Drug-Free Pain Relief: Top 5 Best Topical Pain Relief Solutions

What are Topical Pain Relievers?

As a wonderful alternative to using either prescription or over-the-counter oral medications, topical pain relief products provide powerful pain alleviation. Absorbed faster than pills, this relief can come in spray, cream, lotion, gel, ointment, or patch form, and provides localized amelioration of pain, inflammation, and irritation.

For those who live with chronic pain stemming from a variety of inflammatory conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and more, topical products may help with better management of the pain, and facilitate immediate relief. They’re easy to apply, relatively inexpensive, and the right combination of ingredients can make a world of difference in daily living for users suffering from chronic pain.

Topical pain relief products are also ideal for first aid and continuing care following most types of injuries, including sprains, strains, overexertion, and contusions. If the skin is not broken, they can safely be applied to mitigate pain, swelling, and inflammation, and often aid in faster healing, as well.

Ingredients to Consider

Topical pain relievers contain analgesics, antipruritics, and anesthetics, and are rubbed, sprayed, or patched onto the skin over painful muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. All are designed to relieve pain, and use different ingredients to achieve that goal. Here are some of the most effective ingredients found in non-prescription products:

• Salicylates - As the same ingredient that makes aspirin effective against pain, salicylates are also used in topical pain relievers, and are particularly good at mitigating pain in joints close to the skin, including the elbows, fingers, and knees. Trolamine salicylate and methyl salicylate are two commonly utilized salicylates for topical pain relief, and they block the nerve impulse transmissions.
• Counterirritants - It may seem counterintuitive, but counterirritants like camphor and menthol are effective agents against pain. Their combination of cooling and burning sensations helps to distract the brain from receiving other pain signals. They provide immediate pain relief, but may need to be reapplied often for the best results.
• Capsaicin - As one of the most effective ingredients for topical pain relief, capsaicin is the main ingredient of hot chili peppers. It creates a warm tingling or slight burning sensation when it’s first applied that evolves into comforting sensations of relief over time. Especially effective for diabetic nerve pain and joint pain, capsaicin products may need to be used for a couple of weeks before you may really start to notice a difference.
• Herbal Extracts - Many of today’s topical pain relievers are incorporating various herbal extracts to help mitigate pain and inflammation. Utilizing the growing body of scientific research combined with historical, anecdotal evidence, R&D teams are creating high-performance topical pain relief using plants like cat’s claw, ilex, white willow, Boswellia, cannabis, Phellodendron, arnica and more.

How are Topical Pain Relievers Used?

The products created for ameliorating pain can be selected in a variety of formats. You can choose topical relief in a spray, a lotion or cream, a thicker ointment, a lighter gel, or as a patch you apply and leave on your skin.

While all of the formats are designed to provide powerful pain relief, determining which one is best for you is often based on personal preference, unique requirements, and trial-and-error.

Lotions, creams, and especially ointments offer a thicker consistency, and will need to be applied through a moderate amount of massage or rubbing. Gels are lighter and easier to apply for those with manual disabilities. Sprays are the easiest form to apply, but only if the affected area is within the user’s reach. Patches offer consistent therapy, and only need to be applied once or twice a day.

Aside from the pain patches, all topical pain relievers will need to be used several times a day to achieve the utmost relief. Products that contain counterirritants tend to work the fastest, but may need to be reapplied more often than other topical products containing salicylates. Topicals containing capsaicin will generally start to kick in with better overall relief after a couple weeks of daily use, and are well-suited for long-term, chronic pain, and inflammation.

Getting the Most Out of Your Topical Pain Reliever

Topical pain relief products can make a dramatic difference in the lives of those suffering both acute and chronic pain. These relievers are used to mitigate pain and inflammation from injuries, headaches, surgical procedures, and chronic diseases and conditions. While they are quite safe for most people, there are certain contraindications and safety precautions to be aware of when choosing and using them.

Anyone on anticoagulation therapy should not use topical pain relievers with salicylates, as a prolonged prothrombin time has been associated with this concomitant use.

OTC topical pain relievers should only be applied to clean, intact skin.

Some people may not like the camphor or menthol odors inherent in various topical pain relievers, and should choose products that do not contain these ingredients. They also may not like either the cooling or slight burning sensations that some of these counterirritant ingredients cause.

Do not use conventional heating pads with areas you’re treating with topical pain relievers, and do not use tight bandages or occlusive dressings over the treated area.

Discontinue use if uncomfortable rashes, extreme redness, blistering, or irritation arise and persist.

Consult with your doctor before using any topical pain relievers if you are taking any medication.

Never use these products on anyone with desensitized skin, or with those who have trouble perceiving temperature.

If you have allergies, be sure to check the ingredients of the pain reliever before using to ensure it is free of those substances.