What is Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)? Causes, Symptoms, and Korean Medicine Treatment – A Gangbuk Korean Medicine Clinic Explains
Author: Director Lee Moon-young (Chief Director, Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic)
This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Services Law.
If the inside of your elbow feels heavy and painful, or you experience sharp pain whenever you grip something in your hand, you may suspect 'golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis).' This is a common condition that appears not only in people who play golf but also in those who use their hands and arms extensively in daily life. In this article, I will guide you step by step from the precise definition of golfer's elbow, its causes, how Korean medicine approaches it, to when you should seek treatment.
What Exactly is Golfer's Elbow?
Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) is a musculoskeletal disorder in which inflammation occurs in the tendon of the wrist flexor muscles attached to the protruding part of the inner elbow bone (medial epicondyle), causing pain. According to information from Seoul Asan Medical Center's Disease Encyclopedia, the key mechanism is damage caused when tendons and muscles extending from the inner elbow protrusion to the forearm are subjected to repeated stimulation.
Because of the name 'golfer's elbow,' it is easy to mistakenly think this is a condition only for golfers, but that is not actually the case. According to information from Seoul Asan Medical Center's Disease Encyclopedia, it can also occur in people who perform repetitive daily movements such as housework, office work, and cooking. Additionally, according to medical information from Healthtip, continuous strain is applied to the medial epicondyle tendons when movements of bending or rotating the wrist are frequently repeated, leading to ongoing inflammation.
Key Summary: Contrary to its name, golfer's elbow can develop even if you don't play golf. If you experience repeated inner elbow pain, it is important not to assume the cause based solely on the name and to receive an accurate diagnosis.
Why Does It Occur? — Examining Causes and Symptoms
The process of developing golfer's elbow generally follows this flow:
• Repetitive movement → Tendon micro-tears → Inflammatory response → Pain and functional deterioration
Because the area where the tendon attaches to bone has relatively poor blood flow, recovery is slow once damage occurs. According to clinical data, when repetitive strain accumulates in this area, degenerative changes can progress and lead to chronicity.
According to Seoul Asan Medical Center's Disease Encyclopedia, the incidence is highest in people in their 40s, and once it develops, it tends to recur frequently, causing continuous discomfort in daily life. This is why it commonly appears among housewives, office workers, chefs, and beauticians — occupational groups that use their hands and arms repetitively.
Key symptoms can be summarized as follows:
• Pain is felt when pressing on the protruding part of the inner elbow
• Pain worsens when twisting handles, lifting kettles, or shaking hands
• Pain radiates to the inner elbow when flexing the wrist
• In severe cases, numbness may extend toward the fingers
According to Healthtip Medical Information, if symptoms persist for 8 weeks or longer, the risk of chronicity increases, and it is known that early appropriate management improves the possibility of improvement. If pain repeats, rather than enduring it on your own, it is recommended to receive professional diagnosis at an early stage.
How Does Korean Medicine Approach It? — Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic's Treatment Method
Korean medicine does not view golfer's elbow merely as local inflammation but also examines reduced qi and blood circulation in the affected area and decreased tissue recovery capacity. Representative treatment methods used are as follows:
• Acupuncture: Stimulating acupoints promotes local blood circulation and regulates pain signals.
• High-concentration bee venom acupuncture: Utilizes the anti-inflammatory and blood circulation improvement effects of bee venom components. According to clinical data, bee venom acupuncture can be used to address both inflammation relief and tissue recovery. It is characterized by the absence of steroid components, which can reduce resistance concerns even with repeated procedures (prior consultation required depending on individual status).
• Chuna therapy: According to Korean Medical Association data, herbal acupuncture is utilized as a new Korean medicine medical technology that applies both needle stimulation and herbal medicine effects in combination. Chuna therapy simultaneously supports alignment and functional recovery of joints and muscles around the elbow.
Treatment proceeds by flexibly combining these three methods according to the patient's symptom stage and condition.
