Best Pain Relief Cream for Joint Pain

If you’re looking for a safe and natural solution for joint pain (at least if it’s not a severe case), a pain relief cream is a great option. A good quality pain relief can kick it to the curb, accelerate muscle recovery, and improve your range of motion.

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Eventually, it can also enhance your daily life. So, keep reading to learn more about pain relief creams for joint pain and find which suits you.

Joint Pain: Symptoms, Causes, and Home Remedies

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Joint pain can be inflammation, pain, or discomfort from any joint part. This type of pain can include the tendons, muscles, ligaments, bone, or cartilage.

Additionally, you can feel it in your knee, shoulder, hip, hand (including fingers and wrist), foot (including toes and ankle), elbow, and neck. However, it most commonly refers to arthralgia (joint pain without inflammation) and arthritis (inflammatory joint conditions). <1>

It is common, especially as people get older. The causes can also be a longer-lasting problem, including arthritis or an injury. The symptoms can give you an idea of what may be causing the pain. However, avoid self-diagnosing, especially if the pain keeps returning and preventing you from walking normally.

Home remedies include the following:

• Resting the affected joint whenever you can
• Putting an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the affected area for 20 minutes every two to three hours
• Losing weight if you’re overweight
• Taking painkillers, like paracetamol

However, avoid taking ibuprofen in the first 48 hours after suffering from an injury.

Can a Topical Cream Relieve Joint Pain?

Yes, a quality topical cream can relieve it. This cream absorbs through your skin over your painful joints. It also works well on joints close to the skin surface, like joints in the knees and hands.

Some pain relief creams can make your skin sting or burn, although the discomfort generally lessens after a few weeks. Therefore, washing your hands thoroughly after every application and avoiding touching your eyes is best.

10 Best Pain Relief Cream for Joint Pain of 2023

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1. ChemiPower CarnoSport

Why We Picked It

ChemiPower, in cooperation with Tartu Pharmacology Institute, developed the CarnoSport gel that relieves joint pain.

While it is often used to reduce muscle fatigue and improve muscle performance, it is as effective in improving joint, ligament, and tendon health. It also accelerates muscle recovery and shortens downtime.

Even better, this sports gel is doping-free and has been approved by all sports federations, regardless of competition and difficulty level. The skin absorbs this cream faster than others, thanks to its gel-type consistency. As a result, it provides quicker relief than oral pain meds.

Moreover, it contains carnosine known to possess pain suppression effects or anti-nociceptive activity in mice. <2> This dipeptide also has anti-inflammatory, antiglycation, and antioxidative properties that may have a role in preventing chronic diseases. <3>

The carnosine content in CarnoSport is formed from the amino acids beta-alanine (BA) and L- histidine. BA has the potential to enhance performance by decreasing muscle fatigue and increasing exercise capacity. <4> However, use only a tiny palmful of this gel directly on targeted areas.

Key Features

• Doping-free
• Improves joint, ligament, and tendon health
• Approved for us by all sports federations
• Gel-type consistency
• Provides quick relief
• Carnosine as its main ingredient, known to prevent chronic diseases and is anti-inflammatory

2. Sayman Salve Wonder Rub

Why We Picked It

Another joint cream that earned our recommendation is the Sayman Salve Wonder Rub. It contains powerful pain fighters: the max strength lidocaine and a botanical blend that desensitizes aggravated nerves.

These two components work together to dull the pain, reduce swelling and inflammation, and eventually relieve stiff joints.

Lidocaine has been studied for its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent and has a potential role in the management of chronic knee pain. <5,6> It is also a numbing medication that is a common ingredient in OTC topical medications.

Another active ingredient in this cream is arnica, which creates a cooling sensation. The hemp oil content, meanwhile, targets cannabinoid receptors and inflammation. This cream has almost no odor.

For application, apply a thin layer to affected areas every six to eight hours. Do not exceed three applications in 24 hours.

Key Features

• Cooling sensation
• Reduces swelling and inflammation
• Relieves stiff joints
• Contains max strength lidocaine

3. Aspercreme Cream for Joint and Arthritis Pain Relief

Why We Picked It

If you prefer fragrance-free creams for joint pain, check out this Aspercreme Cream.

This cream relieves aches, sprains, strains, and joint pain. It is also non-greasy, so you can use it anywhere and anytime without worrying about that medicated smell or a strong fragrance.

Key Features

• Unscented
• Fast-acting relief
• Lower price compared to other pain relief creams in the market
• Contains moisturizing aloe to soothe skin

4. Rub on Relief Fast Acting Pain and Ache Relief Natural Cream

Why We Picked It

The key ingredient in this product is cetyl myristoleate cream (CMO). It is a patented fat molecule that signals the nerve cells to soothe aching muscles and joints.

Another plus point is its unique blend of natural ingredients that you won’t find in other foot, back, or knee creams. You won’t even feel the burning sensation despite containing camphor natural gum and peppermint leaf oil.

Just be aware that not everyone who used this product enjoyed the scent. Some claim it has a faint citrus scent that doesn’t linger. Yet, a few said it had a strong menthol smell initially.

Furthermore, it contains arnica that calms the skin while camphor and peppermint oil cool it off. <7>

Key Features

• No burning feeling
• Contains a faint citrus scent that doesn’t linger
• Provides both hot and cold sensation for joint pain relief

5. Zostrix Maximum Strength Natural Pain Relief Cream

Why We Picked It

This cream contains capsaicin, the main chemical that makes chili paper. So, expect that it will sting a little in the beginning. However, that ingredient reduces your nerves’ pain (Substance P).

