Today’s society is leaning more and more towards natural health cures. People today want to stay fit and healthy. They want to do this with as few chemicals as possible.
There is more and more concern when it comes to taking pills these days; they do not want to rely on taking pills everyday. Dependency upon certain medications might be inevitable but this does not have to be the case with pain medicine which makes an over the counter topical pain cream a great choice for many.
Live a Longer More Active Life
With the advancements to medicine these days, people are living longer and fuller lives. The older generation is realizing that they do not have to be done living just because their bodies are getting older. So, what can be done with sore muscles and joints that do not recover like they used to?
With today’s advancements in pain relief people can now turn to pain relief creams that will not often conflict with other medications or cause stomach irritations, liver and kidney damage or increase a risk of heart attacks. By simply applying a topical pain reliever, life can keep going.
The Ingredients Found in Most Topical Pain Relief Creams
Using topical pain relief creams, also known as topical NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), can reduce your exposure to chemicals and help you get on your way faster. In addition to creams, topical NSAIDs can be found in gels, sprays and patches. When you take an oral NSAID, it travels through your digestive system into your circulatory system to the area when pain and swelling is present. A topical NSAID can be applied directly to the skin on the affected area eliminating these chemicals from traveling throughout the entire body. Your exposure to chemicals is cut dramatically.
Menthol is an active ingredient that can be found in most topical pain creams. Although menthol does not actually reduce the pain or inflammation, it does create a cooling sensation that draws our attention away from the pain. The cool sensation makes you feel as if you have less pain. In addition, menthol is a harmless, natural ingredient.
Capsaicin is another active ingredient that is often used in topical creams or patches. It is derived from different kinds of hot peppers like cayenne peppers. It is the same ingredient that makes the peppers spicy hot. Capsaicin works by stimulating pain at first and then decreasing the intensity of pain signals in the body. Although you may notice a burning sensation when you first use this kind of pain reliever, it should diminish with continued use. Capsaicin works to reduce pain by stimulating the release of a compound involved in communicating pain between the nerves within your spine and other parts of your body.
Methyl salicylate is related to aspirin and is an active ingredient in many topical NSAIDs. Although topical pain relievers that contain methyl salicylate do provide pain relief, those who are allergic to aspirin or take blood thinners should consult with their health care provider before they use it. Applying creams that contain methyl salicylate over a large area of the body may be equal to taking 2 tablets of regular strength Aspirin. In addition, when using pain relief creams that contain methyl salicylate, you should not using a heating pad on the painful area or wrap the area tightly in a bandage.
Topical pain relievers can reduce the amount of chemicals that you digest however, there are some risks associated with them. Some users complain of a rash, irritated skin or a burning sensation with its use. It should not be applied to wounded, damaged or irritated skin. They should not be used in children under the age of 12 and if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you need to consult your doctor before use. If swallowed or gets in the eyes, contact a Poison Control Center or seek medical help right away.
