Tennis elbow acupressure point

tennis elbowAcupressure point for tennis elbow

Tennis elbow will require more than just one acupressure point for complete healing. However, there is a key acupressure point for tennis elbow that you should know.

Large Intestine 11 for tennis elbow

Large Intestine 11 (LI 11) is located right where much of the pain from tennis elbow is felt.  LI 11 is used for local pain and to clear heat throughout the whole body. Acute tennis elbow is inflamed, hot, and painful – making LI 11 a perfect acupressure point for treating this condition.

How to relieve tennis elbow using acupressure point LI 11

Locate LI 11 by first bending the elbow.
LI 11 is on the outer tip of the elbow crease as shown below:

tennis elbow

Large Intestine 11 is located on both arms


Apply gentle pressure at first, and never use so much pressure that you increase the pain. Now that you have contact with the point, apply circular massage to the point. As you massage LI 11, increase and decrease your pressure as needed to avoid pain while moving the energy through the area.

Origin of tennis elbow pain

The pain of tennis elbow arises from Qi (“chee”) that is stuck in the area.
Qi or energy, can get backed up in areas of over use, such as the elbow in this case. One result of stuck Qi is pain and inflammation. As you massage this point, allow yourself to wonder how to get the Qi moving again – this will inspire small adjustments in pressure and movement.
Massage the point for 15 – 30 seconds, then massage the whole forearm down to the hand. Massage the first finger as this is where the Large Intestine meridian begins. By massaging the first finger, you encourage the Qi to move throughout the whole meridian. Once that Qi is moving again, the pain and inflammation decrease.
Vary your massage between the forearm, first finger, and LI 11. Pause, notice the results, and keep experimenting until you find just the right amount of pressure and massage to soothe this particular person experiencing pain.

 
Guide to the 12 Meridians

Cindy Black

Cindy Black is the Founder of Big Tree School of Natural Healing and the author of Meridian Massage, Pathways to Vitality. She is appreciated for her ability to make the complex accessible, fun, and practical.

4 Comments

  1. Melinda on April 20, 2023 at 9:33 pm

    Whenever I feel stress my arms ache. It is after reading this that I understand my tennis elbow ( from no apparent overuse) is the energy stuck in my arm. Thankyou for sharing the information, I truly resonate with it xx

    • Cindy Black on April 21, 2023 at 10:11 am

      It is amazing to experience the physical sensation of stuck energy – it seems like a mystery until it “clicks” – thanks for sharing your experience.
      Wishing you abundant and flowing Qi,
      Cindy

  2. SOPHIA GRACE TORREZ on June 15, 2016 at 10:28 pm

    WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST FOR RELIEVING NUMBNESS FROM THE RING FINGER AND THE PINKIE. THE ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON SAYS I HAVE AN IMPINGEMENT AT THE ELBOW LEVEL. CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS HAVE NOT HELPED.

    • Cindy Black, L.Ac., LMT on June 19, 2016 at 12:24 pm

      Dear Sophia,
      If the cause is an impinged nerve as the surgeon says, relieving the impingement would be the way to go. I would seek out a variety of hands-on practitioners who could help, such as Physical Therapist, Massage Therapist specializing in sport massage or deep tissue, Feldenkrais practitioner, Trager practitioner. Keep searching until you find a person who can help.

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