Tennis Elbow Treatment NYC
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis
Imagine experiencing a sharp, persistent pain on the outer side of your elbow that makes even simple tasks—like gripping a cup or shaking hands—excruciating. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is often the result of overuse and repetitive strain of the forearm muscles. At Morningside Acupunctures, our integrated approach is designed to reduce pain, improve function, and help you return to your daily activities with confidence.
Overview of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a condition characterized by:
Pain and tenderness along the lateral (outer) elbow
Weak grip strength
Discomfort that may radiate down the forearm
It commonly results from repetitive stress or overuse of the extensor muscles of the forearm.
Understanding the Biomechanics & Mechanisms
Tennis elbow is typically associated with:
Muscle/Tendon Overuse:
Repetitive activities cause micro-tears in the tendon origin of the extensor muscles.
Inflammatory Response:
Overuse leads to localized inflammation and degeneration at the tendon attachment.
Referred Pain:
Trigger points in the forearm muscles (e.g., extensor carpi radialis brevis) can refer pain to the lateral elbow.
Treatment Options: A Broader Perspective
Conventional treatments for tennis elbow include:
Medications:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Physical Therapy:
Strengthening and stretching exercises
Bracing/Supports:
Counterforce braces to reduce tendon strain
Injections:
Corticosteroid injections to alleviate inflammation
Surgery:
Reserved for chronic, unresponsive cases
Differential Diagnosis:
Tennis elbow pain can mimic other conditions such as:
Radial tunnel syndrome
Elbow bursitis
Nerve entrapments
Our integrated approach—combining acupuncture with dry needling—addresses the underlying muscular and tendinous imbalances as a first-line treatment option.
How Acupuncture & Dry Needling Can Help
Our dual-modality approach offers these benefits:
Acupuncture:
Insertion of fine needles at traditional TCM points to modulate pain pathways, enhance circulation, and reduce inflammation.
Dry Needling:
Targets specific trigger points within overused muscles to mechanically release tension and promote healing.
Summary Table:
| Treatment Component | Techniques Used | Mechanism/Benefits | Example Points/Targets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acupuncture | Insertion at TCM points | Modulates nerve pathways; increases local blood flow; reduces inflammation | LI10 (Shousanli), LI11 (Quchi), LI4 (Hegu) |
| Dry Needling | Insertion into trigger points | Releases muscle tension; improves range of motion; reduces referred pain | Trigger points in Extensor carpi radialis brevis, Extensor carpi radialis longus, Supinator |
Acupuncture Points for Tennis Elbow
Our sessions may include these key acupuncture points, chosen for their relevance to lateral elbow pain:
LI10 (Shousanli):
Located on the forearm, this point is effective in alleviating muscle tension and pain.
LI11 (Quchi):
Situated at the lateral elbow, LI11 is used to reduce local inflammation and improve circulation.
LI4 (Hegu):
Although on the hand, LI4 is widely used for its overall pain-modulating effects.
Trigger Points for Tennis Elbow
We also target the following trigger points that contribute to tennis elbow:
Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis:
Often the primary site of tendon overuse and micro-tears.
Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus:
Trigger points here contribute to radiating forearm pain.
Supinator:
May develop tightness that further aggravates lateral elbow discomfort.
Research & Evidence
Acupuncture Research for Tennis Elbow
In 1994, researchers Molsberger and Hille treated people with chronic tennis elbow using real acupuncture versus a fake (sham) procedure. Those who got the real acupuncture reported their pain dropped by more than half and the relief lasted almost a full day on average. In contrast, the sham group saw only a small, short-lived improvement.
In 2020, Zhou and colleagues looked at 10 clinical trials involving nearly 800 patients. They found that, overall, acupuncture eased tennis elbow pain better than fake acupuncture, standard medications, or steroid injections—at least in the short term. However, they noted that many of the existing trials weren’t of the highest quality, and they recommended bigger, more rigorous studies to be sure.
Read more about Acupuncture for Tennis Elbow
Dry Needling Research for Tennis Elbow
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials involving 979 patients found that dry needling offers significant short-term benefits for lateral epicondylitis. Within one week of treatment, dry needling reduced pain intensity by nearly one point on average and also produced meaningful improvements in elbow disability and grip strength. Importantly, techniques eliciting a local twitch response at trigger points were associated with the greatest pain relief. These results support incorporating dry needling as a safe, effective adjunct to conventional therapies for tennis elbow.
Read more about Dry Needling for Tennis Elbow
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does dry needling differ from acupuncture for tennis elbow?
Dry needling targets trigger points within the overused muscles to mechanically release tension, while acupuncture uses specific TCM points to modulate pain and reduce inflammation.Which muscles are most commonly involved in tennis elbow?
The extensor carpi radialis brevis and longus, as well as the supinator, are frequently implicated.How many sessions will I likely need to see improvement?
Many patients notice improvement after several sessions, though chronic cases may require a longer treatment course.Are there any side effects of these treatments?
When performed by a trained practitioner, both acupuncture and dry needling are generally safe, with minor side effects such as temporary soreness.Can this treatment be combined with physical therapy?
Yes, integrating these treatments with physical therapy can enhance overall outcomes and expedite recovery.
Ready to Take Control?
Are you ready to alleviate your tennis elbow and restore your mobility? At Morningside Acupuncture, our integrated approach combining acupuncture and dry needling targets the root causes of elbow pain.
Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward a pain-free, active life.
Book Your Appointment Now: https://www.morningsideacupuncturenyc.com/new-patients
Call or Text Us At: (917) 830-4440
Additional Resources & Next Steps
Learn More: Visit our Blog for further insights into our treatment approach.
What to Expect: During your initial consultation, we perform a comprehensive evaluation to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Patient Stories: Read testimonials from patients who have experienced lasting relief
Sources:
Molsberger A, Hille E. The analgesic effect of acupuncture in chronic tennis elbow pain. Br J Rheumatol. 1994 Dec;33(12):1162-5. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/33.12.1162. PMID: 8000747.
Zhou Y, Guo Y, Zhou R, Wu P, Liang F, Yang Z. Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Pain Res Manag. 2020 Mar 20;2020:8506591. doi: 10.1155/2020/8506591. Erratum in: Pain Res Manag. 2022 Feb 17;2022:9764940. doi: 10.1155/2022/9764940. PMID: 32318130; PMCID: PMC7114772.
Ma X, Qiao Y, Wang J, Xu A, Rong J. Therapeutic Effects of Dry Needling on Lateral Epicondylitis: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2024 Nov;105(11):2184-2197. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2024.02.713. Epub 2024 Mar 13. PMID: 38484834.
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