ArcticBlast for Elbow Pain: Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow & Tendinitis (2026)
Elbow pain is one of the more disruptive joint problems because the elbow is involved in almost every arm movement — lifting, typing, gripping, throwing, and even resting. The two most common chronic elbow conditions — lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) — both involve tendon inflammation at the elbow attachment points, making them good candidates for topical DMSO-based treatment.
We tested ArcticBlast on two people with elbow conditions over 8 weeks to see how it performs on tendon-driven elbow pain and what the best application technique looks like.
Why Elbow Pain Responds Well to Topical Treatment
The tendons at the lateral and medial epicondyle sit directly under the skin with minimal overlying tissue. This makes elbow conditions some of the most accessible for topical treatment — the target tissue (inflamed tendon and periosteum) is within a few millimetres of the surface.
DMSO’s primary advantage — deep penetration through skin and into tissue — is particularly valuable here because tendon tissue has poor blood supply and is hard to reach with systemic oral medications. A DMSO carrier delivers active ingredients directly to the tendon where it’s needed.
Which Elbow Conditions ArcticBlast May Help
- Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) — inflammation where the wrist extensor tendons attach to the outer elbow. The most common elbow overuse injury. ArcticBlast applied directly to the lateral epicondyle consistently reduced pain in our test.
- Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) — same mechanism but at the inner elbow, where wrist flexor tendons attach. Less common but responds similarly to topical treatment.
- Olecranon bursitis — inflammation of the bursa at the tip of the elbow. Topical anti-inflammatory agents can reduce swelling and pain, though significant bursitis may also need aspiration.
- Cubital tunnel syndrome pain — compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow causes inner arm and little finger pain. ArcticBlast provides symptomatic relief but doesn’t address nerve compression directly.
- Post-training elbow soreness — climbers, weightlifters, and racket sports players frequently carry elbow soreness. Post-activity application reduces next-day stiffness.
How to Apply ArcticBlast to the Elbow
- Tennis elbow (outer elbow): Apply 3–4 drops directly to the lateral epicondyle — the bony point on the outer side of the elbow. Massage in small circles for 60 seconds. Apply 2–3x daily, especially before activity and before bed. Extend application 2–3 cm up and down the forearm to cover the proximal tendon.
- Golfer’s elbow (inner elbow): Apply 3–4 drops to the medial epicondyle and massage toward the forearm. Same 2–3x daily schedule.
- Bursitis (elbow tip): Apply 3–4 drops to the olecranon process (the point of the elbow) and spread over a 5 cm radius. Avoid aggressive massage over acutely inflamed bursa — gentle circular motion only.
- General post-activity: Apply across the whole elbow area — inner, outer, and tip — immediately after training. 2–3 drops per zone.
Wash hands after application. If applying before gripping activities (gym, climbing, tennis), allow 10 minutes for the product to absorb before heavy use.
Our 8-Week Elbow Test
Tester 1 — Michael, 43 (Tennis Elbow, 18 months chronic)
Michael developed lateral epicondylitis from keyboard-heavy work and occasional tennis. He had tried physiotherapy (temporary improvement), a counterforce brace (partial help), and oral ibuprofen (GI side effects forced him to stop). Pain rated 6/10 at baseline. He applied ArcticBlast 3x daily to the lateral epicondyle.
Week 1: Immediate cooling relief lasting 60–90 minutes per application. Grip-triggered pain unchanged at 6/10.
Week 3: Grip pain down to 4/10. He noticed less elbow fatigue during long typing sessions.
Week 6: Pain at 3/10. Returned to occasional tennis without the sharp flare-up pain he’d been experiencing. Still uses a brace during play but no longer needs it for desk work.
Week 8: Pain at 2/10. ArcticBlast has become his primary management tool. He notes it works best when applied consistently — skipping days leads to regression.
Tester 2 — Sophie, 36 (Rock Climber, Medial Elbow Pain)
Sophie developed medial elbow pain from rock climbing — a common overuse pattern in this sport. She had reduced her climbing frequency significantly and was frustrated by slow recovery. Pain rated 5/10 at baseline. She applied ArcticBlast after every climbing session (2–3x weekly) and once daily on rest days.
Week 1–2: Post-climbing pain reduced from 5/10 to 3/10 on application days. Recovery time between sessions improved.
Week 4: Able to resume full climbing frequency without elbow pain increasing week-over-week. Post-session application became a consistent part of her cool-down routine.
Week 8: Pain at 1–2/10. Sophie describes ArcticBlast as “the only thing that actually helped faster than doing nothing.” Continues to use post-session.
ArcticBlast vs Other Elbow Pain Treatments
| Treatment | Effectiveness for tendon pain | Prescription needed? | GI side effects? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArcticBlast (DMSO topical) | Good | No | No | Best for consistent daily management |
| Voltaren Gel (diclofenac) | Good for superficial | No | Minimal topical | Anti-inflammatory; less depth than DMSO |
| Oral NSAIDs (ibuprofen) | Good short-term | No | Yes (long-term risk) | Effective but not for long-term chronic use |
| Corticosteroid injection | Very good short-term | Yes | No | Risk of tendon weakening with repeat injections |
| Physiotherapy + eccentric exercises | Excellent long-term | Yes (referral) | No | Best for structural recovery; slow results |
For chronic tennis or golfer’s elbow, the most effective approach combines eccentric strengthening exercises (physiotherapy-guided) with daily topical pain management. ArcticBlast fills the pain management role without the GI risk of oral NSAIDs or the tendon risk of repeat steroid injections.
→ Try ArcticBlast for elbow pain — official site with money-back guarantee
More ArcticBlast Pain Relief Guides
- ArcticBlast for Wrist and Hand Pain — carpal tunnel, RSI, and hand arthritis
- ArcticBlast for Shoulder Pain — rotator cuff and shoulder impingement
- ArcticBlast for Hip Pain — bursitis and hip arthritis results
- ArcticBlast for Ankle Pain — sprains, Achilles tendinitis, and arthritis
- ArcticBlast for Knee Pain — joint and soft tissue results
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ArcticBlast work for tennis elbow?
Yes. Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) is one of the conditions that responds well to DMSO-based topical treatment because the affected tendons sit close to the skin surface. Apply 3x daily to the lateral epicondyle consistently — results typically appear by week 3.
How long should I apply ArcticBlast before seeing results for elbow tendinitis?
Most people notice partial pain reduction within 1–2 weeks. Meaningful, sustained improvement typically appears at weeks 3–4 with consistent 2–3x daily application. Elbow tendinitis is a slow-healing condition regardless of treatment; expect 6–8 weeks for significant improvement.
Can I use ArcticBlast before playing tennis or climbing?
Yes. Applying 15–20 minutes before activity provides analgesic cover. However, DMSO can increase absorption of other substances, so avoid applying it immediately before contact with chemicals, chalk, or gym equipment coatings that you wouldn’t want absorbed into your skin.
Is ArcticBlast better than a cortisone injection for tennis elbow?
Cortisone injections provide faster, stronger pain relief but carry risks with repeated use, including tendon weakening. ArcticBlast is slower-acting but safer for long-term management. The best approach is often a single injection for acute flare control, followed by topical management and physiotherapy for sustained recovery.
Related: our full ArcticBlast review.
