Cream for muscle and joint pain can be used on specific areas where you feel discomfort or in conjunction with oral pain relievers. Unlike pills, the pain relief in these creams is absorbed directly through your skin, making them well-suited for joints and muscles that are closer to the surface of your body. They also work faster than a pain reliever that travels through your bloodstream and can reach the area directly.

Most over-the-counter (OTC) pain creams have ingredients like menthol or camphor that are helpful in soothing your skin and counteracting inflammation, but there are others that provide other pain relieving benefits. NOW Solutions Joint & Muscle Cream for example contains glucosamine, which helps with the cartilage in your joints, as well as capsaicin, boswellia extract and natural methyl salicylate. More info kendramar.com

Relax and Revive: Creams for Soothing Muscle and Joint Tension

Other products, such as Bengay and Icy Hot, are combination creams that have a higher concentration of menthol than a single brand. They also include other pain relieving substances like camphor, eucalyptus oil and methyl salicylate. If you have an allergic reaction to aspirin or are taking any other medications, consult your doctor before using products containing salicylates.

The pain relievers in these creams are generally safe if you have mild or moderate arthritis, but may not work as well if the arthritis is in a deeper joint, such as your hip or knee. These creams are not typically used for inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, but they may be beneficial in some cases of arthritis flares in addition to your RA medications.