Elbow pain topic
Persistent pain on the inside of the elbow? Traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture and massage can cure "Golf ball elbow".
It's not just a problem for athletes—teachers, chefs, and office workers are also affected. Traditional Chinese medicine addresses the root cause of medial epicondylitis.
A dull ache on the inside of your elbow, making it uncomfortable to lift heavy objects, wring out a towel, or even hold a pen? This could be a warning sign of "ball elbow" (medial epicondylitis). If ignored, the pain will only become chronic and affect your daily life.
Schedule a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) assessment to find the root cause of your elbow pain.What is golf elbow? Who is most susceptible to it?
Ball elbow (medical name: medial epicondylitis) refers to inflammation and micro-tears at the tendon attachment point on the medial side of the elbow due to repetitive movements over a long period, resulting in persistent pain. Patients often present with:
- Clerical staff : Prolonged use of keyboards and mice causes continuous tension in the wrist flexor muscles.
- Teachers : Prolonged writing or holding a laser pointer involves repetitive wrist flexion.
- Chefs/Restaurant Industry : Frequently lifting heavy woks and wielding knives to cut vegetables
- Fitness enthusiasts : Improper pull-up or dumbbell posture, excessively straining the forearm flexor muscles.
- Golfers : The inside of the elbow is impacted during the swing (hence the name of this condition, but it is not the primary group affected).
Golf elbow vs. tennis elbow: How to tell the difference?
Both are overuse injuries of the elbow, but the locations of the pain points are exactly opposite:
| feature | Golf ball elbow (medial epicondylitis) | Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) |
|---|---|---|
| Pain point location | inside of the elbow | outer side of the elbow |
| Involving muscles | Forearm flexor muscles | Forearm extensor muscles |
| Typical action evoked | Flex your wrist and lift heavy objects | Extend your wrist and grip the object with your backhand. |
| Common patients | Clerk, teacher, chef | Office workers, athletes |
How does Traditional Chinese Medicine view "golf ball elbow"?
Traditional Chinese medicine classifies this condition under the category of "Bi syndrome," with the core pathogenesis being "poor circulation of Qi and blood." Long-term overwork leads to stagnation of Qi and blood in the local area, resulting in insufficient nourishment of the tendons and vessels. Coupled with Hong Kong's humid climate, "dampness" further hinders the flow of Qi and blood, exacerbating the pain.
💡 Traditional Chinese medicine believes that "dampness is heavy, turbid, and sticky," just like adding mud and sand to a clogged pipe. In humid weather, strain-related pain often worsens significantly, which is a manifestation of the TCM theory of "dampness causing disease."
Shangyitang Three-Step Treatment Plan
Step 1: Acupuncture directly targets the affected area, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis.
Based on the diagnosis, the doctor selected Shaohai, Xiaohai, Yinxi, and Ashi points, and used the "surround needling method" to promote local blood circulation, eliminate inflammation, loosen the adhesions of tendon tissue, and relieve pain from the root cause.
Step 2: Massage techniques to loosen the fascia.
For tension and adhesions in the forearm flexor muscles, deep massage is used to release the fascia, restore the normal elasticity of the tendons, and correct bad wrist habits to prevent recurrence.
Step 3: Apply traditional Chinese medicine externally for continuous repair.
In conjunction with topical Chinese herbal medicines that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis (such as Panax notoginseng, Angelica sinensis tail, and frankincense), the damaged tendon tissue is continuously repaired during treatment intervals, accelerating the overall recovery process. For patients with recurrent flare-ups, doctors will also prescribe personalized oral conditioning plans.
Daily maintenance: Five habits to prevent recurrence
- Take regular breaks: Every 30 minutes, put down your hands and do 5 wrist stretches.
- Keep warm: Apply a hot water bottle to the affected area for 15 minutes to promote blood circulation.
- Use topical medications with caution: When applying liniment or pain relief ointment, apply it gently and avoid rubbing vigorously (excessive friction will worsen the inflammation).
- Adjust your working posture: Keep your wrist in a neutral position when using tools and avoid prolonged flexion.
- Dietary therapy: Avoid spicy, greasy, and raw or cold foods to prevent aggravating dampness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mild, acute golf ball elbow may be relieved with adequate rest and cold compresses. However, if the pain persists for more than 2-4 weeks or recurs frequently, it indicates that it has entered a chronic inflammatory stage, which cannot be cured by rest alone. In this case, professional treatment should be sought to prevent it from developing into a long-term chronic problem that affects the elbow's mobility.
It varies from person to person. Generally speaking, patients in the acute phase (less than 3 months after onset) will see significant improvement after 4-6 treatments; chronic patients (more than 3 months after onset or with recurrent attacks) may require 8-12 or more treatments. Your doctor will provide a more accurate estimate based on your specific situation after the initial assessment.
In most cases, you can continue working, but please note the following: avoid repetitive movements that aggravate symptoms, use an elbow brace to reduce tendon strain, and avoid strenuous use of your elbows for 24 hours after treatment. Your doctor will provide specific activity recommendations based on your job.
The typical characteristics of golf elbow are: a distinct point of tenderness on the inside of the elbow (the side closer to the body), with pain worsening when the wrist is flexed or the forearm is pronated. If the tenderness is on the outside, it is more likely tennis elbow; if accompanied by numbness or weakness in the fingers, ulnar nerve compression should be ruled out. It is recommended to have a professional medical evaluation and diagnosis to develop the most suitable treatment plan.
It's time to say goodbye to elbow pain.
Don't let elbow pain silently erode your work ability and quality of life. Shangyitang's integrated therapy aims to accurately identify the root cause of your pain and provide targeted treatment, allowing you to regain flexible and pain-free elbows.
Schedule an elbow assessment now11th Floor, Yu Gang Building, 90 Jaffe Road
Wan Chai MTR Station Exit C
Telephone: 2736 7473
WhatsApp: 5427 3297
3rd Floor, Energy Development Building, 59 Parkes Street
Jordan MTR Station Exit C2
Telephone: 2736 7033
WhatsApp: 5571 0281
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Dr. Zhang Yong – Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner in Hong Kong
A graduate of the School of Traditional Chinese Medicine at Jinan University in Guangzhou, with over 40 years of clinical experience. Proficient in Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbal medicine, specializing in acupuncture, bone setting and spinal manipulation, and traumatic injuries. Studied under Foshan Wing Chun master Cen Neng and national treasure-level TCM professor Long Cenghua. Author of books including "The Complete Book of Pain Management." Founder of Shangyitang.