Should I Try Biofreeze For Pain
If you are experiencing pain, whether resulting from overworked muscles, arthritis, or other life events, there are a number of options outside of traditional medicine you may consider. Biofreeze, sometimes called cold therapy, is a safe and natural alternative pain relief treatment that works well alongside other hand-on therapies like chiropractic care.
What is Biofreeze?
Biofreeze, or cold therapy, consists of applying a topical analgesic containing menthol, which acts quickly to soothe minor pain of the muscles or joints.
The theory behind why Biofreeze is effective lies in the Gate Control Theory. When the body experiences stress or trauma, certain receptors communicate the feeling of pain to the brain through the spinal cord. The cold feeling resulting from biofreeze applied to the painful area is assumed to override these pain signals, thus providing relief.
Using cold therapy is also shown to lessen inflammation and swelling, two major causes of joint and muscle pain. Biofreeze may also temporarily manage nerve activity, another contributor to pain.
Biofreeze therapy works similarly to ice in reducing inflammation and improving circulation, but offers more powerful, comfortable, convenient, and long-lasting pain relief.
Biofreeze and Alternative Therapy vs. Traditional Pain Relief
Biofreeze + Chiropractic
Q: What Ingredients Are In Topical Pain Relievers And How Do They Work
A: Over-the-counter topical painrelievers often include methyl salicylate . Thisingredient gives topical pain relievers that minty smell and creates a coolingsensation when applied to the skin.
Methyl salicylate is often used as counterirritant, which basically acts as a distraction to pain points. Depending on the product and the other ingredients in it, these rub on treatments may also contain a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug . You know NSAIDs from medicines like ibuprofen and aspirin. When its absorbed into the skin it can decrease the inflammatory reaction.
Some topical pain relievers also contain capsaicin,which is a compound found in chili peppers and is responsible for producing awarming sensation.
Other products may contain menthol, alsoknown as mint camphor, which causes a cooling sensation and can trick the mindinto thinking that the skin or body temperature is dropping. In return, thiscooling feeling desensitizes the nerve endings. Like ice or cold packs, mentholdecreases arterial blood flow.
Can I Use Biofreeze With A Heating Pad Or In A Tanning Bed Or Sauna
No, never use Biofreeze in any of these situations. Biofreeze works by creating a cooling effect. Using it with a heating pad could cause serious injury. You may not be able to tell how hot the heating pad is on the treatment area, which could result in severe blistering. Biofreeze is not intended for use in a tanning bed or sauna.
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Q: At What Point Should You Stop Using A Topical Pain Reliever And See A Doctor
A: Most topical pain relievers should not be used over seven days. Using it for longer than directed could result in a rash or sometimes even a chemical burn. Stop use if your condition worsens or the area becomes irritated.
If your stubborn pain just wont quit, it might be time to bring in the big guns and talk with your doctor. He or she can help you solve the problem of your nagging pain and might even prescribe a prescription based topical pain reliever.
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Q: How Often Should I Use Biofreeze On A Painful Hip When Walking
A: Biofreeze comes with a clinically recommended seal, and its a longtime trusted brand for joint pain relief. This medication is for use on the skin only. Apply to the affected area no more than 3 to 4 times a day. If you are using the cream, gel, or liquid, rub it gently and thoroughly. Some liquid forms of this medication should be shaken before use.
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What Is Biofreeze And How Can It Help Me
Biofreeze is an analgesic cold treatment or cryotherapy gel used to reduce chronic pain, inflammation, swelling and increase healing rate of injured areas of the body. Cold treatment or cryotherapy has been in use to treat pain and injuries for a long time. Ice pack is usually used to cool down the affected area thus reducing the blood flow.
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Tips On Using Cold Therapy For Ra
- Use a bag of frozen peas, wrap ice in a thin towel, or use commercially available cold gel packs for cold therapy.
- Avoid applying ice or cold packs directly to the skin use a towel or cloth between the cold device and the skin.
