Pain is the epitome of “Can’t live with it, can’t live without it.” We need pain to alert us to problems with our bodies, but pain also leads to agony and suffering. As a result, pain relief and management have become essential components of modern health and medicine.
Most readers know that modern pain relief includes ingredients that weren’t even legal a few years ago. Meanwhile, medications once commonly prescribed to anyone with pain and a pulse are now reserved for extreme cases due to their highly addictive properties. The average person struggling with pain is increasingly unsure of what to take.
The good news is that modern over-the-counter pain relief products come in various forms. Through trial and error, those struggling with chronic pain can experiment with these products until they find the ones that work best.
The following are seven popular pain relief products for your consideration:
Creams
From arthritis to muscle soreness, topical creams provide temporary relief from common sources of pain and discomfort. The ingredients found in popular pain relief creams include aloe vera, cannabidiol, lidocaine, and menthol. While they work fast, many pain relief creams are notoriously odorous and greasy. That makes them a practical solution in most instances but potentially troublesome in others. The effects of topical pain relief creams tend to last a few hours before requiring reapplication.
Sprays
Another form of topical pain reliever, sprays are less messy than creams while providing almost instantaneous relief. Sprays tend to include the same ingredients as creams. For instance, CBD pain relief spray contains cannabidiol combined with camphor and menthol. While many pain relief sprays have aerosol propellants, others are propellant-free. Like creams, the effects of pain relief sprays tend to wear off after a few hours, requiring individuals to reapply several times throughout the day.
Capsules
Perhaps the most popular pain relief product on the planet, capsules are easy to take, start working relatively fast, and keep pain at bay for hours. The most common types of pain reliever capsules contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. These are commonly sold under the brand names Bayer, Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve, respectively.
Edibles
Foods and beverages containing THC and CBD are becoming popular pain relief products and for good reason. Studies show these compounds are highly effective in treating mild to moderate pain. Furthermore, edibles have become a staple of chemotherapy and others who struggle with chronic nausea. These products help alleviate nausea and promote a healthy appetite.
Oils
Many so-called essential oils provide lasting pain relief when applied to the skin’s surface. Popular examples include peppermint, eucalyptus, and clove oil, but that’s not all. Arnica, lemongrass, ginger, cypress, and sandalwood oils are also said to provide topical pain relief. However, these and other essential oils must always be mixed with a carrier oil, such as olive or coconut, to prevent irritation.
Salts
Warm baths are a traditional way to alleviate mild to moderate muscle pain. But why stop there? Certain products like Epsom salt can be added to the water to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Other popular bath salts contain such ingredients as thyme, baking soda, borax, and table salt. To avoid irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, those using bath salts for pain relief must follow the instructions to the letter.
Patches
Pain relief patches are adhesive strips of cloth coated in CBD oil, lidocaine, or another topical pain reliever. These patches can be placed on sore shoulders, sprained ankles, and other parts of the body in an attempt to alleviate pain for several hours. Pain relief patches come in various shapes and sizes, giving sufferers the chance to successfully apply patches to any part of the body.
Pain is one of those things nobody wants, but everybody needs. Without it, we’d fail to address injuries and other ailments in time to provide adequate treatment. With that said, pain relief is oftentimes the only way for someone to make it through the day without falling apart due to crippling agony. Fortunately, many over-the-counter products are designed to help alleviate pain without causing further harm to the body.
Michael Driver is a freelance writer from Texas. He enjoys covering topics related to health, history, movies, and sports. Michael can be reached at ReddishRaddish87@Gmail.com.
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