Tennis Elbow

The principles of hot and cold therapy vary depending on the stage. Immediately after an acute injury or during the burning and swelling phase after use, ice packs (15-20 minutes, wrapped in a towel) help reduce pain and swelling. However, since the essence of chronic tennis elbow is tendon degeneration and a lack of blood flow rather than inflammation, hot packs improve the recovery environment by increasing blood flow at this stage. You can also combine them by warming the tissues with a hot pack before work and briefly applying a cold pack in the evening when pain flares up after heavy use. In either case, you must remember that hot compresses are a supplementary measure and cannot regenerate degenerated tendons on their own. From the perspective of a Korean medicine clinic, this is viewed through the lens of distinguishing between cold and hot natures. The principle is to treat swelling and burning sensations with cold, as they are in a state of heat, and to treat aching, heavy sensations that feel comfortable with warmth with heat, as they are in a cold state. Many patients with chronic tennis elbow show signs of energy and blood pooling in one spot due to the infiltration of cold and dampness, so they often feel better when warmed. For those with occupations that involve frequently handling cold water and ice, such as working in a café, keeping warm is even more important as cold energy tends to accumulate in the wrist and elbow areas. At Dongjedang, for chronic cases characterized by a cold tendency, we utilize acupuncture that elevates warm stimulation to the therapeutic level to dissipate deep-seated coldness and promote regeneration. Internally, we use constitutionally tailored herbal medicine that empties waste and excess fluid while supporting warm energy, thereby building a body where hands, feet, and joints do not easily become cold. While hot compresses are a small treatment performed at home, the treatment in the clinic involves deeply applying those principles.