Whether you’re swinging a golf club or serving up aces on the tennis court, elbow pain can quickly take the fun out of your game. If your elbow’s barking every time you grip, lift, or swing, you might be dealing with golfer’s elbow or tennis elbow—two annoying conditions caused by overworked muscles and tendons.

But here’s a secret weapon that’s been helping athletes bounce back faster: acupuncture. Yes, those tiny little needles might be the big win your elbow’s been waiting for.

What’s the Difference?

• Tennis Elbow (lateral epicondylitis): Pain on the outside of the elbow.
• Golfer’s Elbow (medial epicondylitis): Pain on the inside of the elbow.

Both are caused by repetitive motion and too much strain—basically, your elbow saying, “Hey, take a break!”

How Acupuncture Helps

Acupuncture works by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and triggering your body’s natural healing superpowers. One study found that acupuncture was just as effective (and sometimes even better) than steroid injections for tennis elbow (Liu et al., 2002). Another showed improvements in grip strength and pain levels after just a few treatments (Haker & Lundeberg, 1990).

Researchers also found acupuncture helps reduce pain signals by releasing endorphins—your body’s natural painkillers (Han, 2004). Plus, it can help relax tight muscles and improve joint mobility (Ural & Öztürk, 2017).

Who’s on Team Acupuncture?

Novak Djokovic has praised acupuncture for helping him recover from injuries and keep his body balanced.

Tiger Woods is known for using acupuncture as part of his recovery routine.

And tennis queen Serena Williams has used acupuncture during her career to manage pain and boost recovery.

If these champs trust it to keep their swing strong, maybe it’s worth a shot (pun intended)!

Serve Up Some Healing

A study published in Pain Medicine found that acupuncture helped reduce pain and improve function in patients with chronic elbow issues—even when other treatments failed (Trinh et al., 2006). The best part? It’s low-risk, drug-free, and you get to lie down and relax while your body does the healing.

Have you tried acupuncture yet?

So if your elbow’s holding you back on the court or course, don’t give up the game—just give acupuncture a try! Your elbow (and your backhand) will thank you.

References

• Liu, Y. et al. (2002). Acupuncture for lateral epicondylitis. Clinical Journal of Pain, 18(3), 164–167.
• Haker, E., & Lundeberg, T. (1990). Acupuncture treatment of tennis elbow. Pain, 43(3), 243–249.
• Han, J. S. (2004). Acupuncture and endorphins. Neuroscience Letters, 361(1–3), 258–261.
• Ural, F. G., & Öztürk, G. T. (2017). The effect of acupuncture on elbow tendinopathy. Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, 30(2), 345–350.
• Trinh, K. V. et al. (2006). Acupuncture for lateral epicondylitis: a systematic review. Pain Medicine, 7(6), 627–636.