Golfer's Elbow

Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) occurs due to repetitive overload of the tendons of the elbow's medial flexor group, regardless of specific sports. If repetitive movements that bend or twist the wrist inward—such as chopping, mopping, or typing—continue, micro-damage accumulates at the tendon's origin. If pain is reproduced when pressing directly on the medial epicondyle, and worsens when resistance is applied during wrist flexion or forearm pronation, it is highly likely to be golfer's elbow. From a Korean medicine perspective, medial elbow pain caused by household labor is viewed as a complex condition involving weakness in digestive and absorptive functions combined with a deficiency of liver blood. In women past middle age, a general deficiency of Qi and blood leads to reduced elasticity in muscles and tendons, making them susceptible to accumulated damage from even minor repetitive stimuli. When wind, cold, or dampness invade the meridians, Qi and blood circulation becomes blocked, causing pain to become entrenched and recovery to slow down. At Dongjedang, treatment focuses on resolving meridian stagnation using acupuncture and pharmacopuncture, and restoring digestive and liver functions with herbal medicine tailored to the individual's constitution to enhance the tendon's regenerative capacity.