simple stretching and strengthening exercises.
Start by exercising very gently and gradually build up the amount you do. It’s normal to feel muscle ache after exercise but stop if you get any joint pain that doesn’t go away quickly.
A GP or physiotherapist can give you advice on exercising.
Diagnosis
Most elbow problems can be diagnosed and treated after a simple examination, and it’s unlikely you’ll need to have any special tests.
Your doctor may suggest you have an X-ray, which can show any new bone growth, any small pieces of loose bone, or arthritis.
Very rarely an ultrasound scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be needed to rule out or confirm a diagnosis.
In an ultrasound scan a small device is placed on the skin. Sound waves create an image of part of the inside of the body.
Someone having an MRI scan will need to lie in a large tube, and magnetic fields and radio waves produce detailed images of the inside of the body.
You may need a nerve conduction test if you’ve been having problems with your nerves. Small electrodes are placed on your skin to stimulate nerves. This will measure how fast messages are sent through the nerve, and the length of delay will give an idea of how badly the nerve is being squeezed.
Treatments
Self-help treatments, including rest and stopping the activity that caused the pain, can often resolve elbow pain, especially for conditions like tennis or golfer’s elbow. For persistent or complex issues, a doctor may suggest other treatments.
Physical Therapy
Physiotherapy helps build strength and flexibility in the elbow, preventing recurrence. Exercises to stretch and strengthen the elbow, such as using light weights or resistance bands, are commonly recommended. An occupational therapist can also assist in modifying activities that cause discomfort.
Steroid Injections
For severe pain, a steroid injection may provide short-term relief. However, they aren’t recommended for tennis or golfer’s elbow, as they can worsen symptoms over time.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections
PRP injections, which involve injecting concentrated platelets from your own blood into the affected area, have shown to be more effective than steroids for conditions like tennis and golfer’s elbow. This treatment is still not widely available in all hospitals.
Surgery
In rare cases, surgery may be needed. Options include removing bone growths, releasing tight tissues, or keyhole surgery to remove loose bone fragments. For severe arthritis, an elbow replacement may be considered, though most cases can be managed with non-surgical treatments.
Consult your doctor for the most appropriate treatment based on your condition.
Acupuncture for Elbow Pain in Tokyo
How acupuncture works for elbow pain
Acupuncture works through several mechanisms that can help relieve elbow pain. While TCM explains the effects of acupuncture in terms of balancing qi and restoring harmony in the body, modern scientific research has identified several biological processes through which acupuncture may provide pain relief and promote healing:
1. Pain Modulation
Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that help reduce the perception of pain and promote a sense of well-being. Studies have shown that acupuncture can lead to an increase in endorphin levels, which may explain why many patients experience a reduction in pain after acupuncture sessions.
2. Increased Blood Flow
By stimulating specific acupuncture points, acupuncture may enhance circulation in the area where pain is present. Improved blood flow helps to bring oxygen and nutrients to tissues that are injured or inflamed, which speeds up the healing process. Additionally, increased circulation can help reduce swelling and promote the removal of waste products that accumulate due to inflammation.
3. Nervous System Regulation
Acupuncture has been shown to affect the nervous system, particularly in terms of reducing the transmission of pain signals to the brain. By targeting specific acupoints, acupuncture can help regulate the activity of nerve fibers, thereby reducing the sensation of pain. This effect is especially useful in conditions like golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow, where nerve irritation is often a contributing factor.
4. Muscle Relaxation
In cases where elbow pain is associated with muscle tightness or spasms, acupuncture can help relax the muscles by improving blood flow and releasing muscle tension. This can lead to improved range of motion and a reduction in pain caused by tight or overworked muscles.
5. Reduction of Inflammation
Chronic inflammation in the elbow joint, often seen in conditions like arthritis or tendonitis, can be a major contributor to pain and stiffness. Acupuncture has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce swelling and discomfort in the affected area. By targeting specific acupuncture points, practitioners can help modulate the body’s inflammatory response, promoting faster healing and lessening pain.
Conditions that acupuncture can treat for elbow pain
Acupuncture has been found to be effective for treating a variety of conditions that cause elbow pain. The following are some of the most common elbow-related conditions that acupuncture can help address:
1. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow is one of the most common causes of elbow pain. It occurs when the tendons that attach to the outer side of the elbow become irritated or inflamed due to repetitive motions, such as those involved in sports, manual labor, or heavy lifting. Acupuncture can help relieve pain by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. Multiple studies have shown that acupuncture can provide significant relief for individuals with tennis elbow, reducing both pain and functional impairment.
2. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Similar to tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow involves inflammation of the tendons, but it occurs on the inner side of the elbow. This condition is commonly seen in individuals who perform repetitive gripping or swinging motions. Acupuncture can target the specific acupuncture points associated with the forearm and elbow muscles to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and restore function.
3. Olecranon Bursitis
Olecranon bursitis occurs when the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac at the tip of the elbow, becomes inflamed. This condition is often caused by repeated pressure on the elbow or direct trauma. Acupuncture can help reduce the swelling of the bursa and alleviate the discomfort caused by inflammation. Studies suggest that acupuncture can be particularly effective for treating bursitis by promoting fluid circulation and reducing local inflammation.
