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I have been using topical creams for pain relief since about 2010, so over 10 years of testing different ones. Today, I want to share with you four different types of topical pain relief solutions I am currently using plus what type of issues they help.

These creams are great for all types of pain: chronic pain, inflammation, muscle pain, and even nerve. Sometimes, you need a little something extra to make pain more bearable. This is why I started incorporating topical medicines many years ago.

Also, be sure to join us on Instagram stories for some behind the scenes on how I use these items plus more day to day tips ?

Four Topical Creams For Pain Relief

Before we start, please be sure to talk with your doctor about any chronic pain you are experiencing. I have rheumatoid arthritis, so I know what my pain is from. I also am recovering from knee surgery which has been an entirely knew type of pain!

It is really important to get things checked out in case something serious is going on.

This list is rated LEAST effective to most effective for pain management!

One. Voltaren Gel

This gel fits into the category of medicinal because it is a prescription medication. You can purchase it over the counter now though which is great! My rheumatologist prescribed this for me many years ago. The key ingredients are diclofenac which is an anti-inflammatory and also which is a.

I will go ahead and tell you this never helped rheumatoid arthritis pain for me! It didn’t even make a dent in it. It did help some tendonitis pain I had in my knee, and it has also helped some inflammatory pain from surgery.

It will deaden the aching enough to be bearable. My dad recently used some for the osteoarthritis pain in his elbow, and it helped for him.

To me, this is a very mild medicinal pain relief cream, but it can be very helpful for certain issues. Ask your doctor about it! Like I mentioned, you can purchase it over the counter now, so it is easier to try. I also saw they now make this gel specifically for arthritis, but I have not tried this type yet.

Rating: Least effective out of the four, but still worth trying.

Where to buy: Pharmacy

Two. Deep Blue Rub

About 4 years ago, I purchased this rub because so many people who sell essential oils told me it was very popular for RA. I used it for arthritic pain, but it never helped. It creates a menthol type cooling sensation where you rub it, but it didn’t even penetrate the deep rheumatoid arthritis burning. It did help muscle pain though! My husband uses it for shoulder pain, and he said it helps dull the ache for him.

It is a distraction type of relief, but one of the better essential oil-based creams I have bought. Many other brands I have tried don’t even help minor aches.

Rating: Not as effective as the other two in this post, but a good option to keep on hand for exercising or after exercising. Helpful for muscle pain.

Where to buy: I buy it online from Amazon.

Three. Chemistry Cachet’s DIY Joint Cream

I really like this DIY option. It works better than the deep blue rub, and has way less ingredients too. This doesn’t work as quickly because the essential oil takes awhile to penetrate your skin. It kicks in after about 30 minutes for me. It is also a good long-term solution to constant aches. If you use it daily for a few weeks, you will notice it working better too.

I like this because it is affordable, and great for all types of pain. This helps arthritic pain a little for me too. It is very effective on muscle, tendon, and joint pain. This is a great natural arthritis cream!

Rating: One of the more effective options, plus cheap and homemade too!

Where buy: Get the ingredient information in this post.

Four. CBD heated cream

There are many different brands out there for CBD cream. I have tried a few of them, and I have also taken CBD orally. The oral CBD drops did not help my pain or inflammation at all. I tried different brands, dosages, and tried it all of last year and part of this year. The CBD cream DID help though! This is the only topical rub I have used that immediately soothes the rheumatoid arthritis in my elbow. And it helps for many hours. During a flare, I will apply it a few times a day. It makes the pain much more manageable.

This particular brand contains CBD along with many essential oils to create a heating sensation, not really a menthol type of sensation. I really love it!

Rating: Most effective out of the four types!

Where to buy: This particular bottle a friend of mine purchased for me as a gift. She bought it in a store in Fort Worth. I did a google search, and you can find this brand online. I am sure you can find other brands with similar ingredients that will work the same too.

Do topical pain relief creams reduce swelling?

In my experience, they DO NOT reduce any swelling. They are strictly for reducing pain.

Do topical pain relief creams stop pain completely?

This is also in my experience, but no they don’t. They are a temporary option to make pain more bearable. Since they are topical, they don’t target the source of pain like something oral would. I think they make a good addition to your pain management regimen.

What is the best pain relief cream for arthritis?

The CBD cream above was the most helpful for arthritic pain. I would also recommend the DIY joint cream. I use both almost every week, and they have made arthritic pain more manageable for me!

Remember, it is so important to be talking to your doctor if you are dealing with arthritic pain because you need to be on something oral to treat symptoms directly!

Be sure to read our category tab for many posts on arthritis.

Let me know if you try any of these options!

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