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic carefully examines each patient's individual condition and provides personalized treatment combining high-concentration bee venom acupuncture, acupuncture treatment, and skilled chuna therapy. Additionally, based on constitutional diagnosis grounded in 8-Constitution Medicine, the clinic provides guidance on lifestyle habits and dietary management that can reduce recurrence after treatment.
Caution is Needed for These People — Self-Check & Guidance for Nearby Areas
If you have items corresponding to the following, it is recommended to receive professional diagnosis rather than making your own judgment:
• ☑ Inner elbow pain has persisted for 8 weeks or longer
• ☑ Pain repeats with every daily movement such as twisting handles or lifting objects
• ☑ Distinct tenderness is felt when pressing the inner elbow with fingers
• ☑ Pain continues even at night or does not improve with rest
• ☑ Along with elbow pain, fingers or hands feel numb or sensation feels dull
• ☑ There is a pattern of symptoms improving and then repeatedly recurring
Especially when hand numbness or sensation abnormality is present, differentiation from golfer's elbow with 'cubital tunnel syndrome,' where the ulnar nerve is compressed at the inner elbow, is necessary. According to clinical data, these two conditions have overlapping symptoms, so professional diagnosis should take priority over self-judgment. Korean Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Society data also emphasizes that after pain recovery, recurrence prevention through stretching and strength-building exercises is important.
Those searching for Korean medicine clinics in the Suyu area, as well as Gangbuk residents, those concerned with elbow pain in Gangbuk-gu, and residents of nearby areas looking into Korean medicine treatment for joints in Dobong can conveniently visit.
If You're Curious About an Approach Right for You, Check Through a Consultation
Golfer's elbow is mentioned in Seoul Asan Medical Center's Disease Encyclopedia as a condition with high recurrence rates. This is why continued management alongside treatment is important. The earlier you approach it with care, the more it can help reduce chronicity.
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic provides treatment 365 days starting from 8 a.m., and you can conveniently schedule a consultation through Naver Reservations. You can easily make a reservation at your preferred time without phone calls, and evening appointments on weekdays are also available, so office workers can visit without time burden. You can receive treatment comfortably in a private individual treatment space, and you can use the large parking lot inside the adjacent Garden Tower (Dobong-ro 328) free of charge, so visiting by car is without inconvenience.
If inner elbow pain repeats, rather than enduring it alone, first confirm a direction suitable for your condition.
These Are Questions You Might Have
Q1. Can I receive a golfer's elbow diagnosis even though I don't play golf at all?
Yes, it is entirely possible. The name 'golfer's elbow' is derived from the golf swing motion, but in reality, it can occur in anyone who uses their hands and arms repetitively. Since it commonly appears in various occupational groups in daily life such as housewives, office workers, chefs, and beauticians, it is important to receive diagnosis based on symptoms rather than being bound by the name.
Q2. My inner elbow also feels numb—how do I distinguish golfer's elbow from other conditions?
If inner elbow pain is accompanied by hand numbness or sensation abnormality, you should suspect 'cubital tunnel syndrome,' where the ulnar nerve is compressed at the elbow, in addition to golfer's elbow. Since these two conditions have overlapping symptoms, self-judgment is difficult. If numbness symptoms are present, it is recommended to receive accurate differentiation through professional diagnosis.
Q3. What types of people is bee venom acupuncture suitable for? Are there side effects?
Bee venom acupuncture is a herbal acupuncture that utilizes bee venom components and is used with the purpose of alleviating inflammation around joints and improving blood circulation. It is characterized by the absence of steroid components, which can reduce resistance concerns with repeated procedures. However, those with bee venom allergies must have prior consultation and confirmation before the procedure, and suitability may vary depending on individual status, so it is safest to make a decision through an in-clinic consultation.
This content has been prepared in compliance with Article 56 of the Medical Services Law and Article 23 of the Enforcement Decree, and results may vary depending on individual condition.