I was wondering what your preference is on pain relieving gels? Just looking on Amazon and I came across Sombra and Penetrex… Both had very high reviews… I was wondering if anyone has used them and would suggest them…
I like the application and feel of BioFreeze. Non-greasy, squeeze tube, relatively inoffensive smell.
IcyHot does the trick too but it’s greasier. Tiger Balm is fine but I don’t like the little jar it comes in (gets under my fingernails too much).
I haven’t tried the others you mentioned.
I recall at a Sports Exercise Physiology Conference when the presenter was asked about topical creams and their efficacy- his response went something along like this - “the only good they do you if they are applied by a 6’2’’ Norwegian Blond”… 
I’d rather do an epsom salt bath.
zheng gu shui cheap and works well … can be had on amazon for like $7
I was wondering what your preference is on pain relieving gels? Just looking on Amazon and I came across Sombra and Penetrex… Both had very high reviews… I was wondering if anyone has used them and would suggest them…
My favourite is Voltaren Gel. In Sweden we can get the 23.2 mg/g (vs. the 11.6 tube sold in N.America), and I do notice the difference in the two doses.
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Menthol, Camphor or Capsaicin. Those are your primary choices. Those are the 3 ‘active ingredients’ in pain relieving ointments.
The next variable is the delivery agent. The cream.
Menthol and Camphor will feel cool to the body. Capsaicin is the ingredient that causes us to sense the heat in a pepper.
All of them act by agitating the blood cells in the skin. This causes an increase in blood flow. Nothing more complicated than that.
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Capscacin is the great ingredient. The other lotions fade quickly.
2nd the voltaren-didn’t know about the other strength thanks
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When I talked to a doctor about this sort of thing, he suggested that the best thing was ibuprofen. Topical stuff doesn’t last very long. He said the same thing for sunburn relief as well.
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When I talked to a doctor about this sort of thing, he suggested that the best thing was ibuprofen. Topical stuff doesn’t last very long. He said the same thing for sunburn relief as well.Ibu needs to be taken with food, and it’s hard on the organs.
Most of the pain relieving gels are a topical analgesic which will help numb down the area/superficial pain receptors. The cooling/heating/tingling effects are all a result of the particular active ingredient that product uses.
Voltaren is an NSAID that comes in pill or topical gel form. The penetrating effects of any gel can be limited to a relatively small depth. Ive found voltaren helpful for superficial issues (distal ITB, patellar tendon, triceps tendon, wrist etc), mostly tendons that may be aggravated over a few days that don’t go away with some rest. Some people may even get some relief around the joint lines if lucky.
So it really depends on what you’re looking for. Its a personal preference and as many have said, smell, residue, application etc all weigh in here or there.
Ive tried icy hot, rock sauce, tiger balm but personally don’t like the heating effects, so Ive stuck to biofreeze, mineral ice etc. if I even needed any help. Mostly placebo for me anyways I feel.
I can neither confirm nor deny the appropriateness of equine products.
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White Flower oil.
Menthol, Camphor or Capsaicin. Those are your primary choices. Those are the 3 ‘active ingredients’ in pain relieving ointments.
The next variable is the delivery agent. The cream.
Menthol and Camphor will feel cool to the body. Capsaicin is the ingredient that causes us to sense the heat in a pepper.
All of them act by agitating the blood cells in the skin. This causes an increase in blood flow. Nothing more complicated than that.
So they say, I know it seems to work for minor soreness and a feel looser in the morning when I use it. But whether it is working or not, I do not know. But it certainly feels goods.
Votaren for “bad” and Traumeel for light/moderate aches.
BioFreeze
Haven’t tried the others.
Old school with Cramer’s Atomic Balm
http://www.cramersportsmed.com/products/analgesics/atomic-balm
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I can neither confirm nor deny the appropriateness of equine products.
Nothing wrong with buying meds at the feed store. Drug stores sell Absorbine Jr. It has .005% menthol as its active ingredient. At the feed store, you can buy Absorbine, manufactured by the same company, that is 4% menthol. I find it works much better.
As to penetrating agents, I use DMSO. I combine it with a liquid NSAID.
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This guy uses Tiger Balm, but he uses it on the jungle’s nuts. YMMV.
