A systematic review of published studies on the effect of acupuncture on lateral elbow (tennis elbow) pain has concluded that “there is strong evidence suggesting that acupuncture is effective in short-term pain relief for patients with lateral epicondyle pain”. The studies reviewed were all randomised or quasi-randomised and acupuncture was the only intervention used in the treatment group. In five of the six trials that met the criteria, acupuncture was shown to be superior to the control intervention, and four of the trials showed true acupuncture to be superior to sham or placebo interventions. In the one study which included a one-year follow-up, the benefits of acupuncture were maintained for the duration of the follow-up period.

Rheumatology 2004; 43: 1085–90.