8 Best Muscle Pain Relief Creams, According to Reviewers and Physical Therapists
Short-term relief when you need it most.
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IF YOU'VE ever pushed yourself through a grueling workout, you're likely no stranger to the muscle soreness that often follows. It's that delightful sensation where every movement reminds you of your hard-earned sweat session and has you wondering why you went so hard. The things your muscles really need to bounce back are time, sleep, and fuel, but muscle pain relief creams can be your allies in the battle against the "ouch" factor, providing some respite in the short-term. But let's be clear, the keyword here is "short-term." Even the best muscle pain relief rubs are not a long term solution.
According to Dr. Brad Whitley, PT, DPT, XPS, founding physical therapist of Bespoke Treatments San Diego, these topicals don't actually help with muscle recovery. Instead, they interfere with the neural pathways responsible for transmitting pain signals from your body parts to your brain. In essence, they act as the middle man, helping to minimize the perception of soreness.
Read more: How Men's Health Thoroughly Tests and Reviews Nutrition Products
Dr. Whitley applies these creams to his patients daily to decrease initial soreness and pain following particularly tough sessions at the clinic. It's a strategy employed by many fitness junkies to ease the discomfort that can ensue after boeuts of exercise when muscles have been taxed.
The beauty of pain creams is that they're not exclusive to a select few. "[They] are for most everyone, and with a wide variety of active ingredients, pain creams are widely applicable to those who have muscle, joint, or nerve pain," Dr. Whitley told Men's Health. Just remember, while these creams can be valuable tools in your fitness arsenal, they're not a substitute for proper recovery, rest, and addressing the root causes of muscle or joint pain.
So, the next time you're nursing sore muscles, consider reaching for one of the best muscle pain relief creams to take the edge off. It won't be a magic solution, but it can certainly help. Below, eight top muscle pain relief creams, tested by us.
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