Acupuncture for Inflammatory Joints
There are common conditions that cause inflamed and painful joints that are not caused by kinds of arthritis. These are conditions such as kinds of tendonitis like lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), medial tendonitis (golfer’s elbow), and others. Others could be conditions such as bursitis, which while impacting the joints, has less to do with our tendons or muscles.
These conditions have the potential to cause significant discomfort or pain and can keep those who live with them from participating in their favorite activities or even functioning well in their day-to-day life. Acupuncture may be an effective tool in managing and treating inflammation and relieving pain.
Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow) & Medial Tendonitis (Golfer’s or Baseball Elbow)
Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, is a condition that causes inflammation and swelling in the tendons of the arm often from repetitive use. Folks with tennis elbow may experience burning, aching, or other kinds of pain. As tennis elbow worsens, the pain may spread down the arm and be painful even when resting.
Medial tendonitis, also called medial epicondylitis and golfer’s or baseball elbow, can cause pain that can go from the elbow to the wrist on the inside of the arm caused by tendon damage. It’s typically caused by overuse. While similar to lateral epicondylitis, the conditions differ based on the cause and location of pain.
One article showed positive benefits on chronic epicondylitis, meaning both tennis and golfer’s elbow. They found that compared to controls, acupuncture resulted in, “reduction in pain and improvement in the functioning of the arm.”
Data shows acupuncture can be incredibly effective to lessen inflammation and relieve pain. A 2020 article analyzing data from several studies found positive effects. The researchers state, “Many studies have proven the efficacy of acupuncture for pain, including lateral epicondylitis, and patients with LE were satisfied with acupuncture treatment, in terms of pain relief and improved dysfunction of the forearm, without adverse events.”
One article reviewed several more trials and studies. After aggregating and analyzing the data from these previous studies, they found that, “…there is strong evidence suggesting that acupuncture is effective in short-term pain relief for lateral epicondyle pain.”
Another analysis looked at ten controlled trials of acupuncture for tennis elbow. They found that, “…acupuncture therapy might be more effective than drugs and blocking therapy,” when treating tennis and golfer’s elbow.
Data supports the ability of acupuncture to help treat swelling, inflammation, and pain, and research suggests that tennis elbow may be no different. Research suggests, in increasingly consistent ways, that acupuncture could be an effective tool to help relieve the pain of tennis elbow and help get you back to the activities you enjoy with significantly less pain.
Bursitis
Bursitis is a usually temporary condition caused most frequently by injury or overuse that impacts the bursa, or the small sacs that provide “a cushion and gliding surface to reduce friction between tissues of the body.” Bursitis can often impact out Achilles tendon, hips, elbows, shoulders, and knees.
Acupuncture may be able to help treat and ease the symptoms and pain of different kinds of bursitis. Research generally suggests that acupuncture is a safe, effective treatment for myriad types of chronic pain and inflammation. But when it comes specifically to bursitis, as one article points out, “Acupuncture has been used to treat this type of medical problem in China for over 3000 years.”
That same article outlines the success in some Western studies supporting acupuncture’s ability to treat and lessen pain from soft tissue conditions such as bursitis. It reads, “It was concluded that real acupuncture provides a significant improvement, concerning the degree of analgesia achieved, the reduction in the quantity of analgesics required, increased mobility and patient satisfaction…”
Another study claims, “Acupuncture as a treatment for shoulder bursitis can effectively relieve the pain, ease the stiffness and improve the physical function of the shoulder.”
Like with many other conditions that can cause pain and inflammation, data suggests that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for bursitis.
Summary
As with several other inflammatory conditions that can cause pain, acupuncture can help significantly reduce inflammation and pain in inflammatory joint conditions such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and bursitis. Our providers are skilled and experienced in treating these particular conditions, and even have specific training in sports medicine to help pinpoint the source of your pain and help get you back to the activities you love.
If you experience one or more of these inflammatory joint conditions, we believe that acupuncture may be able to help. For more information and/or for help scheduling and appointment, reach out to our offices at info@loveacu.net or call us at (503) 343 9851. We would be delighted to help get you back on the road to wellness.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Do not wait for an appointment with us. We are happy to help with chronic pain; however, we are not equipped for or specialized in urgent or emergent care.
For Further Reading:
“Acupuncture for lateral epicondylitis,” Medicine, Vol. 99 Issue 37; Kim, Goo, & Nam, 2020.
“Acupuncture for the alleviation of lateral epicondyle pain,” Rheumatology; Trinh et al., 2004.
“Acupuncture in chronic epicondylitis,” Rheumatology (Oxford), Vol. 41 Issue 2; Fink et al., 2002.
“Bursitis,” Johns Hopkins Medicine.
“Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow),” Johns Hopkins Medicine.
“Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s and Baseball Elbow),” Johns Hopkins Medicine.