7 Best Muscle Rubs & Balms to Relieve Pain in 2024

Sore muscle tissues, whether or not from a tough exercise or sleeping weirdly, might be an unwelcome distraction whenever you’re simply attempting to go about your common day. Whereas it will not magically heal an harm or pace up restoration, a muscle rub or balm could also be a very good answer to a minimum of assist alleviate soreness and ache briefly. These rubs—which may come as a gel, cream, or ointment—get absorbed by the pores and skin and may help soothe aching muscles or joints. They usually include naturally derived ingredients like camphor, menthol, and arnica (extra on these beneath), which intention to lower irritation and stimulate the pores and skin to distract your mind from the sensation of discomfort.

To study extra about what to search for in a rub, we spoke to a couple health and bodily remedy professionals for his or her suggestions and proposals of the very best muscle rubs round. Whether or not you are experiencing back pain, post-workout soreness, or simply common aches (ugh, we’re sorry!), one of many merchandise on this record may help you discover some reduction.

7 of the very best muscle rubs, at a look:

• Greatest gel: Biofreeze, Menthol Pain-Relieving Gel, $15
• Greatest ointment: Tiger Balm, Pain Relieving Ointment, $12
• Greatest with pure components: The Feel Good Lab, Natural Pain Cream, $25
• Greatest natural: Dr. Bronner’s, Organic Magic Balm, $15
• Greatest cream: Ted’s, Pain Cream, $22
• Greatest topical NSAID: Voltaren, Arthritis Pain Gel, $10
• Greatest with CBD: Cornbread Hemp, Full-Spectrum Hemp Balm, $5

Elements to search for in a muscle rub

Menthol, arnica, and camphor—these are three of the highest components to search for in a soothing rub says Shikha Sharma, PT, DPT, medical director of Excel Sports and Physical Therapy in St. Louis, Missouri.

“These components create a pleasing diversion with their cooling sensations from ache with out irritating the pores and skin,” she says. Lara Heimann, a bodily therapist and creator of the LYT Yoga Method, provides that components like CBD or THC might be extra useful in treating persistent ache (components like menthol solely briefly block ache indicators from touring to the mind.) Muscle balms that include topical ache relievers like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also soothe muscle tissues for those who’re injured or cannot take oral anti-inflammatories (though they are not for everybody, so you should definitely communicate together with your physician first and monitor your NSAID use).

The place attainable, keep away from dyes, preservatives, or parabens, and search for research-backed approval, says Heimann. “Artificial-free and natural [ingredients] would be the greatest as you’re making use of straight onto the pores and skin to be absorbed,” she provides. And most significantly, you should definitely take it straightforward. Sharma notes that whereas utilizing muscle balms, your perceived tolerance to ache and vary of movement might seem to enhance. “Watch out when exercising or participating in any strenuous exercise, as you don’t need to push your self previous your precise potential or vary of movement,” she says.

The 7 greatest muscle rubs for immediate reduction

Best gel: Biofreeze, Menthol Pain-Relieving Gel — $15.00

Key components: Menthol, arnica montana, camphor, aloe, lemon balm

Biofreeze is freed from parabens and makes use of a four-percent menthol method that gives quick and long-lasting ache reduction by blocking the ache sign to your mind. The gel is non-greasy, and menthol offers it a cooling impact to assist cut back irritation, says Kyle Risley, a well being knowledgeable and CEO of Lift Vault. It additionally is available in roll-on and spray variations to make software even simpler and mess-free.

Dimension: 4 oz.

 

• Non-greasy method
• Inexpensive
• Out there at most drugstores
• Out there in several codecs (roll-on, stick, and many others.)

Best ointment: Tiger Balm, Pain Relieving Ointment — $12.00

Key components: camphor, menthol, cassia oil, cajuput oil, clove oil

Tiger Balm is a basic—it’s been round for 100 years, and for those who’ve ever had a jar in your cupboard, you’ll acknowledge its distinct odor. The principle components are camphor and menthol, which give heat that helps open up blood vessels and improve circulation to loosen up any stiff joints. The compact dimension and non-messy software makes this decide nice to throw in your fitness center bag and use on the go.

