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12 Best Arthritis Creams to Soothe Your Aches and Pains

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Joint pain and inflammation can be quite unpleasant, but the best arthritis creams may ease those symptoms. Many over-the-counter creams, gels, and rubs help mitigate swelling, pain, and stiffness from arthritis. While arthritis pain relief treatment is multifaceted and different for every individual, topical treatments may help.

How do topical arthritis creams work?

Many people with arthritis use topical treatments alone or alongside prescription medications to dull their pain. Topical treatments, which are available in creams, gels, sprays, and roll-ons, are absorbed through the skin, and are most effective when they are rubbed on the joints that are closest to the skin’s surface, such as the joints in your hands or knees. As always, you should consult with your doctor on your pain management regime.

What are the best arthritis creams made out of?

Capsaicin, counterirritants, and salicylates are the most common active ingredients found in over-the-counter topical arthritis treatments.

  • Capsaicin: When applied to the skin regularly, capsaicin activates specific nerve receptors, preventing them from processing pain signals properly. Many studies have shown that capsaicin effectively reduces pain from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia, according to the Arthritis Foundation. In a 2010 German study, joint pain decreased by nearly 50 percent after using 0.05-percent capsaicin cream for three weeks.
  • Counterirritants: Menthol and camphor are counterirritants that produce heating or cooling sensations when rubbed on the skin. These sensations temporarily reject your ability to feel joint pain.
  • Salicylates: Salicylates have the pain-relieving substance found in aspirin. If you are taking blood thinners or you are allergic to aspirin, talk to your doctor before using a topical treatment that contains salicylates.

Arthritis creams are just one of the products that make life easier, whether you have chronic joint pain, sore muscles, or minor aches. Scroll down to see the top 12 best-rated arthritis creams on the market below!

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