When it comes to relieving sore, stiff muscles and aching joints, pain relief creams and gels can provide welcomed and soothing relief without the need to pop pain medication pills. These topical analgesics work by reducing inflammation, blocking pain signals, cooling irritation or gently warming to promote blood flow and relax muscles. With so many options on the market, it can get confusing deciding which pain relief cream may work best for your needs.
Menthol based creams like IcyHot and Biofreeze use this natural compound to provide a cooling sensation by activating cold receptors. The cooling effect helps distract the body from pain signals while also reducing inflammation. These creams tend to work best for sore muscles after exercise or overexertion. Look for creams with at least 3% menthol for effectiveness.
Capsaicin pain relief creams like Zostrix contain the active component that makes hot peppers spicy. By activating nerve endings, capsaicin can reduce the amount of pain signal sent to the brain. The warming and increased blood flow can also relieve muscle soreness and joint pain. However, capsaicin must be used consistently for 2 weeks or more before maximum benefits are felt. Always thoroughly wash hands after use to avoid accidentally irritating eyes or othersensitive areas later.
Topical NSAID creams, like Voltaren, contain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ingredients similar to oral pain medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin. By inhibiting inflammatory pathways, NSAIDs decrease swelling, fluid retention and sensitivity to pain stimuli. Due to minimal systemic absorption, topical NSAID creams provide localized pain relief with little risk of side effects like upset stomach or ulcers. However, care should still be taken with applying to broken skin or in conjunction with other blood thinners.
Arnica based gels and creams use extracts from this flowering mountain plant that has been used medicinally since the 16th century. Today, arnica is most popular for treating bruises by speeding up blood circulation and clearance of pooled blood from damaged tissue. For this reason, arnica gels can alleviate pain from recent injuries, trauma or post-surgical sites. Although mostly safe, oral ingestion of arnica can be toxic, so stick to external topical application only.
With many pain relief creams and gels to choose from, experiment to discover which works best for your needs. Just be sure to follow all package directions carefully. Consult a doctor if irritation or discomfort increases while using any product. For moderate to severe pain, these topical analgesics may be used in conjunction with oral medications or physical therapy for comprehensive relief.
