Orthopedics Topical Relief for Muscle Pain By Kimberly Charleson Kimberly Charleson Kimberly is a health and wellness writer with 8 years of experience in healthcare and a special passion for mental health awareness. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 14, 2021 Medically reviewed by David Ozeri, MD Medically reviewed by David Ozeri, MD LinkedIn David Ozeri, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist. He is based in Tel Aviv, Israel, where he does research at Sheba Medical Center. Previously, he practiced at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Arnica Capsaicin Menthol Lidocaine Turmeric How to Apply Muscle Cream Possible Side Effects Muscle creams, also called muscle rubs, are available over the counter (OTC) and are used to ease muscle and joint pain caused by arthritis or injuries. They contain a wide variety of active ingredients. Some have active medicines that penetrate the skin and enter the body while others contain counterirritants that create a cool or hot sensation as a distraction from pain points. Common OTC muscle creams include BenGay, Icy Hot, Biofreeze, and Tiger Balm. Andresr / Getty Images Arnica Arnica is an herb, and its flowers are commonly used in medicine. It contains active chemicals that can aid in reducing swelling and decreasing pain and act as an antibiotic. Arnica is commonly used for pain associated with osteoarthritis, sore throat, and surgery, to name a few. So far, only its use for managing osteoarthritis pain is supported by scientific evidence. One study showed that an arnica gel provided similar pain relief to topical ibuprofen (an NSAID) for osteoarthritis. Even so, topical arnica products have a similar, if not worse, side effect profile compared with topical NSAIDs. Common products containing Arnica include: Boiron Arnicare Gel 2.6 Ounce Topical Pain Relief GelArnicare CreamArnica-Menthol Organic Magic BalmArnica + K Cream While Arnica is commonly used in food and homeopathic treatment, there are some concerns related to its safety. Be sure to use only as directed. Eating the Arnica plant, topical creams, or ointments, or the plant extracts or oil can result in serious poisoning. Additionally, don't use Arnica if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, have allergies to ragweed or related plants, on broken skin, have digestive issues, have a high heart rate, or before surgery. Arnica can be unsafe when taken by mouth. Speak with your healthcare provider and follow the dosage recommendations on any products containing Arnica. Capsaicin Capsaicin is a chemical compound derived from chili peppers. It's commonly used to relieve minor pain in muscles and joints caused by arthritis, backaches, muscle strains, bruises, cramps, and sprains. This substance works by affecting nerve cells in the skin that are associated with pain, which results in decreased activity of these nerve cells and a reduced sense of pain. Capsaicin is potent and is in small doses in muscle rubs. Capsaicin creams, gels, oils, and other products contain between 0.025% and 0.075% of the substance. Capsaicin can also be applied by a healthcare provider at a higher concentration after the application of a topical anesthetic. Over-the-counter options include: Capzasin-P: A capsaicin 0.1% topical analgesic cream Zostrix: A capsaicin 0.033% topical analgesic cream Zostrix Maximum Strength: A capsaicin 0.075% topical analgesic cream This chemical can cause burning or stinging pain, and ingestion can lead to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. If the chemical comes in contact with your eyes, it can be extremely painful and even cause conjunctivitis or blepharospasm. Side Effects of Topical Capsaicin Menthol Menthol is a common active ingredient in topical pain relief products. It provides a cold sensation once applied. Similar to capsaicin, it desensitizes nerve cells in the skin. The substance can feel nice on the skin, but it cannot alleviate inflammation. Instead, it works to override the pain sensation with a cooling sensation. Menthol can be paired with other ingredients to add to its cooling power. It's found in the following OTC products: BenGay Cold TherapyIcy Hot NaturalsIcy Hot Advanced Relief PatchSalonsip Gel PatchAspercreme Heat Pain Relieving GelAspercreme MaxBenGay Zero DegreesMentholatum Sports Pain Relief ColdTiger Balm Ultra Menthol and capsaicin cause local heat. When using creams that contain these ingredients, wear gloves or judiciously wash your hands, since accidentally getting it in your eyes can lead to serious irritation. Lidocaine Lidocaine is an anesthetic (numbing medicine) that works by blocking the transmission of nerve signals. It is used to relieve itching as well as pain and discomfort from eczema, minor burns, scrapes, insect bites, hemorrhoids, and other conditions. It is also used to numb areas of the body before a surgery. Common brands of topical lidocaine include: LidotrexRegenecareRenuu PatchVexa-DVopac If lidocaine is ingested, it can cause numbness of the mouth and throat, which can lead to trouble swallowing or choking. If a large amount is ingested, it can also get into the bloodstream, leading to serious symptoms like seizures, coma, or cardiac arrest. Consult a healthcare provider before using lidocaine. Turmeric Turmeric might be a familiar name to you. It has a chemical called curcumin, which can help decrease swelling, especially in arthritis. One study found that topical administration of a curcumin 5% ointment significantly reduced knee pain in older adults with knee osteoarthritis. Muscle cream products that contain turmeric include: Jointflex Pain Relief Cream with TurmericBiofreeze Pain Relief CreamEveryday Medical Turmeric Pain Relieving Cream Turmeric is a natural ingredient. Therefore, there are limited concerns about the safety of the substance. Do not take turmeric products if you are allergic to turmeric or any ingredients contained in this drug. How to Apply Muscle Cream Before using a muscle cream, speak with your healthcare provider or pharmacist to make sure it's safe for you. When applying a muscle cream, the first step is washing and drying your hands. Next, read the packaging completely to note the dose recommendation, directions, and warnings. Apply the cream to the affected area or where you feel pain. Some muscle creams can be applied up to four times per day. Be sure to follow the directions and do not use more than recommended. Wash your hands after application, and store the cream in a safe and cool place. Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers and Fever Reducers Possible Side Effects The effects of muscle creams vary depending on the ingredients, but generally, there are some particular side effects to keep in mind: Redness, warmth, stinging, or burningRare but serious side effects such as blistering, swelling, severe redness, increased or unusual pain, nausea, vomiting, ringing in the earsA serious allergic reaction, which is rare but may happen with symptoms like a rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, and trouble breathing If you have any of the above symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away. 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Harvard Health Publishing. Rubbing it in. Kriplani P, Guarve K, Baghael US. Arnica montana L. - a plant of healing: review. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2017 Aug;69(8):925-945. doi: 10.1111/jphp.12724 MedlinePlus. Arnica. Cameron M, Chrubasik S. Topical herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 May 31;5(5):CD010538. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010538 MedlinePlus. Capsaicin topical. Pergolizzi JV Jr, Taylor R Jr, LeQuang JA, Raffa RB; NEMA Research Group. The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2018 Jun;43(3):313-319. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.12679 Cleveland Clinic. Lidocaine topical lotion. Jamali N, Adib-Hajbaghery M, Soleimani A. The effect of curcumin ointment on knee pain in older adults with osteoarthritis: a randomized placebo trial. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020 Oct 8;20(1):305. doi: 10.1186/s12906-020-03105-0 By Kimberly Charleson Kimberly is a health and wellness content writer crafting well-researched content that answers your health questions. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit