Acupotomy Treatment for Golf Elbow and Elbow Pain Relief

Hello, this is Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic, where kind hearts reside.

Hello, this is Dr. Chae from Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic. The weather is getting warmer, and golf is becoming increasingly popular, isn’t it? Many people enjoy it because it’s good for exercise and stress relief.

However, some people often complain of elbow pain while playing golf. This is due to golf elbow (medial epicondylitis). Today, we will learn about golf elbow and explore effective treatment methods.

The Most Frequent Question from Patients One of them is, “How is golf elbow treated?” So today, I will explain in simple terms why golf elbow occurs, what kind of treatment is needed, and why acupotomy, a Korean medicine treatment, is effective. Furthermore, many people travel from far away to our Korean medicine clinic for acupotomy treatment, which has spread by word of mouth.

However, some people occasionally ask, “Does Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic only offer acupotomy treatment?” So today, I will also inform you about the other treatments available at Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic.

What is golf elbow? Why does it occur?

Golf elbow is a condition where inflammation develops in the tendons on the inside of the elbow.

Golf elbow (medial epicondylitis) is a condition where inflammation occurs due to repetitive stress on the medial tendons of the elbow. It is common among golf players and those in professions that involve extensive arm use, presenting symptoms such as medial elbow pain, tenderness, and muscle weakness. It is particularly characterized by increased pain when pressing on the elbow or bending the wrist.

During a golf swing, repetitive wrist use places continuous strain on the tendons connecting the wrist and elbow. If this process is repeated, the tendons can be damaged, leading to inflammation. *In the early stages, proper rest and treatment can lead to recovery, but *if overuse continues or steroid injections are misused, the tissue gradually hardens, *eventually losing elasticity and reducing range of motion, which can lead to chronic pain.

Particularly, if repetitive impact is applied to damaged tendons, the tissue cannot recover properly, and fibrosis progresses. This repeated damage and inflammation can cause soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, and nerves to stick together during the healing process, which is called adhesion. In such cases, recovery is difficult with simple inflammation treatment alone, requiring more specialized treatment.

This is precisely why acupotomy is effective.

Golf Elbow: How to manage it in the early stages?

If golf elbow has recently occurred (within 1-2 weeks, acute phase), – Rest & Stretching – Avoid overuse and perform light stretching – Anti-inflammatory treatment – Utilize herbal medicine, acupuncture, thermal therapy, etc., to alleviate inflammation – Strength training – Strengthen muscles that protect the wrist and elbow With this management, recovery can be relatively easy.

However, if chronic golf elbow persists for more than 3 months, simple anti-inflammatory treatment alone is unlikely to be effective. At this stage, treatment that directly releases fibrotic tissue is necessary.

Acupotomy – for adhered tissues Specialized treatment to release adhered tissues

acupotomy directly breaks down adhered tissues and aids in the recovery of damaged tissues. Unlike regular acupuncture needles, acupotomy needles are designed with a flat, elongated tip, effectively releasing adhesions between muscles and tendons. As a treatment combining acupuncture and surgery, it meticulously dissects tangled soft tissues, promoting blood circulation and activating regenerative responses in the tissue.

1. Micro-dissection of fibrotic tissue – gently loosens hardened tissue 2. Adhesion release – resolves issues where tendons and muscles are entangled, reducing range of motion 3. Improved blood flow – promotes blood circulation in damaged tissue, increasing regeneration speed

4. Inflammation and pain relief – fundamentally resolves chronic inflammation Acupotomy treatment creates an environment where damaged tissues can recover normally.

What treatments does Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic offer?

At Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic, we accurately assess each patient’s condition and provide personalized treatment.

* General Acupuncture (Hohchim) – stimulates muscles and acupoints to improve blood flow and relieve pain * Acupotomy – directly removes fibrotic tissue to resolve chronic pain * Pharmacopuncture – treats inflammation and promotes tissue regeneration using herbal medicine ingredients * Herbal Medicine – aids recovery after treatment and promotes tissue regeneration Not all patients receive acupotomy treatment.

Through consultation tailored to the patient’s condition we determine the optimal treatment method. Enjoy golf even more, without elbow pain! We will help you swing freely with healthy arms. If you have any questions or need treatment consultation, please contact us anytime!

We hope you will join Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic, which shares valuable information for a healthy life. Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic in Suji-gu pursues evidence-based medicine and integrative medicine.

This post was written directly by the medical staff of Sunyujae Korean Medicine Clinic to provide medical information, in compliance with Article 56(2) and Article 57(3) of the Medical Service Act. The duration and outcome of treatment may vary from person to person, so please consult a qualified practitioner before beginning treatment.