- To avoid frostbite, do not apply cold for more than 15 minutes at a time.
- Allow your skin to return to normal temperature and color before using cold again.
If you’re using one of these hot or cold methods and it doesn’t bring relief, or it seems to make the rheumatoid arthritis symptoms worse, talk to your doctor.
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How Does Biofreeze Help To Reduce Arthritis Pain
BioFreeze is an analgesic that relieves pain through a menthol-induced cooling process. Unlike medications and surgical procedures, it relieves pain naturally for conditions such as overworked muscles, chronic back pain, or arthritis. BioFreeze penetrates the skin quickly and targets the joints to ease the pain through cold therapy.
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What Are Some Other Side Effects Of Icy Hot Lidocaine Plus Menthol
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Burning.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Why Patients & Therapists Swear By Biofreeze Professional
How effective are analgesics like Biofreeze? Just consider a study by the National Research Centre for Working Environment in Copenhagen, Denmark. Researchers compared the effectiveness of Biofreeze with that of a placebo gel in reducing chronic pain of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The results? Biofreeze reduced hand and wrist pain by 31%. In addition, the reduction in pain lasted at least 3 hours, with participants reporting that the pain-reducing effects lasted even beyond the cooling effect on the skin.
The lead researcher concluded, Using Biofreeze to acutely reduce the pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome may also help facilitate therapeutic exercise or other interventions such as physical or occupational therapy. In other words, Biofreeze can make therapeutic exercise easier, which in turn can lead to less pain.
Biofreeze is effective at reducing not just pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome but also aches and pains in general. It delivers relief from:
- Muscles strains and sprains
- Neck, hip and leg pain
- Joint pain
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Sweet Relief Is On Its Way
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Arthritis is a debilitating and persistent condition. In 2012, an estimated 52.5 million people in the U.S. had arthritis or one of the rheumatic diseases. That number is expected to increase to nearly 80 million people by 2040. But there are plenty of over-the-counter treatment options including creams, lotions, gels, and oils with anti-inflammatory, anesthetic, and additional properties to relieve pain.
Topical medications for pain relief come in multiple formscreams, gels, patches, etc., says Dena Barsoum, MD, a physiatrist at HSS. Consider what body part you are applying it to and what form might work best for you. Its always important to look closely at the active ingredients in any medication you use. Over-the-counter medications sometimes have very flashy packaging and make grand claims about what they can do.”
However, there isnt a one-size-fits-all solution. Product formulas include distinct active ingredients so each individual should test what works best for their arthritis symptoms and lifestyle.
Here are a few of the best arthritis creams on the market.
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Is It Safe To Use Biofreeze Daily
Biofreeze is a topical analgesic, meaning it can be applied by hand directly to the painful area of the skin, no more than 4 times per day. Do not use a heating pad in the same area you are using Biofreeze, as you may experience injury. It is also not recommended to wrap the area where you have applied biofreeze.
Before Taking This Medicine
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if Biofreeze is safe to use if you have ever had an allergy to aspirin or salicylate medicine.
Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you apply menthol to your chest, avoid areas that may come into contact with a nursing babys mouth.
Ask a doctor before using this medicine on child 12 years old or younger.
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What Is Voltaren Emulgel
Voltaren is made of a smooth, non-greasy formula that combines a gel and cream for topical application. This specialized formula helps the active ingredient, diclofenac, penetrate through the skin at the site of pain. While most other topicals heat or cool the surface of the skin to mask the pain, Voltaren goes further to treats the pain at its source by blocking the production of pain-signaling chemicals.
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Our Choice For The Best Medicine For Arthritis Pain
Choosing the best medicines for arthritis pain is not easy as the products on this list have quite the same advantages and disadvantages. However, among the five, the one that has the best effect is Penetrex Pain Relief Therapy. It may not be as strong as Aleve or as popular as the other brands on the list, but it works effectively and efficiently.
One of the things that make this a strong contender for the best medicines for arthritis pain is the fact that it does not contain complicated ingredients, the ones that are difficult to read. This gives us a guarantee that applying the medication will not cause any harm or adverse reactions.
