Best Cream for Tennis Elbow 2025: What Works, What Doesn't, and When You Need More
- Mick Breen
- May 22
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 5
After treating 300+ tennis elbow cases in Melbourne and testing every major over-the-counter cream available, here's the evidence-based truth about tennis elbow creams - what actually works, what's marketing hype, and when creams alone won't fix the problem.
⚠️ IMPORTANT:
If you've had tennis elbow for more than 4 weeks, creams alone won't resolve it. Professional assessment can identify the root cause and create a targeted treatment plan that actually fixes the problem.
Most people try creams for 2-3 months before seeking help. The earlier you get professional treatment, the faster you recover.
The Painful Truth About Tennis Elbow Creams
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) is a tendon problem, not a skin problem. Understanding this is critical to knowing when creams will help and when they won't.
What's Actually Happening:
- The tendons on the outside of your elbow are damaged
- Usually from repetitive gripping, twisting, or lifting
- The tendon fibers have microtears and inflammation
- This causes pain that radiates from elbow to wrist
What Creams CAN Do:
✓ Reduce surface inflammation temporarily
✓ Provide 2-4 hours of pain relief
✓ Help manage symptoms during treatment
✓ Support recovery when combined with proper treatment
What Creams CANNOT Do:
✗ Fix the damaged tendon tissue
✗ Address the biomechanical cause (why you got it)
✗ Prevent it from coming back
✗ Help chronic cases (4+ weeks old)
After 7 years treating tennis elbow professionally in Melbourne, I've seen hundreds of people who spent months trying creams before seeking help. The pattern is always the same: temporary relief, then the pain returns.
When Tennis Elbow Creams Actually Work
Creams ARE Helpful For:
1. Acute Cases (First 2 Weeks)
- Recent onset tennis elbow
- Pain from a specific incident or activity
- Combined with rest and ice
- Timeline: May resolve with conservative care
2. Pain Management During Professional Treatment
- Reduces discomfort between sessions
- Helps you continue necessary activities
- Part of comprehensive treatment plan
- Supports healing process
3. Post-Activity Symptom Control
- After tennis, golf, or work activities
- Managing flare-ups
- Temporary relief while healing
- Bridge to next treatment session
Creams WON'T Help If You Have:
- Tennis elbow for 4+ weeks (chronic)
- Pain that keeps coming back
- Pain that's getting worse over time
- Already tried 2-3 different creams with no lasting improvement
- Weakness when gripping or twisting
- Pain that wakes you at night
→ If you check 2+ boxes above, you need professional treatment, not creams.
Best Tennis Elbow Creams (If You're Going to Try Them)
Based on clinical evidence and 7 years of treating tennis elbow in Melbourne, here are the creams that actually work:
#1: Voltaren Gel (Diclofenac 1%)
Clinical Evidence: Strong
Active Ingredient: Diclofenac (NSAID)
How It Works: Penetrates skin to reduce inflammation in soft tissue
Pros:
- Best clinical evidence of any topical NSAID
- Available over-the-counter in Australia
- Works within 30-45 minutes
- 4-6 hours of relief per application
Cons:
- Can irritate sensitive skin
- Not for long-term use (max 2 weeks)
- Doesn't address underlying problem
- $18-25 per tube
Best For: Acute pain relief during first 2 weeks or managing flare-ups during treatment
My Verdict: If you're only going to try one cream, make it Voltaren. It has the strongest evidence and works better than most alternatives.
#2: Fisiocrem Solugel
Clinical Evidence: Moderate
Active Ingredients: Natural plant extracts, arnica, hypericum
Pros:
- Natural anti-inflammatory ingredients
- Gentler on skin than Voltaren
- Can be used longer-term
- Popular with athletes
Cons:
- Less potent than pharmaceutical NSAIDs
- More expensive ($30-40)
- Limited clinical studies
- Variable effectiveness between users
Best For: People who can't tolerate Voltaren or prefer natural options
My Verdict: Good alternative if you want something gentler, but expect less dramatic pain relief.
#3: Biofreeze (Menthol-based)
Clinical Evidence: Moderate
Active Ingredient: Menthol 4%
Pros:
- Works quickly (15-20 minutes)
- Cooling sensation feels good
- Safe for frequent use
- No skin irritation for most people
Cons:
- Doesn't actually reduce inflammation
- More of a pain distractor than treatment
- Shorter duration (2-3 hours)
- $15-20
Best For: Immediate, short-term pain relief before or after activities
My Verdict: Good for acute pain management but won't help healing. Think of it as ice in a tube.
What About Other Creams?
CBD Creams: Limited evidence for tennis elbow specifically. May help with pain but expensive ($40-80). No better than Voltaren for most people.
Tiger Balm/Deep Heat: Warming sensation feels good but doesn't address inflammation. More of a comfort measure than treatment.
Prescription Compounds: Your doctor may prescribe stronger topical NSAIDs or compounded creams. These can be effective but usually aren't necessary if standard options fail - that's when you need professional treatment instead.
