I Have Tennis Elbow and the Pain Has Lasted for Months

Tennis elbow that stays painful for months can leave your outer elbow sore during gripping, lifting, or wrist movement because repeated use keeps stressing the affected tendon.

If your tennis elbow has been bothering you for months, you may notice that the pain never quite disappears. It might settle down when you rest, only to return when you play tennis, carry something heavy, squeeze your hand, or use your wrist repeatedly.

You may also notice that everyday movements have become surprisingly uncomfortable. Turning a doorknob, lifting a coffee cup, shaking hands, or picking something up can bring back the familiar ache because the tendon involved in tennis elbow also helps control your wrist and hand.

The Pain Returns Every Time You Use Your Hand

Repeated gripping can bring the same outer-elbow pain back even after months.

You may feel reasonably comfortable while your arm is resting, but gripping or lifting can quickly bring the soreness back. The first few movements may feel manageable, then the pain becomes more noticeable as you continue using your hand and wrist.

Your Elbow Still Feels Sore Between Activities

Months of tennis elbow can leave your elbow tender even when you are not exercising.

You might notice soreness when your arm is resting on a desk or when you reach for something later in the day. If the area never seems to fully settle between activities, returning to tennis or another repetitive activity can make the same discomfort flare again.

Why Your Elbow Pain Keeps Returning After Months

Your elbow can take longer to recover when blood flow and circulation are reduced.

Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other soft tissues can become irritated or strained through repeated movement, overuse, awkward movements, prolonged positions, or everyday activities. Some of these tissues, particularly tendons and ligaments, naturally receive less blood supply than many other parts of the body and may take longer to recover after irritation or injury. Recovery can take even longer when the same movements or activities continue to place stress on them.

Reduced circulation through the area can make it harder for the tissues to receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to heal properly. This can leave your elbow feeling sore, tight, weak, stiff, or painful during everyday activities.

How To Help Your Elbow Feel Better

Improving blood flow and circulation can help your elbow feel better.

For centuries, Chinese herbs have been used to support healthy blood flow and circulation. Their medicinal properties help disperse stagnant blood and excess fluids that can collect around irritated or injured tissues and restrict normal circulation. As circulation begins moving more freely, fresh blood can better deliver oxygen and nutrients throughout the area to help it recover properly.

Topical remedies containing these Chinese herbs can help relieve pain and other symptoms while supporting healthy blood flow and circulation around the elbow. The right product depends on your symptoms and whether the problem is recent or has been ongoing for some time.

If you have pain, swelling, inflammation, or bruising, Bruise Relief Liniment helps relieve these symptoms by increasing circulation and dispersing stagnant blood and fluids around the irritated tissues. As circulation improves, fresh blood, oxygen, and nutrients can more easily reach the tissues that need them for healing.

If the area is especially swollen, red, or warm after a recent injury or flare-up, Ice Substitute Poultice can also be used to reduce swelling and inflammation while dispersing accumulated blood and fluids. As swelling and trapped fluids are reduced, circulation can move more freely through the area.

If you no longer have swelling or inflammation, but still have pain, stiffness, weakness, or sensitivity in cold weather, Pain Relief Liniment helps relieve these symptoms by strongly stimulating circulation and increasing blood flow to irritated tendons and ligaments. This is especially important because tendons and ligaments naturally receive less blood supply and can take longer to recover.

If you continue to have pain or stiffness around an injured tendon or ligament, or the area feels more painful in cold weather, Tendon and Ligament Poultice can also be used to further stimulate circulation to the area. By increasing circulation, it helps offset the reduced blood flow caused by cold weather, which can aggravate chronic tendon and ligament injuries.

If your muscles feel sore or tight, or if you are preparing for exercise or strenuous activity, Muscle Therapy Massage Oil warms and stimulates the muscles, increases circulation, relieves tightness, and improves flexibility. Using it before activity helps warm up the muscles, while applying it afterward can help relieve soreness and stiffness.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may also find these commonly asked questions helpful.

Is it normal for tennis elbow to last for months?

Tennis elbow can persist for months, especially when gripping, wrist movement, or other activities continue to stress the affected tendon.

Why does my tennis elbow keep hurting after months?

Your pain can continue when the affected tendon is repeatedly stressed before it has enough time to recover between activities.

Can tennis elbow still hurt when I am resting?

Yes. Your elbow may remain sore or tender between activities, particularly after a day involving frequent gripping or wrist movement.

Why does gripping keep bringing back my tennis elbow pain?

Gripping uses the muscles and tendons around your outer elbow, so repeated squeezing can bring the familiar pain back.

When should I get help for tennis elbow that has lasted months?

Persistent, severe, or worsening pain should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional, especially if you also have significant weakness or numbness.

Safety Notes

This article provides general educational information about the topic described above.

Persistent, severe, or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional.