Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis): TCM Acupuncture Points & Herbal Relief Guide

Dr. Li Wei, DACM

Golfer’s Elbow (Medial 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

Golfer’s elbow—medial epicondylitis—is pain on the inside of the elbow. It’s the opposite of tennis elbow (which is on the outside). It affects the tendons that attach the wrist flexor muscles to the bony bump on the inner elbow.

While less common than tennis elbow (about 10% as prevalent), golfer’s elbow can be just as painful and debilitating. It’s most common in athletes who do a lot of gripping or throwing—golfers, baseball players, bowlers—but also affects people with repetitive gripping tasks like using tools or carrying heavy items.

The good news: Like tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow responds well to TCM therapies and conservative care.

What’s Actually Happening?

From a Western perspective:

  • Flexor-pronator tendinopathy — overuse of the wrist flexor muscles

  • Microtearing — repetitive overload causes small tears

  • Medial epicondyle inflammation — the insertion point of the flexor tendons

Risk factors:

  • Repetitive wrist flexion and gripping (golf, baseball, bowling)

  • Poor technique

  • Sudden increase in activity

  • Inadequate recovery

From a TCM perspective:

Golfer’s elbow is seen as:

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

  • Qi-Blood Stagnation — overuse blocks the flow

  • Liver-Blood Deficiency — the Liver governs the tendons; deficiency leads to weak tendons

TCM Patterns

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

| :— | :— | :— | :— |

| Wind-Damp | Achy, diffuse pain on the inner elbow; worse in wet weather | External wind-damp invades the elbow | Dispel wind-damp, unblock meridians |

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

| Liver-Blood Deficiency | Chronic, dull ache; also weak grip; worse with overwork | Liver fails to nourish the tendons | Nourish Liver blood, strengthen tendons |

Acupuncture Points for Golfer’s Elbow

| Point | Location | Mechanism |

| :— | :— | :— |

| PC3 Shaohai | At the medial end of the elbow crease, when the elbow is bent | Treats inner elbow pain; on the Pericardium meridian |

| LU5 Chize | On the elbow crease, on the lateral side of the biceps tendon | On the Lung meridian; treats elbow and arm pain |

| HT3 Shaohai | On the medial side of the elbow crease, at the upper end of the ulna | On the Heart meridian; treats inner elbow pain |

| Ashi points | Tender spots on the inner elbow | Local points that promote healing |

Self-care move: Press PC3 Shaohai (end of elbow crease, inner side) and tender Ashi points for 2 minutes, 3-4 times daily. Combine with gentle wrist flexion stretches.

The Herbal Side: Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang

Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang is effective for golfer’s elbow, particularly with Qi-Blood deficiency patterns.

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

With your arm extended, hold a small weight (1-2 lbs). Using your other hand to assist, curl your wrist up, then slowly lower it (eccentric phase). Do 10 reps, 3 sets, daily.

2. Stretching

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

3. Compression

Wear a compression sleeve to support the elbow.

4. Activity Modification

Modify your technique to reduce stress on the inner elbow.

When to See a Professional

Seek medical evaluation if pain persists despite 6 weeks of self-care.

References

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

  2. 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.