Acupuncture Care For A Patient With Tennis Elbow (Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy): A Case Report

Abstract

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral elbow tendinopathy, is a disorder of the wrist extensor tendon that causes lateral elbow pain, reduced grip strength, and impaired arm function. This study aimed to describe the application of acupuncture care based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles and the clinical changes observed in a patient with tennis elbow. A descriptive clinical case study was conducted in a 38-year-old man with right-sided tennis elbow lasting approximately six weeks. The patient worked with prolonged computer use and played padel and tennis four to five times per week. Acupuncture care was delivered in six weekly sessions using 1-cun needles, lifting–thrusting stimulation, and 15 minutes of needle retention in the supine position. Points used included LI11, LI10, LI12, SJ10, Ashi point, LI4, SJ5, and ST36, with adjustments at each session. TCM assessment resulted in a diagnosis of Bi Zheng with Qi and Blood stagnation involving the Large Intestine and Sanjiao meridians. Pain intensity was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at the beginning and end of each session, arm function was evaluated using a researcher-developed assessment sheet adapted from the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) domains, and grip strength was measured using a hand grip dynamometer. After six sessions, NRS decreased from 7/10 to 3/10, the functional score decreased from 52/100 to 27/100, and right-hand grip strength increased from 22 kg to 27 kg. TCM-based acupuncture care was accompanied by clinical improvement in this patient, but the findings cannot be generalized as they involve a single patient without a comparison group.