Dimension: 1.7 oz.

 

• Compact dimension
• Doesn’t stain garments
• Inexpensive
• Made with pure components.

Best with natural ingredients: The Feel Good Lab, Natural Pain Cream — $25.00

Key components: arnica, aloe, turmeric, menthol, vitamin E

This ache cream is made with a slew of pure components like arnica, turmeric, aloe vera, calendula, menthol, and extra. The method doesn’t include any poisonous components or synthetic fragrances, and it’s FDA-registered to alleviate arthritis and backache ache. And, not like the 2 picks above, this cream doesn’t go away behind a robust odor. It’s additionally a clean, non-greasy method that may go away your pores and skin feeling gentle due to the addition of glycerin, sunflower oil, and vitamin E.

Dimension: 3.4 oz.

 

• Delicate scent
• Formulation consists of 30 botanical components
• Moisturizing
• Non-greasy
• FDA-approved for sure signs

Best organic: Dr. Bronner’s, Organic Magic Balm — $15.00

Key components: arnica, camphor, menthol, avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil

Made with USDA- and Honest Commerce-certified components, Dr. Bronner’s Magic Balm can be utilized on sore muscle tissues in addition to dry pores and skin. It has arnica, menthol, and camphor oils to supply cooling reduction, beeswax, and olive, avocado, and coconut oils to nourish. The model additionally makes a version of this balm that excludes the arnica and menthol for a scent-free moisturizer, if that’s extra your pace.

Dimension: 2 oz.

 

• USDA- and Honest-Commerce licensed
• Contains pure, moisturizing components to melt pores and skin
• Perfume-free choice
• Inexpensive
• Out there in most drugstores

• Scent-free choice doesn’t present pain-relieving results

Best cream: Ted’s, Pain Cream — $22.00

Key components: resveratrol, methyl salycilate (wintergreen oil), arnica, glycerin, Boswellia serrata extract

Ted’s Ache Cream was developed by a neuroscientist and can be utilized on muscle tissues or migraines alike. It’s a favourite of Heimann as a result of, along with menthol from wintergreen oil, it additionally consists of resveratrol, which is present in grape skins and different crops, and has been proven to focus on pain-sensing nerves. The combo of the 2 intention to supply a extra long-lasting treatment. Plus, the addition of glycerin and water helps this method go on easily and provides a contact of moisture.

Dimension: 3 oz.

 

• Resveratrol and wintergreen work collectively to alleviate ache
• Non-greasy method
• Lengthy-lasting
• Out there in several codecs (roll-on, and many others.)

Best topical NSAID: Voltaren, Arthritis Pain Gel — $10.00

Key components: NSAID (diclofenac sodium), mineral oil, perfume

Voltaren cream goes past pores and skin deep; it’s an NSAID medication and absorbs into your muscle tissues to assist cut back irritation and supply ache reduction. It penetrates rapidly, has no odor, and can last as long as 12 hours, provides David Brendan, an ISSA/IFPA licensed health coach. It’s marketed as an arthritis cream however can be utilized on muscle tissues, too.

Because it’s an NSAID, you need to communicate together with your physician earlier than utilizing Voltaren gel, particularly you probably have coronary heart issues, a persistent situation, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Dimension: 1.7 oz.

 

• Made with NSAID
• Perfume-free
• Works rapidly and lasts lengthy
• Inexpensive
• FDA-approved

• Requires physician sign-off you probably have a coronary heart problem, persistent situation, or are pregnant
• Elements might irritate pores and skin for some folks

Best with CBD: Cornbread Hemp, Full-Spectrum Hemp Balm — $55.00

Key components: hemp CBD extract, arnica, shea butter, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil

Whereas analysis continues to be within the early levels, there may be promising data on the market relating to hemp-derived CBD as an anti-inflammatory help. This balm from Cornbread Hemp options USDA Natural full-spectrum hemp flower extract, in addition to arnica and peppermint. It is available in a tube, which makes it straightforward to use on tough-to-reach spots (like your higher again or shoulders), and the non-greasy method isn’t too overpowering within the scent division. Plus, Cornbread Hemp places all of their merchandise by rigorous third-party testing to verify security and accuracy—that’s further vital when purchasing for a CBD product as a result of they’re not but regulated by the FDA.

