Golfer's Elbow

Golf elbow (medial epicondylitis) is a condition characterized by the accumulation of repetitive micro-injuries at the origins of the tendons of the flexor muscles and the teres teres muscle, which attach to the medial epicondyle of the elbow. The primary mechanisms involve the impact at the moment of impact during a golf swing, as well as repeated wrist flexion and forearm pronation; the core pathology is degenerative changes (tendinosis) without neovascularization within the tissue. Pain occurs directly below the medial epicondyle and may be accompanied by decreased grip strength, radiating pain on the medial forearm, and numbness in the 4th and 5th fingers. In Korean medicine, tendon damage on the inside of the elbow is deeply linked to a deficiency in the flow of blood that nourishes the tendons and fascia. When Qi circulation is blocked due to overwork or stress, nutrients do not reach the muscles and tendons sufficiently, leading to the accumulation of micro-tears. Furthermore, if digestive and absorptive functions weaken, the recovery capacity of the arm muscles decreases, and waste products stagnate around the joints, resulting in persistent pain. At Dongjedang, we approach treatment by opening blocked Qi and blood flow through acupuncture stimulation and restoring local blood circulation by directly separating adhered tendons using fine needles. Through treatment that nourishes the tendons and releases stagnant blood, our goal is not merely to suppress pain, but to create an environment where the tendons can regenerate on their own.