recommend me topical muscle-pain relief

[kate_nepveu]

For extremely tight muscles: menthol, menthol and camphor, or capsaicin? Bonus if you can vouch for non-stinky brands.

(No Aspercreme or equivalent.)

Comments

[lbmango.livejournal.com]

Bathtub with epsom salts?

[avitzur.livejournal.com]

I use arnica. It is aromatic, though. To be honest, I've never been able to discern whether the benefit derives from the helenalins, or just from the massage and heat applying it.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

Capsaicin is good for me. Avoid ANYTHING with wintergreen listed as an ingredient.

I like Capszasin-P:

http://www.amazon.com/Capzasin-P-Analgesic-035-Percent-Capsaicin-1-5-Ounce/dp/B000FKGHBQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1208901181&sr=1-2

The extra-strength (not shown here) is best.

DO wash wash wash your hands after applying.

[leighdb.livejournal.com]

I always favored a plain old heating pad, myself. Always worked better than any of that topical Icy-Hot-ish stuff for me.

That's for shoulder/back/leg pain, though. If we're talking about pregnant belly muscles, I don't know whether applying heat directly to the area is recommended.

[missysedai.livejournal.com]

NOT Capzacin-HP if your skin is in the slightest bit sensitive.

I had an exceedingly unpleasant experience (http://missysedai.livejournal.com/258975.html).

Though I've yet to find something non-stinky, I find menthol very helpful when dealing with RA flares.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

Tiger Balm uses camphor and menthol. It's quite effective, but stinky and makes the area feel very hot. Worth trying if you've never tried it; a lot of people swear by it.

[janni.livejournal.com]

If you can find a place that's affordable, massage. :-) Which I believe can be done in ways that are pregnancy-safe. (At least according to the local massage school where I get occasional massages.)

[theweaselking.livejournal.com]

I'm a fan of general bog-standard Deep Cold-style liniments. They're what I used to use when I was fighting.

At the same time, I have no idea what the active ingredients were. And I prefered a hot bath followed by a standard amateur massage, when I could get it. So I'm really not helpful, here.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

Tiger balm is menthol and camphor and works fine and is perfectly safe when pregnant (but I had hot baths too, fortunately not knowing I shouldn't) but it smells very strongly and gets on the sheets.