Dimension: 2.4 oz.

 

• USDA-certified, natural components
• Third-party examined for accuracy and security
• Simple to use
• Lengthy-lasting

• Dear
• Contains hint quantities of THC (will not be a con for some!)

What to contemplate

Perfume

Some persons are down with the minty menthol or camphor scent of most muscle rubs—it smells prefer it’s working! However for those who’re scent-averse, you may need to go for a less-strong or unscented choice.

Consistency and packaging

Do you like a waxy balm, a slippery gel, or a moisturizing cream? Every consistency feels totally different on the pores and skin. Moreover, the packaging might play a job in whether or not or not you are taking your muscle rub on the go (for instance, a stick or balm may be higher for the fitness center bag, whereas a bath or jar might be saved simply in your medication cupboard.)

Certifications

The pores and skin is our our bodies’ largest organ, so the components you apply matter. Whereas the entire merchandise on our record are secure for topical use, some go the additional mile by prioritizing natural and naturally derived components so you may really feel extra assured in what you are placing in your bod. This consists of:

• • FDA approval: Make sure that the muscle rub is accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that the product meets sure security and efficacy requirements.
  • Third-party testing: Select muscle rubs that bear third-party testing by respected laboratories. This ensures that the product’s components are precisely labeled, and it meets security and efficiency requirements
  • Natural and cruelty-free requirements: In the event you favor pure and natural merchandise, search for muscle rubs which can be licensed natural by organizations such because the USDA. This ensures that the components are grown and processed with out artificial chemical substances. Equally, take into account merchandise which can be licensed cruelty-free by organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA. This certification signifies that the product and its components weren’t examined on animals.

Price range

The muscle rubs on our record vary from $10 to $55, so your price range is actually one thing to remember whereas purchasing. Merchandise that use natural, pure components are usually somewhat pricier (they usually value extra to make and certify). However, assuming you just like the product, some manufacturers supply subscription reductions, that are price testing.

FAQs

Do muscle rubs actually work?

Whether or not a muscle rub works or not will rely upon the product’s particular components. In the event you’re utilizing a topical NSAID, there is a excessive likelihood you may expertise anti-inflammatory advantages (as you’d with an ingested NSAID). Nevertheless, research suggests that many topical ache lotions can usually present a placebo impact—that is significantly true for formulation that embrace menthol or camphor, which cool or heat the pores and skin and, consequently, distract the consumer from the ache.

Does that imply they do not work? It is determined by the way you have a look at it. Bear in mind: whereas they may really feel good on sore muscle tissues after a workout, muscle rubs aren’t meant to treatment or relieve ache long-term.

The place to not put muscle rub?

Muscle rubs are meant for exterior use solely and should not be utilized to any damaged pores and skin or cuts. In the event you are inclined to have delicate pores and skin, it is best to check the rub on a small patch in your wrist earlier than making use of it to the world the place you are experiencing ache. In the event you’re utilizing topical NSAID, it is best to ask your physician earlier than making use of to make sure you’re cleared to be used.

Can you utilize an excessive amount of muscle rub?

To know dosing, all the time learn the directions on the packaging for the muscle rub you select. Some merchandise include easy components that you simply actually cannot go overboard with. Others have extra complicated formulation containing CBD or NSAIDs—these specifically must be utilized by the model’s directions (and maybe even per your physician’s orders). In the event you discover any opposed results (corresponding to itchiness, redness, or drowsiness) cease utilizing the rub instantly.