topical treatments

[Lizzy]

how do people rate the usage of topical creams such as ibuprofen and heat rubs?
do these work?
why use a heat rub in favour of ibuprofen?
can you use ibuprofen topically at the same time as taking tablets?

I am just wondering if these are a waste of money?

[uscofa]

Hi Lizzy, I have used both tablet and cream Ibuprofen together, Id probably stick to just the tablets. You need a lotion that is proven to penertrate the skin. I quite like the cooling gels, these give relief but dont cure a problem.

I like the "cheap" muscle rubs, absolutely stink but seem to calm my sore leg down a lot. To be honest a lot of people say its the gentle rubbing action of application not the cream itself that helps!

In terms of value for money, Id stick to the tablets only and massage the pain away with a nice lotion.

Iain

[Heidi]

Hi

Creams, be they warming, cooling or otherwise are not as good as the real thing. I would always use an ice pack/hot water bottle/take ibuprofen tablets over using one of these products. I agree that if you get any real benefit from these it is probably the massage action rather than the product itself!