4. Elbow Arthritis
Elbow arthritis, including both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, can cause chronic pain and stiffness in the joint. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in managing arthritis pain by targeting specific acupoints that reduce inflammation and increase circulation to the affected joint. Regular acupuncture treatments can help individuals with elbow arthritis manage their symptoms, improve joint mobility, and reduce long-term pain.
5. Tendonitis and Ligament Injuries
Injuries to the tendons and ligaments in the elbow, whether from overuse, trauma, or aging, can lead to chronic pain and stiffness. Acupuncture can help promote tissue healing by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation, and relaxing the surrounding muscles. By encouraging the body’s natural repair processes, acupuncture can aid in the recovery of tendon and ligament injuries and prevent future recurrence.
6. Nerve Impingement and Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
Nerve impingement, such as ulnar nerve entrapment, can cause pain, tingling, and numbness in the elbow and hand. Acupuncture may help reduce nerve compression by improving blood flow to the affected area and relaxing muscle tension around the nerve. Several studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can be effective in managing symptoms of nerve impingement, providing both pain relief and improved function.
The Acupuncture Treatment Process
When you visit an acupuncture clinic for elbow pain, the practitioner will begin by assessing your condition and discussing your symptoms in detail. A personalized treatment plan will be developed based on the type of elbow pain you are experiencing and its underlying causes. The treatment process typically involves:
- Needle Insertion: Thin needles are carefully inserted into specific acupoints along the arm, elbow, and sometimes other parts of the body. The number and placement of needles depend on your individual condition.
- Needle Stimulation: The needles may be gently manipulated to encourage further stimulation of the acupoints. Some practitioners may also use electrical stimulation or heat therapy to enhance the effects of acupuncture.
- Relaxation: You will typically rest for about 20 to 30 minutes while the needles are in place. During this time, you may experience a sensation of warmth or a mild tingling as the body responds to the treatment.
- Follow-up Sessions: Depending on the severity and duration of your elbow pain, multiple sessions may be required. Acupuncture is often more effective with regular treatments, and your acupuncturist will track your progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Benefits of acupuncture for elbow pain
Acupuncture offers several potential benefits for individuals suffering from elbow pain:
- Non-invasive: Acupuncture is a non-invasive treatment option that does not require surgery or medication, making it a safe choice for many people.
- Fewer side effects: Compared to pain medications, acupuncture has minimal side effects, such as soreness or slight bruising at the needle insertion sites.
- Holistic healing: Acupuncture aims to treat the root cause of the problem rather than just masking the symptoms, promoting long-term healing and preventing recurrence.
- Improved mobility: By reducing inflammation, relaxing muscles, and enhancing circulation, acupuncture can help improve the range of motion and flexibility in the elbow joint.
- Complementary treatment: Acupuncture can be used alongside other therapies, such as physical therapy, massage, and conventional medical treatments, to enhance results and accelerate recovery.
Acupuncture Points for Elbow Pain
Acupuncture targets specific points on the body to relieve pain and promote healing. For elbow pain, acupuncturists typically focus on points that influence the flow of energy (qi) through the arm, elbow, and related meridians. These points help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and relax tight muscles, all of which contribute to pain relief and improved joint function.
Some commonly used acupuncture points for elbow pain include:
- LI11 (Quchi):
Located at the outer end of the elbow crease, this point is known for its ability to reduce pain and inflammation. It is often used to treat conditions like tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, where there is inflammation around the elbow joint. - LI4 (Hegu):
Found on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger, LI4 is a powerful point used to relieve pain and promote the flow of energy throughout the body. It is commonly used in acupuncture for musculoskeletal pain, including elbow pain. - SI8 (Xiaohai):
Located at the elbow crease on the opposite side of the joint from LI11, SI8 is frequently used to treat pain and stiffness in the elbow and arm. It is especially effective for conditions related to tendonitis and joint inflammation. - TE5 (Waiguan):
Located on the outer forearm, approximately two inches above the wrist, this point helps regulate the flow of energy along the arm’s meridian, making it useful for elbow pain caused by overuse or muscle strain. - ST36 (Zusanli):
While not directly on the elbow, ST36 is a vital point located below the knee that is frequently used to boost overall energy and improve circulation. It can aid in reducing chronic pain and inflammation in the body, including in the elbow.
By stimulating these acupoints, an acupuncturist can help address both the symptoms and root causes of elbow pain. The combination of increased blood flow, reduced muscle tension, and balanced energy helps restore function to the elbow joint and promote faster healing. Each treatment is personalized to the individual, taking into account their specific condition and symptoms.
Conclusion
Acupuncture is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment option for individuals suffering from elbow pain. Whether you’re dealing with conditions like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, arthritis, or nerve impingement, acupuncture can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and promote healing. By targeting specific acupuncture points to restore balance in the body and address the root causes of pain, acupuncture offers a holistic approach to managing elbow pain that can complement other treatments and improve your quality of life.
If you are struggling with elbow pain and seeking an alternative or complementary treatment, consider consulting with a licensed acupuncturist to explore how acupuncture may benefit you. With its long history of effectiveness and minimal side effects, acupuncture can help bring lasting relief and restore function to your elbow joint.
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- Address: 132-0031 Matsushima 1-chome, 21-14, Tokyo, Japan
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