Elbow Pain Relief Treatment with Acupuncture
Medically referred to as lateral epicondylitis or a repetitive stress injury, tennis elbow occurs because of the overuse of certain muscles in the region. Playing the backhand during a tennis session can cause irreparable damage and stress to the forearm muscles. A repeat of contractions while hitting the ball causes the pain to manifest. Since the game is associated with repeated strokes in the game of tennis, chances of getting tennis elbow is a constant.
Golfer’s Elbow
Golfers elbow or medial epicondylitis is also the result of a repeated stress related disorder, which occurs in the tendons that connect the elbow and the forearm. Pain occurs primarily in the central region of the bony bulge located inside the elbow. The avid golfer uses the forearm to rotate the arm, grip, and flex the wrist. The repetitive movement pulls at the tendons causing small tears to manifest. While both the conditions may be asymptomatic to the games that people play (tennis and golf), they are not always the cause.
Conventional methods to treat the conditions involve physiotherapy, some painkillers, and if required, limited doses of steroids to the affected area. While physiotherapy helps, constant medication can create an addiction of sorts. Acupuncture, the ancient science, is a natural and alternative treatment for the condition. The professional determines the cause of the pain through a series of examination techniques. Carry your scan and x-rays for the consult.
The acupuncturist examines the area for pain, redness, and swelling and conducts a series of motion tests of their own. Once the cause and symptoms are factored, the professional uses sterilized needles on mirror points. Mirror points are the areas that are not affected by pain but located near the region. There is pain relief almost immediately as one feels an improvement of blood circulation, considerable reduction of the swelling, and the muscles relax.
Endorphin Release
The physiological remedy that is propagated by ‘western’ medicine of using natural relievers like ice is not advocated by this ancient Chinese science. The belief is that it does not provide any solution but is counterproductive as it hinders blood circulation in the affected region. However, a resource like herbal ice in the form of plasters along with the sterilized needles promotes the circulation of blood thereby reducing inflammation and the reduction of pain. The age-old practice applies pressure to certain points lying close to an underlying nerve. By pricking certain medians on the skin, endorphins are released. The methodology blocks any transference of pain and even boosts the immune system considerably while booting stress out the door.
Plenty of professionals in the ancient Chinese science has been around spreading the message of acupuncture and its advantages in healing health problems. It is imperative to find the right one who has the license to practice the method. It is not only a good way to rid your body of the pain from either tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow, but it keeps you physically charged as well.
For more information about how acupuncture and other treatments can help you, please contact the Urban Acupuncture Center Board Certified Licensed Acupuncturist’s team at Indianola Ave, Clintonville (614) 725-2488 | Main St, Westerville (614) 426-4406 or click here. Taking new patients in and around greater Columbus, Ohio.
Photo by Rob Chandler (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/5314774452/) [CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons