Brochures

Sports Injuries & Tendonitis

Overview

Overuse and repetitive-strain injuries are among the most common reasons weekend athletes and everyday patients end up sidelined. Two of the most frequent are lateral or medial epicondylitis — better known as tennis elbow and golfer's elbow — and plantar fasciitis, a leading cause of heel pain that the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons estimates affects about 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives.

Symptoms

Golfer's and tennis elbow cause pain and tenderness where the forearm tendons attach at the elbow, often worsened by gripping, swinging, or lifting — golfer's elbow on the inner side of the elbow, tennis elbow on the outer side. Plantar fasciitis typically produces a sharp, stabbing pain at the bottom of the heel that is worst with the first steps in the morning or after periods of rest, easing somewhat with movement but returning after standing or activity.

The TCM View

Traditional Chinese Medicine views these repetitive-strain injuries as local obstruction of Qi and Blood at the affected tendon or fascia — a form of Bi syndrome brought on by overuse, and often aggravated by invasion of Cold or Dampness into the tissue. Because circulation to tendons and fascia is naturally limited compared to muscle, these areas are slow to heal on their own, which is why symptoms can drag on for months without targeted treatment.

Research on Acupuncture for Sports Injuries

Reviews of randomized controlled trials on acupuncture for lateral elbow pain, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, have found short-term reductions in pain compared with sham treatment, though the reviewers note that many trials were small and call for larger studies to confirm how long the benefit lasts. Separately, systematic reviews and meta-analyses published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research have found acupuncture reduces pain scores in patients with plantar fasciitis compared with usual care, with several studies reporting improvement within a few weeks of starting treatment.

How We Treat Sports Injuries at Dragon Phoenix

At Dragon Phoenix Acupuncture, treatment targets the affected tendon or fascia directly with local and electroacupuncture to reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue repair, combined with Tuina massage to release surrounding muscle tension that adds strain to the injured area. Cupping or moxibustion may be added, and patients are also given simple stretching and activity-modification guidance to prevent re-injury.

What to Expect

Because these are overuse injuries that built up over time, most patients need a course of 6–10 sessions before seeing lasting improvement, though many notice reduced pain with grip or first-step heel pain within the first few visits. Continuing to aggravate the tendon or fascia between sessions can slow progress, so patients are asked to follow the activity guidance given alongside treatment.

Acupuncture vs. Cortisone Injections for Plantar Fasciitis

For plantar fasciitis in particular, patients often ask how acupuncture compares to a cortisone (corticosteroid) injection, a common conventional treatment for stubborn heel pain. Here is how the two generally compare.

Acupuncture

Low risk to the tissue — does not carry a known risk of fascia rupture
Benefit typically builds gradually over a course of sessions
Can be repeated regularly without a known cumulative tissue risk
Often combined with stretching and activity-modification guidance as part of a broader recovery plan

Cortisone (Corticosteroid) Injection

Often provides fast, short-term relief, sometimes within days
Carries a well-documented risk of plantar fascia rupture and fat pad atrophy with repeated use, noted in orthopedic and podiatric literature
Relief frequently fades within weeks to a few months, and physicians typically limit how often it can be repeated
An in-office procedure performed by a physician, not offered at Dragon Phoenix Acupuncture

Cortisone injections are administered by a physician, not at Dragon Phoenix Acupuncture — some patients use the two approaches at different points in their recovery. If your pain is severe or not improving, it's worth discussing both options with a podiatrist or physician alongside acupuncture.

Common Questions About Treating Sports Injuries

Does acupuncture hurt for foot or heel pain?

Acupuncture needles are extremely thin, and most patients describe the sensation as mild — a slight pinch, tingling, or heaviness rather than pain. Points around the heel are chosen carefully for comfort, and most patients find the treatment relaxing rather than painful.

Is a cortisone injection or acupuncture better for plantar fasciitis?

Cortisone often relieves pain faster, but carries a documented risk of fascia rupture and fat pad atrophy with repeated use, and its benefit tends to fade within weeks to months. Acupuncture works more gradually and can be repeated without that known tissue risk. Many patients find one approach fits their situation better than the other — it's worth discussing both with your provider.

Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS); Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, acupuncture for lateral elbow pain; systematic reviews and meta-analyses on acupuncture for plantar fasciitis published in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research; orthopedic and podiatric literature on corticosteroid injection risks, including plantar fascia rupture and fat pad atrophy.