Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): TCM Acupuncture Points & Herbal Relief Guide

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): TCM Acupuncture Points & Herbal Relief Guide

Updated: June 22, 2026

Reviewed by: Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Reading Time: 7 min

Body Area: Arm

Overview

Despite its name, tennis elbow affects far more non-tennis players than tennis players. It’s a tendinopathy—inflammation and microtears—of the tendon that attaches to the bony bump on the outside of your elbow (the lateral epicondyle). Affecting 1-3% of the population, it’s most common in people aged 30-50.

The affected tendon is the extensor carpi radialis brevis—it’s the one that helps you extend your wrist. When you repeatedly extend your wrist against resistance (screwdriving, painting, typing, lifting), you stress this tendon. Over time, it breaks down, and the body can’t keep up with repairs.

The good news: Tennis elbow responds well to TCM therapies and conservative care. About 80-90% of cases improve without surgery.

What’s Actually Happening?

From a Western perspective:

  • Tendinosis — degenerative changes in the tendon, not inflammation (most cases)

  • Microtearing — repetitive overload causes small tears

  • Neovascularization — new blood vessels form, contributing to pain

  • Collagen disorganization — the tendon loses its normal structure

Risk factors:

  • Repetitive wrist extension (screwdriver, typing, painting)

  • Poor ergonomics

  • Sudden increase in activity

  • Overuse without adequate recovery

From a TCM perspective:

Tennis elbow is seen as:

  • Wind-Damp Bi — external wind and damp invade the elbow meridian

  • Qi-Blood Stagnation — overuse blocks the flow in the elbow area

  • Spleen Deficiency — the Spleen governs the muscles; weakness leads to poor muscle recovery

TCM Patterns

| TCM Pattern | Key Features | Mechanism | Treatment Principle |

| :— | :— | :— | :— |

| Wind-Damp | Achy, diffuse pain; worse in wet weather; feels better with warmth | External wind-damp invades the elbow | Dispel wind-damp, unblock meridians |

| Qi-Blood Stagnation | Sharp, localized pain; tender point on the outside of the elbow | Overuse blocks Qi and blood flow | Invigorate blood, promote Qi flow |

| Spleen Deficiency | Chronic, dull ache; fatigue; poor muscle recovery | Spleen Qi too weak to nourish muscles | Strengthen Spleen, supplement Qi |

Acupuncture Points for Tennis Elbow

| Point | Location | Mechanism |

| :— | :— | :— |

| LI11 Quchi | At the lateral end of the elbow crease, when the elbow is bent | The “master point” for the Large Intestine meridian; treats elbow pain and tennis elbow; promotes blood circulation |

| LI10 Shousanli | About 2 cun below LI11, on the forearm | A supportive point for elbow pain; works with LI11 |

| Ashi points | Tender spots on the elbow | Local points that promote healing and reduce pain |

Self-care move: Press LI11 Quchi and the tender Ashi points on the elbow for 2 minutes, 3-4 times daily. Do gentle wrist extension stretches immediately after.

The Herbal Side: Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang

Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang is effective for tennis elbow, particularly when there’s a Qi-Blood deficiency component.

Key ingredients:

| Herb | Action |

| :— | :— |

| Huang Qi (Astragalus) | Boosts Qi, improves blood flow to the elbow |

| Gui Zhi (Cinnamon twig) | Warms meridians, promotes blood flow |

| Bai Shao (Paeonia) | Nourishes blood, relaxes muscles |

| Gan Cao (Licorice) | Harmonizes, relieves pain |

| Sheng Jiang (Fresh ginger) | Warms meridians, disperses cold |

Dosage: Typically 5-9g as decoction twice daily, or 4-6g as granules.

Simple Self-Care That Works

1. Eccentric Exercises

The most effective exercise for tennis elbow: With your arm extended, palm facing down, hold a small weight (1-2 lbs). Slowly lower your wrist—this is the eccentric phase. Use your other hand to lift the weight back up. Do 10 reps, 3 sets, daily.

2. Counterforce Brace

Wear a counterforce brace (a strap just below the elbow) during activities. It changes the mechanical leverage point and reduces stress on the tendon.

3. Ice Massage

Freeze water in a small cup. Gently massage the tender area for 5-10 minutes, 2-3 times daily. This reduces local inflammation.

4. Avoid Gripping

Avoid tight gripping (like gripping a hammer or racquet). Use tools with larger handles to reduce stress on the tendon.

5. Stretching

Extend your arm, palm facing down. Use your other hand to gently bend your wrist down, feeling a stretch in the top of the forearm.

When to See a Professional

Seek medical evaluation if:

  • Pain persists despite 6 weeks of self-care

  • You have significant weakness (can’t hold a glass of water)

  • Pain is associated with loss of range of motion

  • You have numbness or tingling (possible nerve involvement)

References

  1. Bisset, L., et al. (2006). Acupuncture for tennis elbow. BMJ, 333(7575), 939.

  2. Vas, J., et al. (2001). TCM for epicondylitis. British Journal of General Practice, 51(471), 815-816.

  3. Vickers, A. J., et al. (2012). Acupuncture for chronic pain. Archives of Internal Medicine, 172(19), 1444-1453.

  4. WHO. (2023). Musculoskeletal pain. World Health Organization.

Explore More

  • Find your solution at MendGod.com – Personalized herbal protocols and acupressure tools for elbow pain relief.

  • Deepen your knowledge at TcmCIO.com – Full research papers and clinical case studies on TCM tendon health.