Acupuncture was a huge help for me (though not a complete cure) in recovering from tendinitis in both elbows.

The tendinitis was the result of (wait for it) immobilizing my hand on the advice of an orthopedic surgeon, after bruising a tendon and a nerve in a freak home improvement accident So I'm strongly biased against immobilization.

My experience with orthos, in Ohio, Maryland and Florida over 25 years and for several different injuries, is that they don't even want to know you unless they can cut on you. My thought is go with the acupuncture first, and if that doesn't help see a physical therapist. See the ortho only if your insurance requires you to get a MD referral for PT. Many acupuncture physicians will give you home exercises, too.