Tennis Elbow

The formal name for tennis elbow is lateral epicondylitis. It is a degenerative change in the wrist extensor tendons that attach to the protruding bone on the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle), specifically at the origin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). While it was previously viewed as inflammation, recent studies understand it as tendinosis resulting from the accumulation of micro-tears caused by repetitive use and incomplete healing. Repetitive movements such as bending the wrist upward or gripping and twisting objects cause micro-damage to accumulate in the tendons. As the recovery rate fails to keep up with the rate of damage, pain becomes chronic. This is why it is much more common among housewives, cooks, hairdressers, and computer workers who have never held a racket. From the Perspective of a Korean Medicine Clinic: In Korean medicine, this is viewed as a state where muscles and tendons are weakened due to a lack of proper nourishment from Qi and blood. Since the liver governs tendon health, the liver's blood must be sufficiently nourished for tendons to remain strong. Additionally, the digestive and absorptive functions of the spleen support muscle recovery. If liver blood is depleted and spleen function declines due to housework and overwork, tendons fail to recover even with the same tasks, leading to accumulated damage. Pain is more pronounced on the outer side of the elbow, as this area is prone to blockages in Qi and blood. At Dongjedang, we do not focus solely on the painful elbow; instead, we use ultrasound to assess the extent of tendon damage. We concentrate on releasing adhesions and strengthening ligaments through external treatments such as acupuncture and moxibustion, while simultaneously clearing accumulated blood stasis and dampness from the body to restore a nourishment for the tendons. To prevent recurrence, local treatment and systemic recovery must go hand in hand.