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Acupuncture for Tendonitis Relief

Acupuncture for Tendonitis ReliefThe body is an amazing, resilient, natural machine capable of excelling beyond many physical challenges. Unfortunately, some of these challenges can take their toll on the human anatomy resulting in pain and immobility. One such challenge is tendonitis. Some of the many forms of tendonitis include: Achilles’ Tendonitis, Golfer’s Elbow, Iliotibial Band Tendonitis, Lateral Epicondylitis, Medial Epicondylitis, Peripatellar Tendonitis, Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, Tendinitis, Tennis Elbow.

These are all painful ailments, common enough for conventional medicine to serve a cocktail of synthetic pharmaceutical remedies that reap billions in profit each year. Such pharmaceuticals might include repeated doses of ibuprofen, powerful anti-inflammatories (cortisone), muscle relaxants or in some cases even surgery. Many people feel these are the only choices to deal with the pain and immobility of tendonitis, even though it often means a temporary fix with potential side effects.

Traditional treatment, on the other hand, such as acupuncture and naturopathic medicine, approach tendonitis through a variety of different channels without side effects. These are remedies that are capable of relieving acute pain as eel as able to target the root cause. In many cases, the root cause can be way beyond what the patient, and moreover conventional practitioners, could ever fathom.

Acupuncture for tendonitis relief gives sufferers a more natural healing choice.

Opening Energy Channels
Acupuncture approaches ailments by attempting to open stuck or sluggish energy channels. It does this by the acupuncturist looking for various clues on the patient (i.e., pulse stagnation, tongue color, eye clearness, skin presentations, diet, sleep, and various other physical or even mental manifestations that may not cause any concern to the patient or their conventional doctor). These clues determine which channels (meridians) should be targeted with acupuncture treatment. According to the University Maryland Medical Center, “In the case of tendonitis, it is believed to be associated with a deficiency in the liver meridian along with excess in the gallbladder meridian.”This is a perfect example of the Yin and Yang (the balance of life) showing imbalance that needs to be righted. Similar to rocks impeding a flowing river, it is believed in Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) that if these “rocks”(stuck energy) are removed, the “river”(healthy energy) can flow freely. Sometimes all it takes is a few weeks of acupuncture sessions to rid the body of tendonitis.

Tendonitis Acupuncture Studies
The NYU Langone Medical Center cites 12 studies of acupuncture used to treat lateral epicondylitis aka tennis elbow and rotator cuff injury.

One study was “a placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 45 people with tennis elbow [which] compared the effectiveness of real and sham acupuncture given twice weekly for 10 weeks. The results showed significant improvement in pain intensity and ability to use the elbow among those who received real acupuncture.”

“A trial of 52 people with rotator cuff (shoulder) tendonitis found acupuncture more effective than sham acupuncture. In addition, a study compared superficial to deep-insertion acupuncture in 44 participants with shoulder pain and also found relative benefits, which lasted for at least 3 months.”

“In 2010, The European Journal of Applied Physiological Medicine reported that a study of acupuncture on Achilles tendon injuries had concluded that there was significant therapeutic benefit. The research revealed that the acupuncture increased the blood volume and oxygen saturation to the Achilles tendon which lasted well over 30 minutes after the treatment ceased. One of the anatomical features of the Achilles tendon is that it naturally has very poor blood supply and this is the exact reason why Achilles tendonitis can take so long to heal.”(Acupuncture Clinic, New Zealand)

How Acupuncture May be Used on Your Tendonitis
Acupuncture uses needles not much larger than a human hair. When most people hear the word ‘needle’they immediately associate it with pain. Because of the tiny width of these needles their insertion is mostly painless. That is not to say that some insertions may present a tiny pinch or nerve-like twinge but overall it is an easy, often meditative, experience.

As previously mentioned, the liver and the gall bladder are believed to be major players in the presentation of tendonitis. The liver is presumed deficient in energy and the gall bladder in excess. A major meridian point is GB (gallbladder) 34. It is located about four fingers below the lateral (outside) knee and is called Yanglingquan (English translation: Yang Hill Spring), a location associated with tendons, sinews and overall musculoskeletal mechanics. As the acupuncturist works this point, the excess energy that may be responsible for contributing to tendonitis, dissipates. This, in turn, allows the liver meridian to fill with the much needed energy that the gallbladder was harnessing.

Here are some tips before attending your first acupuncture treatment for tendonitis:

  • Avoid sexual activity.
  • Avoid muscle exertion.
  • Do not eat a heavy meal.
  • Try to clear your mind.
  • Wear comfortable clothes.
  • Assemble detailed notes of your tendonitis symptoms.

Additional Therapy
In addition to acupuncture, a naturopathic doctor can offer a variety of other remedies to assist in your tendonitis. These may include implementing supplements to create a natural anti-inflammatory reaction such as bromelain, turmeric, calcium and vitamin C, A and E as well as homeopathy, clinical nutrition and botanical medicine. At Integrative Med Solutions, we will design an acupuncture and naturopathic treatment program that works for you. In many cases, insurance covers portions of the acupuncture treatment. Allow us to support you to achieve optimal health. To make an appointment or find out more about how acupuncture and naturopathic medicine can benefit you, please call our office at 914.337.2980 or CLICK HERE to schedule an online appointment.

*Please CLICK HERE to see a current list of In-Network Insurance Companies for Acupuncture that we participate with as well as insurance companies that commonly have Out-of-Network benefits. Please call 914.337.2980 or contact us here to verify your specific benefits. If you are emailing, please include your full name, date of birth and insurance identification card number.