20 replies to this topic

[M0606]

What anti-inflammatory cream do you use on muscle injurys?

Are there some good natural creams?

I get sore calfs every now and then so I use Voltaran, however I am interested in what others use that is good.

Thanks

[chrisso]

Chemist Own Diclofenac same as Voltaran but cheaper

As for natural, don't know, don't think anything 'natural' will actually work as a topical anti-inflammatory... Aspirin would probably be the closest to a natural anti-inflammatory there is

Other stuff might make the area feel warm/hot etc and distract you from the underlying muscle pain

[Ultramouse]

Arnica cream is a natural cream and therefore quite trendy. It seems to do as much good as Voltaren or Nurofen gels.

[Tuttle]

A physio advised me that the creams are of only limited use - much of the cream or gel evaporates - but that one way to improve their efficacy is to wrap the affected area in glad wrap (!!) after applying the gel.  

Presumably someone with more knowledge than me can comment on this suggestion?

And, of course, ice is a very good (& cheap) anti-inflammatory......

Cheers/Chris

[loubee]

 Tuttle, on 20 July 2012 - 06:22 PM, said:

A physio advised me that the creams are of only limited use - much of the cream or gel evaporates - but that one way to improve their efficacy is to wrap the affected area in glad wrap (!!) after applying the gel.  

My physio said the same. I use anti-infammatory patches, they stay on for a few days and really seep right in. Give me nightmares an can't buy in Aus, buy in Bali. Bloody great.

[sportsphysio]

 M0606, on 20 July 2012 - 02:51 PM, said:

What anti-inflammatory cream do you use on muscle injurys?

None. Muscle injuries aren't inflammatory in nature so the only thing that the cream can offer is a cooling/heating sensation. If you want that, go buy some Dencorub. Neither will be of any assistance to a muscle injury.

 Tuttle, on 20 July 2012 - 06:22 PM, said:

A physio advised me that the creams are of only limited use.

And, of course, ice is a very good (& cheap) anti-inflammatory......

The anti-inflammatory gels are of very very limited use. To state the obvious, they work on inflammatory problems, not pain, and only penetrate in a few mm so the structure must be quite close to the surface. This mainly applies to hands and feet.

For deeper problems and/or pain-related problems, ice can cover both bases.

Also good to note that oral anti-inflammatories can actually increase bleeding associated with muscle injuries and cartilage tears as well as disrupting bone recovery/healing. Using them for miscellaneous aches and pains can actually worsen the problem and lead to stress fractures.

For more info on when to use ice, heat and anti-inflammatories, have a look at http://sydneyrunning...which-one-when/

[tonedbutt]

 ultramouse, on 20 July 2012 - 04:00 PM, said:

Arnica cream is a natural cream and therefore quite trendy. It seems to do as much good as Voltaren or Nurofen gels.

I've found arnica gel effective for muscular pain, especially the overuse type.  I like to take 2 arnica tablets (I think they are the Brauer brand) as soon as possible after running or working out to minimise overuse pain the next day.  I am not a very trendy person either.

[Caterpillar]

a systematic review on anti inflammatory gels can be viewed at:

http://www.bmj.com/c...6/7128/333.full

[Duf]

I have found fisiocrem very helpful

[Slacker]

Rapigel - used by footballers, racehorses, greyhounds...

buy from your vet or pet supply store

also used for arthritis pain

[Gordo31]

 Slacker, on 27 July 2012 - 08:44 PM, said:

Rapigel - used by footballers, racehorses, greyhounds...

buy from your vet or pet supply store

also used for arthritis pain

+1

When I bought mine at my pet supply store, the lady said that she's never sold one for an animals use yet.

[M0606]

Funny, I make Rapigel, never thought of using it on myself.

[tonedbutt]

Must Google Rapigel...

[tonedbutt]

Well I Googled Rapigel and it is very disappointing.  Its active ingredients are menthol, camphor and alcohol.  Might as well stick with the Deep Heat/Dencorub etc.

[cRJrun]

Have discovered Percutane made in NZ and can only be purchased online from there at the moment. All natural and it works! It also burns(hot) like hell when your body heats up and wear a glove when applying as it's hard to wash off and you may find it being applied to tender areas and not notice till it makes it's prescence known...!

[tonedbutt]

I have Percutane.  It's really strong as the previous poster states.  Also have Pain Away, which is ok but more for joints I think.

[OliveOil]

 Ultramouse, on 20 July 2012 - 04:00 PM, said:

Arnica cream is a natural cream and therefore quite trendy. It seems to do as much good as Voltaren or Nurofen gels.

+1 for Arnica.

[tonedbutt]

Heard another one advertised today, sounded like "Thermalife"?  Has anyone used this?

[tonedbutt]

^{So I bought some Thermalife today and tried it out on my protesting legs.  They feel pretty comfy now.}

[jmem]

i use a combo of antiinflamitory gel (just chemist brand)  on a particular spot on my knee,   arnica cream (also brilliant for bruising)  and physio cream .  Love the physio cream on all muscle aches  but is is expensive. also ice packs on my knee immediately after my run  and for a few hours after.    have tried ice brand  gel but find it is not as good as the physio cream.  
Also use compression tights when running and after.
I might check out some of the other creams mentioned in the thread .  i'm always happy to try anything except neurofen and voltaren gels. (they seem to flare up the athsma beautifully )

[chrisso]

Is the Arnica cream a homeopathic preparation? If it is you might be better off ($$) with just a normal balm type cream, I certainly couldn't find anything (googlin') to indicate that it actually works above placebo effect.