Best Cream for Tennis Elbow: What Actually Works (And What Doesn’t)

Looking for the best cream for tennis elbow?

You’re not alone. "Best cream for tennis elbow" is one of the most searched phrases by people battling lateral elbow pain. And while creams might offer short-term relief, they rarely fix the actual problem.

Let’s break it down.

What Is Tennis Elbow?

Tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is a condition where the tendons in your forearm become overloaded—usually from repetitive motion. You don’t need to play tennis to get it. Desk workers, tradespeople, lifters, and parents hauling kids around are just as likely to suffer.

Symptoms include:

• Pain on the outside of your elbow

• Weak grip strength

• Pain when lifting, gripping, or twisting

The first thing most people turn to? Creams.

Topical Creams for Tennis Elbow: What’s Out There?

Here’s a breakdown of the most common options:

1. Anti-Inflammatory Creams

• Examples: Voltaren, Nurofen Gel

• Contain NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

• Aim: Reduce local inflammation in soft tissue

Pros:

• Readily available

• Some studies show mild benefit in the short term

Cons:

• Doesn’t address the mechanical cause

• Limited penetration depth

2. Analgesic Creams & Balms

• Examples: Tiger Balm, Deep Heat, Ice Gel

• Contain menthol, camphor, or capsaicin

• Aim: Mask pain through heat or cold sensation

Pros:

• Fast relief

• Creates temporary distraction from pain

Cons:

• No actual healing

• Easy to overuse while masking underlying damage

3. CBD-Based Creams

• Gaining traction for pain and inflammation relief

• Early research suggests some promise, but evidence is still limited

Pros:

• May reduce inflammation and pain signals

• Often well-tolerated

Cons:

• Not all products are well-regulated

• Still lacking large-scale studies

4. Capsaicin Creams

• Derived from chilli peppers

• Works by depleting substance P (a pain neurotransmitter)

Pros:

• Some evidence of neuropathic pain relief

Cons:

• Can irritate skin

• Doesn’t fix tissue dysfunction

The Problem with Relying on Creams Alone

Creams are like turning down the volume on a smoke alarm—without checking where the fire is coming from.

They can:

• Dull the pain

• Offer temporary comfort

But they won’t:

• Fix overloaded tendons

• Improve tissue quality

• Restore functional movement

If you only treat the symptoms, the problem sticks around—or comes back worse.

What Actually Works Long-Term

At Melbourne Soft Tissue Therapy, we treat tennis elbow by focusing on the root cause:

• Hands-on treatment for tight or overused forearm muscles

• Load management strategies to reduce strain

• Targeted strength work (especially eccentric loading)

• Postural corrections and movement education

• Addressing contributing areas like the shoulder and wrist

Best Approach? Use Creams With a Plan

Creams can be a useful short-term aid. But if you want lasting change, they need to be part of a bigger plan that focuses on function, strength, and recovery.

FAQs

Q: Can creams cure tennis elbow?

A: No. They provide symptom relief, but do not resolve the root cause.

Q: How long should I use a cream for tennis elbow?

A: No more than a few weeks—and always in combination with physical treatment or rehab strategies.

Q: What’s the best treatment for tennis elbow?

A: A combo of manual therapy, load management, and progressive strengthening.

Final Word

Tennis elbow doesn’t get better with rest alone—or with another tube of cream. You need to restore the way your body moves, loads, and recovers.

🔧 Ready to fix the root cause?

Book a session at Melbourne Soft Tissue Therapy and let’s rebuild the foundation—so the pain doesn’t keep coming back.

👉 Book Online Now