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The twinge in your back after sleeping the wrong way. The soreness in your quads, knees, calves… actually, every part of your legs after running a half marathon. The stiffness in your wrists after typing all day. Pushing through this type of discomfort might be your default, but there’s a solution that helps you feel better quickly: muscle pain relief creams. They’re made with ingredients that temporarily soothe symptoms so you can live more comfortably, and there’s lots of effective options available over the counter.
As someone who lives a very active lifestyle, I’m constantly sore, so I tested over a dozen muscle pain relief creams to find out which ones actually work. I also consulted doctors and physical therapists about what to pay attention to while evaluating options, and the do’s and don’ts of using them. Here’s everything you need to know.
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One of the most common active ingredients in over the counter muscle creams is menthol, which has a cooling, almost icy and minty sensation that’s meant to distract you from discomfort, says Thomas Cunningham, a doctor of physical therapy and board-certified clinical specialist in orthopedics at the Hospital for Special Surgery. When I think of that feeling, I’m immediately reminded of what I experience after applying Biofreeze to sore spots. I buy the colorless gel that comes in a roller applicator, and my skin starts tingling in the best way as soon as it makes contact. The gel dries very quickly and doesn’t leave behind any residue, so I can put it on under clothes without worrying about it rubbing onto fabric.
I religiously roll this muscle cream on all my achy spots before bed.
If you don’t love the cooling (or warming) sensation that’s common among muscle pain relief creams, try one made with lidocaine, an active ingredient that gets rid of discomfort by numbing the area you apply it to, says Dr. Kevin Farmer, an orthopedic surgeon at University of Florida Health. My top pick is Tylenol’s Precise Pain Relieving Cream, which I’ve used for years. Since it doesn’t have a cooling or warming effect, which can be a little distracting, I put it on and practically forget I did until I realize how much duller my muscle pain got. I’m an especially big fan of the roller applicator that’s on this cream’s tube: It’s made from three metal balls that are cold against my skin and give it a little massage.
When you see “extra-strong” (or some version of that) on a muscle cream’s packaging, it means the product has a higher concentration of active ingredients compared to the brand’s standard formulation, says Cunningham. Icy Hot’s Advanced Pro (a.k.a. extra-strong) cream is a good example: It’s made with 16 percent menthol, while the original formulation has 10 percent menthol.
Since this muscle pain relief cream is on the stronger side, I save it for post-workout recovery. I reach for it after challenging strength training workouts or long runs, like half marathons, because it gives me fast relief and an extra intense tingle-y cool to soothing warm feeling wherever I apply it. The cream comes in a squeezy tube with a hands-free massaging applicator, and the tube is compact, so I can fit it in my gym bag.
Bengay’s Ultra Strength muscle cream is the only option on this list that uses three active ingredients to relieve aches and pains. When you apply it to problem areas, it has an immediate cooling effect, which gradually turns into a gentle warm feeling that lasts for up to eight hours, according to the brand. It comes in a tube that’s on the smaller side, which I appreciate for travel’s sake since I can stuff it in my toiletry bag, but I find myself having to buy it more often than other creams I’ve tried. That said, it typically costs around $10 or less, so I can’t complain that much.
Those dealing with arthritis and other types of inflammatory conditions benefit most from creams classified as topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), says Farmer. You could previously only get topical NSAIDs via a prescription, but as of 2020, there’s one available over the counter. The most popular version of it is sold under the brand name Voltaren.
Voltaren’s cream relieves joint pain, improves mobility and reduces stiffness, according to the brand. It comes in a tube with an easy-twist cap, which you can open with your palm or finger, as well as with one hand — in fact, the thoughtful packaging earned it an Ease of Use Certification from the Arthritis Foundation. You also get an included dosing card to follow. Note: Voltaren is a medicated topical, so the experts I talked to recommend consulting your doctor before using it and following the directions exactly as specified.
Using a spray formula, like this one from Vick’s, is the easiest, quickest way to apply a pain-relieving topical to a large or hard-to-reach part of your body. It’s ideal for back pain, for example. You use the lightweight, fast-absorbing spray similar to how you apply spray sunscreen: hold the nozzle a few inches away from your skin, spray the product on and rub it in. The only downside to a pain-relieving spray is that it can be messy — when you apply it, the formula might get on your walls or floor due to the wide spray area, so be careful or use it outside.
Alternative muscle creams are made with plant-based ingredients like arnica, which may have anti-inflammatory effects. “The evidence is promising, but not definitive,” says Cunningham. “Some people report meaningful relief from soreness and bruising, while others notice little difference.” Overall, experts agree that arnica-based muscle creams are relatively useful for managing symptoms, but like all other options, you’ll need to address underlying issues for total relief.
Penetrex’s muscle pain relief cream is formulated with arnica, so I was curious to try it after having so much success with standard options. Overall, I felt mild pain relief post-application, which I ultimately appreciated — I’ve gotten into the habit of consistently using Penetrex’s cream for subtle aches and pains, and reserving my stronger creams for more noticeable problem areas, especially after workouts.
