How Analgesic Rubs Works
Formulated to provide rapid relief from muscular and joint pain,
an analgesic
rub is an effective, if somewhat temporary solution, that is
most usually applied topically. That is, to the affected area.
Suitable for sprains,
muscle ache, tired feet, and neck and back pain, analgesic rubs
work by
dilating the blood vessels and thereby facilitating blood flow,
allowing
more blood to reach closer to the skin's surface, which in turn
increases
circulation and warmth. It is this sensation of warmth and numbness
that
'alleviates' pain. However, because analgesic medicines do not penetrate
deeply enough, they cannot be used to stop inflammation. Active
ingredients
typically include camphor, menthol, salicylate and a host of other
oils
designed to soothe and act as a local anesthetic.
The benefits of analgesic balms are relatively self-evident: they
are a
simple, easy-to-use solution and can be applied to most regions
of the body,
from the chest to the arms to the legs and feet. Moreover, because
they aid
in blood circulation, analgesic creams can be used before exercising
to help
prevent injury in the first instance as opposed to merely relieving
the pain
from injury. That being said, pain-relieving rubs are extremely
toxic and
under no circumstances should they be ingested into the body.
Topical analgesics come in numerous shapes and forms (some even
in
spray-form application) and among the most well-known of these products
are
the likes of:
- Tiger Balm
Originally developed in Rangoon and now sold in more than 100
countries,
Tiger Balm purports to have been created by a Chinese herbalist
using a
formula once reserved only for Chinese Emperors. After his death,
the
product was sold by his son in Malaysia and Singapore before finding
acclaim
the world over.
- BenGay
Created by Dr. Bengue, a French pharmacist, in the late 1800s,
BenGay is a
product of Pfizer medical company. It is a medicated analgesic
salve
currently available in five different forms. Namely, Arthritis
Extra
Strength, Muscle Pain Ultra Strength, ICE Extra Strength, Original,
and
Muscle Pain No Odour.
- Aspercreme
A product of Chattem, Inc. (another company begun in the late
1800s) aspirin
free, Aspercreme is available in patch and salve form, among others.
It's an
odorless, greaseless rub that offers temporary relief from minor
arthritis
pain, acting quickly in the applied area without burning. Use
as necessary
up to four times daily. The active ingredient is Trolamine Salicylate,
along
with soothing inactive ingredients such as aloe vera gel, mineral
oil and
water.
There you have it, more information about the world of analgesic
creams than
you ever thought you'd need. And in fact, probably more than you
ever will
need. The best part about all of this you ask? Well, you don't need
to
hobble around on your weary feet looking for the best prices on
anaelgesic
rub products; simply let your fingers do all the work by clicking
on the
links to the right-hand side of this article.
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