🎯 Professional Tennis Elbow Treatment vs Creams Alone
What Creams Do:
- Provide 2-4 hours of temporary pain relief
- Reduce surface inflammation
- Cost: $20-40
What Professional Treatment Does:
- Identifies WHY you got tennis elbow (grip patterns, biomechanics, muscle imbalances)
- Fixes the damaged tendon with targeted manual therapy
- Prevents recurrence with exercise rehabilitation
- Addresses compensations in shoulder, wrist, and grip
- Timeline: Most people significantly better in 4-6 weeks
- Cost: Covered by most health funds
The Reality: After treating 300+ tennis elbow cases in Melbourne, I've found that people who try creams alone for 2+ months take 3x longer to fully recover than those who get professional help early.
Same-week appointments in Thornbury | Health fund rebates accepted
What Professional Tennis Elbow Treatment Actually Includes
Most people don't understand what professional treatment involves beyond "massage." Here's what actually happens:
Initial Assessment (30-45 minutes)
We identify the root cause:
- How you grip things (racquet, mouse, tools, weights)
- Shoulder and wrist mechanics
- Muscle imbalances in forearm and upper arm
- Movement compensations
- What activities are aggravating it
Why this matters: Tennis elbow isn't random. There's always a biomechanical reason. If we don't fix the cause, it will keep coming back.
Treatment Phase (4-8 sessions typically)
Week 1-2: Pain Reduction
- Soft tissue release for tight forearm muscles
- Tendon mobilization techniques
- Activity modification coaching
- Home exercises (yes, movement helps healing)
- Goal: 40-50% pain reduction
Week 3-4: Restore Function
- Progressive strengthening of the damaged tendon
- Grip strength exercises
- Eccentric loading protocols (proven most effective)
- Return to modified activities
- Goal: Can do most activities with minimal pain
Week 5-8: Full Recovery & Prevention
- Advanced strengthening
- Sport/work-specific movements
- Long-term prevention strategies
- Independent exercise program
- Goal: Full return to all activities, pain-free
Typical Timeline
Week 1: Significant pain reduction (40-50%)
Week 3: Return to most activities with modifications
Week 6: 80-90% improvement
Week 8-12: Full recovery, prevention plan in place
Compare this to creams alone: Most people try creams for 2-6 months with minimal improvement, then still need professional treatment anyway.
How Much Does Tennis Elbow Treatment Cost?
Initial Assessment: $90-130
Treatment Sessions: $90-120 each
Typical Total: 4-8 sessions = $360-960
BUT: Most health funds cover 80-100% with extras cover.
Your out-of-pocket: Often $100-200 total for the entire treatment course.
Compare to:
- Multiple tubes of cream over months: $60-120
- Time off work from chronic pain: $$$$
- Ongoing pain and limitation: Priceless
Plus: Professional treatment actually fixes it, not just manages symptoms.
When to See a Professional vs Try Creams
Try Creams First If:
✓ Pain started in the last 1-2 weeks
✓ You know the exact cause (one-time activity)
✓ Pain is mild (3-4 out of 10)
✓ Improving day by day
✓ Can still do most activities
Give it 2 weeks. If not significantly better, book assessment.
See a Professional Now If:
⚠️ Pain for 4+ weeks
⚠️ Already tried 2-3 creams with no lasting effect
⚠️ Pain is severe (7+ out of 10)
⚠️ Getting worse over time
⚠️ Can't do work or sports activities
⚠️ Weakness when gripping
⚠️ Pain radiating to wrist or shoulder
⚠️ Pain waking you at night
Don't wait months hoping creams will eventually work. The longer tennis elbow is chronic, the longer it takes to fix.
My Honest Recommendation (After Treating 300+ Cases)
If your tennis elbow is new (under 2 weeks):
Try Voltaren Gel for 10-14 days while you rest and modify activities. If not 70%+ better by day 14, book an assessment.
If your tennis elbow has been around 4+ weeks:
Skip the cream experimentation phase. Book a professional assessment now. You've probably already wasted 4+ weeks hoping it would resolve on its own.
If you've already tried creams for weeks: You have your answer - they're not enough for your case. Get professional help before it becomes even more chronic and harder to treat. If you're an athlete or need your arms for work: Don't mess around with creams. Get it assessed and treated properly so you can return to full function fast.
Still Deciding Between Creams and Professional Treatment?
Book a free 15-minute tennis elbow assessment:
✓ We'll assess your tennis elbow severity
✓ Identify the root cause (it's often not what you think)
✓ Explain honestly if creams alone will work for your case
✓ No obligation - just expert advice from someone who's treated 300+ cases
My goal: Get you back to pain-free activity as fast as possible, whether that's with creams, professional treatment, or a combination of both.
📍 Thornbury, Melbourne | 💳 Health fund rebates | 📅 Online booking | ⏰ Same-week appointments
Questions about tennis elbow treatment?
Call or text: +61439202659
--- Melbourne Soft Tissue Therapy specializes in treating tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, and other tendon conditions in athletes and active individuals. Serving Thornbury, Brunswick, Northcote, Preston, and surrounding Melbourne suburbs.