Thus, it can effectively reduce tenderness and pain in affected joints and doesn’t have significant safety problems. <8> However, this cream is not for you if you prefer a cooling product to relieve joint pain.

Key Features

• Provides warm, penetrating muscle and joint pain relief
• Non-greasy and odor-free
• Naturally blocks the body’s pain messenger

6. Bengay Ultra Strength Topical Pain Relief Cream

Why We Picked It

Bengay Ultra Strength Topical Pain Relief Cream is one of the best pain relief creams on the market today. Therefore, it’s worth adding to this list.

This cream contains three pain-relieving ingredients for ultra-strong relief, including methyl salicylate, menthol, and camphor. These ingredients penetrate the skin for mild arthritis and back pain relief. It likewise soothes other minor aches, bruises, and sprains.

However, be mindful that it contains salicylate, an ingredient used to treat pain, inflammation, and fever. If you overdo it, you may experience some side effects. <9>

Overall, topical arthritis creams, like Bengay, are considered effective and safe and have less side effects than oral NSAIDs.

Key Features

• Provides relief for sore muscles and joints
• No mess application; comes in a convenient tube
• Potent formulation

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7. Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel

Why We Picked It

If you prefer a non-greasy formula like ChemiPower’s CarnoSport, your next best option is Voltaren.

Compared to joint or arthritis cream, this formula is fast-acting and works triple duty. It also improves mobility, relieves joint pain and arthritis aches, and reduces stiffness for overall joint pain support.

Moreover, it contains diclofenac sodium (NSAID), which works below the skin surface and targets where it hurts. Like other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Diclofenac inhibits COX enzyme and alleviates joint pain from the inside out. <10>

Key Features

• Improves mobility
• Non-greasy formula
• Combines the benefits of arthritis pain and gel

8. IcyHot Pain Relieving Balm

Why We Picked It

IcyHot Pain Relieving Balm delivers a no-mess application and NSAID power. Once applied to the skin, it sends icy coolness to dull the pain. Afterward, it sends a warming sensation to relieve minor muscle aches.

This cream also helps relieve arthritis pain, strains, sprains, and more. Unlike other topical NSAIDs, it works on more pain receptors and penetrates the nerves.

To use this balm, apply it generously to the target area and massage until completely absorbed. Repeat the process, but not more than four times daily if necessary.

Key Features

• Helps relieve pain
• Affordable pricing
• Fast-acting relief

9. Penetrex’s Therapy Cream

Why We Picked It

This cream is loaded with natural ingredients to work effectively on joint pain. It contains vitamin B6, arnica, and MSM (known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects).

This combination of ingredients enables you to return to the life you once had, free of limitations from muscle and joint pain and discomfort. It’s also suitable for sensitive skin, unlike other topical pain relievers that rely on counterirritants.

Penetrex’s vague light peppermint smell is also a nice benefit. For people who suffer from conditions that cause chronic pain, such as plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, and arthritis, this pain relief cream may ease the pain away.

You can apply this therapy cream to the back, knee, hand, neck, feet, and other pain points. You can also use it as a patent solo treatment or partner with ice packs, heating pads, and supplements.

Key Features

• Good at relieving pain
• Premium experience in muscle recovery
• Non-sticky, non-greasy

10. Topricin Pain Relief Cream

Why We Picked It

This non-prescription pain relief cream is safe and effective. It makes a good alternative for people who can’t tolerate prescription and non-prescription oral pain medicines.

Topricin Pain Relief Cream also supports the body’s natural processes, healing the cells that cause headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, and nerve pain.

Like the fourth product in this list (Rub on Relief), Topricin also contains arnica. Such an active ingredient has been used for homeopathic medicinal purposes since the 1500s to soothe muscle aches, heal wounds, and reduce inflammation.

Use this cream locally on repetitive motion injuries, strains, lower back pain, and sprains. It is safe even for the elderly, children, and pregnant women.

Key Features

• Safe for all skin types
• Effective
• Gentle formula
• Does not interfere with any medication
• Can be a post-surgical pain relief

See a GP if:

• The pain keeps coming back or is getting worse
• It is accompanied by a fever
• It is affecting your sleep or stopping you from doing normal activities
• Your joints are stiff for more than half an hour after waking up
• There is unexplained weight loss of about 10 pounds or more
• The pain has not improved after trying home remedies for two weeks

Take Care of Your Joints

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These pain relief creams for joint pain were carefully handpicked based on their effectiveness, reviews, price points, and ingredients. We hope that you find one that works best for your needs.

Before you go, remember that a sedentary lifestyle causes more joint pain than physical activity. So, try to increase your joint mobility and have that muscle mass in your joints.

Take extra good care of yourself, and we send you some healing vibes.

It’s time to get back into the game rather than watch it go by. Get quick relief from joint pain, muscle pain, and soreness today with ChemiPower’s CarnoSport.

Article Resources:

<1> https://www.healthline.com/health/rheumatoid-arthritis/arthralgia

<2> https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014299908010182

<3> https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/3/e020623

<4> https://europepmc.org/article/med/19276843

<5> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19058888/

<6> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27485803/

<7> https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25451841/

<8> https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/

<9> https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/

<10> https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1185/03007995.2010.486301