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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
The best pain-relief cream for you depends on the type of pain you're dealing with. Image Credit: monstArrr_/iStock/GettyImages In This Article How We Chose Best Overall Best for Back Pain Best for Joint Pain Best for Shingles Best Cold Therapy Best Hot Therapy Best Hot-Cold Therapy Best on a Budget Best Homeopathic Best for a Massage What to Look For How Pain-Relief Creams Work Safety Tips Sore shoulder? Achy knee? If ice or hot packs don't seem to be helping, an over-the-counter topical pain-relief cream can offer more serious soothing power."When used after proper evaluation, they can be effective in various chronic pain conditions, not just limited to back pain or arthritis," Vivek Mehta, MD, pain management physician at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, tells LIVESTRONG.com. "In many situations, they have excellent tolerability because of low systemic absorption of drugs and usually a low incidence of side effects."But with so many options to choose from, it can be tough to tell whether a cream in question will give you the relief you need. Here are expert-backed picks that deliver, plus tips on buying the best pain-relief cream and using it safely.How We Chose We spoke with a pain management specialist to round up the best pain-relief creams, with the following criteria in mind:Active ingredientsCostDelivery methodThe Best Pain-Relief Creams Best Overall: Ultra-Strength BENGAY Pain Relief Cream ($7.37, Amazon) Best for Back Pain: Aspercreme Maximum Strength Pain Relief Creme With Aloe ($6.12, Walmart.com) Best for Joint Pain: Voltaren Arthritis Pain Relief Gel ($10.46, Walmart.com)Best for Shingles: Zostrix Maximum Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream ($21.81, Amazon)Best Cold Therapy: Biofreeze Cream ($11.98, Amazon) Best Hot Therapy: Flexpower Warm Lotion ($72, Flexpower.com) Best Hot-Cold Therapy: Icy Hot Max Strength Pain Relief Cream With Lidocaine ($7.49, Amazon) Best on a Budget: Tiger Balm Extra Strength Pain Relieving Ointment ($5.76, Walmart.com)Best Homeopathic: Penetrex Joint & Muscle Therapy ($18.95, Amazon)Best for a Massage: Free-Up Professional Massage Cream ($29.94, Walmart.com) 1. Ultra-Strength BENGAY Pain Relief Cream Best Overall Pros Non-greasyNumbs and soothesMinor aches and pains or the occasional sprain or strain respond to creams like BENGAY, which contains a local anesthetic plus a soothing agent, says Medhat Mikhael, MD, pain management specialist and medical director of the non-operative program at the Spine Health Center at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California."It has an analgesic effect with cold and a vasodilating effect with heat that improve healing
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