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A Brief Review Of Topical Pain Relievers

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A Brief Review Of Topical Pain Relievers

On September 23, 2018, Posted by , In Uncategorized, With No Comments

I have tried a fair amount of topical pain relieving substances over the years, both prescription and non-prescription. These are of course only for localized pain, which for me, is typically due to a flare up where 1-3 locations are far more painful than the rest and oral medications just don not seem to touch the pain. While I won’t list all of the things I have used over the years, i will list the ones I use most frequently today.

#1 – Raw Coconut Oil

I cannot express how much coconut oil targets and relives my inflammation more than anything else I have ever tried. When the pain gets so bad nothing else touches it, coconut oil is my 100% go-to. It’s widely available, cheap, fragrance free, and does not leave a residue on my skin. If you have never tired coconut oil for localized pain, give it a shot. I promise you will not be disappointed. Just get it from your local grocery store, often found in the baking aisle. You may also find it at drugstores and even some Dollar Tree stores.

#2 Peppermint Oil

Not just your standard menthol cream, peppermint oil extract place directly at the site of pain is such a big pain reliever. Granted, the smell can be a bit overwhelming, but the pain relieving effect is sometimes worth smelling like a candy-cane. You can find peppermint oil extract at any local place that sells extracts or any vitamins. You can also find it online through Amazon, Ebay, Walmart, etc.

#3 Lidocaine/Lidoderm Patches (Prescription Only)

These medium sized patches stick to your skin and numb your pain. Granted, this mainly on works with surface/skin pain, and joint and muscular pain (not so much with nerve pain), but it works quite effectively. Sadly, it doesn’t really reduce the problem, it mainly just masks it.

#4 Diclofenac Sodium Gel 3% (Prescription Only)

This is some pretty potent stuff for reliving inflammation and pain. Not as good as as coconut oil, but fairly comparable to peppermint oil without the pungent aroma. There is a slight smell to it, and it is a bit greasy feeling, but it works.

#5 Diclofenac Sodium Gel 1% (Prescription Only)

Not as effective as the 3%, but more commonly prescribed.

 

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