Abstract: Objective To compare the effects of filiform-fire needle and warming needle on rehabilitation of lateral epicondylitis. Methods 90 patients with lateral epicondylitis were randomized into 2 groups to receive filiform-fire needle and warming needle treatment respectively based on rehabilitation training. Their clinical efficacy, total and item scores of Elbow Functional Scale were compared. Results The clinical efficacy was better in the filiform-fire needle group than in the warming needle group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total scores of Elbow Functional Scale between 2 groups. However, the scores of symptoms and signs improved more in the infiliformfire needle group 2 and 4 weeks after the treatment (P<0.05), while the scores of daily living improved more in the warming needle group 2 weeks after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion Both filiform-fire needle and warming needle could recover the elbow function of lateral epicondylitis patients based on the rehabilitation training. The former is advanced in relieving symptoms and signs, while the latter is in improving daily living in short time.

Key words: lateral epicondylitis, filiform-fire needle, warming needle, rehabilitation, elbow function