# Topical treatments/remedies for non-topical pain **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 1, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327 "2024-03-01T20:12:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/21 "2024-03-02T10:18:37Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Dear God, man! We’re adults here-- speak up! OK, but redacted. Many years ago I read an assessment report for the licensing of a new topical analgesic.The assessment report is a publicly available document detailing how the application for a licence was reviewed and what conclusions were reached and why. To get a license for a medicine you have to provide to the responsible government agency (think: FDA) clinical proof that your product is effective, acceptably safe , etc etc. The agency then produces the assessment report, which concludes that the product has been reviewed, shown the be safe, effective, yadda yadda, and a licence may therefore be issued. I’m not specifying the product or even the country, but his particular assessment report concluded (in so many words) _"I have no f_\*_ing idea whether this works or not, but the sponsor says it does, so give them a licence and tell them to stop bothering me."_ I told you clinical trials in topical analgesics were difficult; but I have never seen anything else remotely like this. Extraordinary. Fast forward a couple of decades. I was in conversation with a couple of hospital pharmacists barely a week ago, and for some reason this product and its assessment report came up. It turns out that this product is notorious. It appears that hospital doctors do prescribe it (after all, it’s topical and therefore intrinsically safer than a systemic drug) but when the script arrives in a hospital pharmacy, under government guidelines the pharmacist has to evaluate the script against proof of clinical efficacy - and so they decline to dispense it. I suppose, in the greater scheme of things, that’s _almost_ a rational outcome. Almost. j ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/22 "2024-03-02T11:10:49Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > I’m not specifying the product… \<_scratches head_\> Why the hell not? ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/23 "2024-03-02T11:15:42Z")
Libel laws are different over here. j ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/24 "2024-03-02T12:01:59Z")
> [@Dogginit](#): > > My grandparents swore by, and got me started on, [Bigeloil](https://absorbine.com/products/bigeloil-liniment?variant=41063765344417) horse linament. Wonderful stuff, … It is! After a long, hot horse show day our group would fill a baby pool with cold water, glug in the Bigeloil, and sit drinking beer with our aching feet soaking. Heaven. I still used it directly too for achey feet, knees etc. Great stuff. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/25 "2024-03-02T12:11:18Z")
\ You’re concerned that a major international drug manufacturer might prosecute you for libel because of a true statement you posted under a pseudonym on an anonymous-ish message board in another country? That _is_ worrisome. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/26 "2024-03-02T12:37:44Z")
NDAs are a bitch. Maybe a few years after retirement they’d be willing to share. ---
**Author:** ![Turki-lurki](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turki-lurki/32/7168_2.png) [@Turki-lurki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turki-lurki)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/27 "2024-03-02T12:40:35Z")
Used to work on developing these things. Boy, would I like to have talked with you a few years ago… ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/28 "2024-03-02T12:44:00Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > You’re concerned that a major international drug manufacturer might prosecute you for libel because of a true statement Not just true, but publicly available. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/29 "2024-03-02T13:45:11Z")
It’s a real small world - maybe you did 😉 j ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/30 "2024-03-02T16:04:08Z")
I’m partial to stuff called Mineral Ice. It is just another mixture of menthol and isopropyl alcohol. The alcohol does get absorbed through the skin and relieves pain to some extent, don’t know if the menthol does anything special. I also use a CBD balm but I’m not sure it has any more effective on a sore body than rubbing it with lotion. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/31 "2024-03-02T18:28:19Z")
> [@Dogginit](#): > > My grandparents swore by, and got me started on, [Bigeloil](https://absorbine.com/products/bigeloil-liniment?variant=41063765344417) horse linament. Several horse people we have known are great fans of DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide). This is a super-solvent, and does apparently diffuse very rapidly into the bloodstream. I don’t believe it is approved or recommended for human use, though. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/32 "2024-03-02T18:56:52Z")
AIUI the problem with DMSO is that it takes everything with it into the bloodstream, that is, anything that might be on the surface of your skin. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/33 "2024-03-02T18:59:03Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > the problem with DMSO is that it takes everything with it into the bloodstream Also it gives one a strong garlic taste in their mouths shortly after applying it. I actually did some original research on the stuff back in med school. My studies didn’t turn up decent enough results to publish, though. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/34 "2024-03-02T18:59:26Z")
Yes, I think DMSO is more of a transport carrier than a therapeutic in itself. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/35 "2024-03-02T19:05:01Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I use Aspercreme with Lidocaine occasionally I do too for occasional back muscle pain. As these things go my pain is not all that bad but it makes it hard to move. I used the extra strength patches which are a bit fussy to apply on your own to your own back (I’ve had to throw a few out because it became hopelessly stuck to itself). When I first tried them about a year ago I was dubious but they actually really helped. Again, this is only for relatively minor back muscle pain. My BiL has chronic back pain which is lightyears worse than what I experienced and this would do next to nothing for him. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2024, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/36 "2024-03-04T06:05:53Z")
I’ve had arthritis knee pain for a couple of years. Finally decided to do something about it. I did the 3x hyaluronic acid injections and that was marginally helpful. My doc is now saying to apply this gel 2x daily, for 3 months and see how it goes. Today is day 2, and I’ll do it 2x daily for 3 months. But I’m skeptical. Have you tried this stuff and was it helpful? [[Album] Voltaren 1% NSAID gel ![](https://i.imgur.com/G1kF96F.jpeg?fb "Voltaren 1% NSAID gel") ](https://imgur.com/a/o4smkmw) ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2024, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/37 "2024-03-04T10:40:17Z")
I know people that have sworn by it, personally it didn’t do much for me. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2024, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/38 "2024-03-04T11:32:36Z")
I tried it on my shoulder, to no avail. I don’t understand how it would get through your skin and find its way to the right spot. ---
**Author:** ![kferr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71e660/32.png) [@kferr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kferr)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2024, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/39 "2024-03-04T12:18:20Z")
It’s called Voltarol in the UK. I’ve tried that and generic 1% ibuprofen gel on shoulder and knee and neither did anything. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2024, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327/40 "2024-03-04T12:45:32Z")
It (and others) are currently being discussed in another thread. > [@Topical treatments/remedies for non-topical pain](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327): > > I’m talking about stuff like Aspercreme, SalonPas, various creams that have “freeze” or “cool” in the name, Arnica gel, etc., for muscle aches, not remedies for painful scratches or surface injuries. Do you swear by (or at) any of them? I use Aspercreme with Lidocaine occasionally at night on my ankle where I had surgery a bazillion years ago. Sometimes it’s a bit achy. Does it help? I dunno. Maybe. I do manage to fall asleep. There are lots of creams sold for peripheral neuropathy/nerve pain… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topical-treatments-remedies-for-non-topical-pain/998327.md?page=3)