Additionally, the product is not difficult to use. In fact, it can be applied in a matter of seconds. Moreover, after a few minutes, you will already feel it making its way to that part of your body that is badly bruised or in pain. Moreover, it works quickly. No need to wait for hours or days.
Best of all, Penetrex Pain Relief Therapy rightfully belongs to the list of the best medicines for arthritis pain because it helps eliminate and treat the pain. Unlike other medicines that offer temporary or superficial relief, this arthritis medication does not simply hide or mask the pain. Instead, it heals and then repairs. So Penetrex offers complete relief and healing from whatever arthritis pain that may be hounding you.
Are Topical Nsaids Safer
Many other countries permit the sale of topical NSAIDs like Voltaren Gel over the counter. This reader would like to know if such products are safer than oral medicines:
Q. Please clarify whether Voltaren Gel used topically on my knee or spine carries the same risk as NSAID pills. I use a fingertip-size portion on a knee and a fingernail-size portion on one irritated vertebra as needed.
A rheumatologist prescribed it. Neither he nor my other doctor seems to know about NSAID risks with Voltaren Gel.
A. A review of 61 studies of topical NSAID pain relievers like Voltaren Gel concluded that these products provide good levels of pain relief in acute conditions such as sprains, strains and overuse injuries, probably similar to that provided by oral NSAIDs .
This analysis found very few systemic adverse events like digestive tract irritation or cardiovascular complications. Nevertheless, some people are extremely susceptible to NSAID side effects. A few readers have reported stomach pain or abdominal cramps associated with Voltaren Gel use.
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What Can I Give My Dog For A Strained Muscle
If your dog has strained muscle, the road to recovery should not be very difficult. There are plenty of things that you can offer to relieve them of pain. From ointment to a walk in the park, there are several options that you can try out to help your dog.
There are many ointments that will help manage pain. Moreover, while it is not a very popular choice, you can walk your dog on a leash when it has strained muscle. This strategy has been known to relieve dogs of pain.
Here is a list of things that you can give your dog for a strained muscle:
- Ice pack
- Pain relief ointments, including Biofreeze
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
How Do Topical Arthritis Creams Work
Many people with arthritis use topical treatments alone or alongside prescription medications to dull their pain. Topical treatments, which are available in creams, gels, sprays, and roll-ons, are absorbed through the skin, and are most effective when they are rubbed on the joints that are closest to the skins surface, such as the joints in your hands or knees. As always, you should consult with your doctor on your pain management regime.
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Ranking The Best Arthritis Creams Of 2021
An arthritis cream is a topical medication applied directly to the point of arthritis pain to provide relief.
Arthritis creams utilize various mechanisms to achieve this pain relief. Some create a cooling sensation, some numb nerve endings in the affected area, some are whats called counterirritants, and others address inflammation.
Arthritis creams are non-narcotic, safe, convenient, and affordable. They have the added benefit of being able to relieve many other types of pain as well. We researched and tested scores of the most popular arthritis creams on the market and determined that the following are the best arthritis creams of 2021.
Q: Is Biofreeze Safe For Animals My Cat Loves The Scent And Tries To Lick The Area
A: ANDREA M. BRODIE, DVM Veterinarian says, You can use all those provided your cat does not lick the cream or gel. As long as you do not let your cat lick your skin after applying the medication, it is safe for your kitty. There are no 100% safe pain ointments or gels that can also be ingested by your cat without safety concerns.
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How Is Voltaren Different From Aspercreme
Aspercreme offers a range of products including lidocaine products . They also offer topical analgesics containing active ingredients like capsaicin or trolamine salicylate . Voltaren is a full prescription strength non-steroidal anti-inflammatory gel. The active ingredient in Voltaren is diclofenac sodium, a NSAID that works by temporarily blocking the production of pain-signaling chemicals called prostaglandins. Voltaren treats pain at the source.
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