Acupuncture Care for Elbow Pain

Acupuncturist Chapel Hill, NC

Dr. Lisa Oskardmay uses acupuncture to help patients suffering from elbow pain stimulate specific body points to reduce tension, improve regional blood flow, and resolve inflammation in the elbow and surrounding areas. Acupuncture is a time-tested, drug-free healing remedy for conditions such as: golfers’ elbow (medial epicondylitis), tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), and general joint arthritis.

Licensed Acupuncturists such as Dr. Lisa use several different methods to treat elbow pain, including:

• Traditional Needle Insertion: Fine, sterile needles are inserted into targeted acupuncture points on the arm and along relevant energy pathways (channels or meridians). This triggers the nervous system to release natural pain-relieving chemicals, such as endorphins and enkephalins, directly into the body.
• Local and Distal Point Stimulation: Acupuncturists place needles directly around the painful areas of the elbow (local points) to increase microcirculation and accelerate tissue healing. They also place needles on the hands, legs, or feet (distal points) to regulate overall pain pathways and address constitutional imbalances. Some of the channels passing through the elbow region include the metal channel corresponding to the lungs and large intestine, and the fire channel corresponding to the heart and small intestine. Congestion anywhere along a channel may have implications elsewhere in the body; for this reason, acupuncture is considered a holistic treatment and part of a preventive medicine program.
• Electroacupuncture: A mild electrical current is passed through the acupuncture needles to provide continuous stimulation while allowing the patient to relax. This variation is highly effective for chronic tendonitis because it relaxes deeply knotted muscles, disrupts chronic pain loops, and enhances local cellular repair.
• Ashi Points Stimulation (AKA: PTs and other non-licensed practitioners utilizing acupuncture needles call this DNT or Dry Needling Technique): Many acupuncturists target precise hypersensitive bands within the forearm muscles, known as trigger points or “Ashi” points. Needling these spots relieves muscle spasms, immediately reducing structural tension on the overworked elbow tendons. Resolving stagnation along the arm and elbow region helps the elbow and the full body.
• Complementary Therapies: At our clinic, Dr. Oskardmay may use additional therapies such as thumper massage of the neck and back, gua sha scraping massage of the arm, elbow, and shoulder regions, and cupping therapy on the back and arm areas to relieve tension. Additionally, as a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic, she may recommend an Activator Spinal Adjustment to resolve vertebral imbalances in the upper back and neck that often accompany upper-extremity pain.

If you or a loved one suffers from elbow pain, contact our office today to see how acupuncture can help. Located in Chapel Hill, just across from Wegmans off 1-40, we’re conveniently here to help you start feeling better. We participate with most major insurance plans and offer accessible parking and tables for your convenience. (919) 929-1400, acudocnc.com.