Best Arthritis Creams For Joint Relief That Actually Work

What are Arthritis Creams For Joint Relief?

Have you been wondering what can effectively help you manage arthritis-related pain and aches in the joints to be able to lead a pain-free life? Well, there are quite a number of pain-relief products in the market today ranging from creams, patches, gels, pills, powders, and sprays, and all claim to relieve joint pain and aches.

Arthritis creams for joint relief are examples of such products and a good percentage of people are currently using them to manage arthritis-related pain and discomfort. The creams work by delivering pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects on the joints through the skin. While these topical aches and pain relievers are not meant to cure arthritis, they can help people with minor symptoms get temporary relief from pain and aches.

However, selecting the best arthritis cream can be a real hassle and requires the input of an expert to be able to make the right purchase decision. Our health editorial team took time to analyze a number of products in the market by considering a number of factors to come up with our top picks as shown below. Read on to learn more about arthritis creams and find out from our list which one best suits your health needs.

How Do Arthritis Creams Work on Joint Relief?

Arthritis creams also known as topicals are designed to work to reduce pain or inflammation or both in the applied area, says Dr. Rachel Frank, MD, an orthopedic^[1] surgeon at UCHealth and director of the Joint Preservation Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

There are several arthritis creams with unique formulations depending on the brand. Some creams are formulated using salicylates such as aspirin^[2], bismuth, diclofenac, etc., which work to reduce joint inflammation and lessen pain in the affected area. An article published in the International Journal of Molecular Science by Fatema Yeasmin^[3] and Hygong Choic notes that both synthetic and natural salicylates have multiple targets in humans, and can, therefore, exhibit a number of pharmacological roles including neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory.

Other arthritis creams comprise counterirritants like menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus, which cause mild skin inflammation and irritation to distract from pain in patients experiencing arthritis-related pain, says Dr. Niket Sonpal, MD. They work by irritating the skin and creating temporary cold or hot sensations which then interrupt pain signals to the brain. According to a publication in the American Journal of Physiology and Medical Rehabilitation by C Z Hong et al^[4], topical application of counterirritant eucalypt mint can be beneficial for pain relief.

What To Look For Before Buying Arthritis Creams for Joint Health?

1. Ingredients:

The type of ingredients and their quality are great determinants of a product’s efficiency. According to Dr. Alejandra Rodriguez-Paez, MD, a rheumatologist^[5] with the Illinois Joint & Bone Institute, ingredients like lidocaine, menthol, cinnamon oil, camphor, and eucalyptus oil are some of the ingredients to look out for in arthritis cream because they contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe sore joints and offer pain relief.

2. Application:

When buying an arthritis cream, choose one that is easy to use or hassle-free in terms of application. Also, according to Dr. Rosian, cream for arthritis application has extra benefits compared to products like patches because the massaging process of the cream on the paining body part also improves blood flow besides modulating the pain in the area.

3. Side Effects:

However, natural or organic ingredients may be, there are some that may cause side effects because of their irritant nature or reaction with other medication. Though topical effect profiles may be generally safe compared to oral medications for relieving arthritis, Dr. Rodriguez Paez says^[6] that products applied to the skin might cause irritation for some people, especially those with sensitive skin or skin conditions.

3. Brand and Price:

Products from reputable brands are highly trusted by people and customers will go for any of their products regardless of price. Products from such brands mostly use safe and high-quality ingredients to manufacture their products, hence guaranteeing efficiency.

Our Top Picks For Best Arthritis Pain Relief Creams

Best Arthritis Pain Relief Creams

What Key Ingredients Are in Arthritis Creams for Joint Relief?

Menthol

Menthol is an ingredient with the ability to treat minor muscle and joint pains and aches such as arthritis, sprains, and backache. It causes the skin to feel cool followed by warmth, a feeling that distracts you from feeling pain or ache in your joints and muscles. Methol is mentioned in menthol in our content in Mentholatum Ointment Review.

Research on the role and mechanisms action of menthol in topical analgesic products was conducted as published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics by J V Pergollizi Jr. et al^[7]. They found out that topical application of products with menthol is counter-irritant and can provide a cooling effect, stimulating nociceptors, and desensitizing them.

Camphor

Camphor is a common compound in pain relief products including topicals because of its ability to treat muscle pains and aches and stimulate circulation. It has also been associated with chronic long-term joint pain and muscle reduction. The pain-reducing benefits of Camphor were also mentioned in our content on Ortho Nesic Pain Relieving Gel Reviews.

A study on the effects of camphor oil application on arthritis patients was conducted and published in the International Journal of Applied Research by Beautily V et al^[8]. According to the results, the application of camphor oil can effectively reduce joint pain.

Arnica

Arnica is one of the key ingredients you are likely to find in arthritis creams because of their soothing effect on muscle aches and ability to reduce inflammation. We have also discussed arnica in Ted’s Pain Cream review.

A Clinical Trial on the potential mechanism of arnica was done as published in Medicines Journal by Amanda G. Smith et al^[9]. The study concluded that arnica could be an aide therapeutical approach in managing chronic and acute pain.

Capsaicin

Capsaicin is an active compound found in chili peppers. Capsaicin offers a mild tingling sensation when applied on the skin which helps to calm down nerve pain. Arthritis cream packed with this ingredient may cause a burning sensation on the skin but reduces it when used constantly on a daily basis. We have also discussed capsaicin in our Rub A535 review.

The research was conducted to determine the therapeutic roles of capsaicin on normal and pathophysiological conditions as published in Molecules by Shaherin Basith et al^[10]. They found out that capsaicin is a powerful ingredient that can help manage arthritis-related disorders and muscle strains.

Lidocaine

Lidocaine is a great ingredient for pain remedies especially for arthritis joint pain. It works by blocking the transmission of nerve messages and acts as an anesthetic agent that decreases sensation. We have also discussed the numbing effects of this ingredient in our content on Hempvana Reviews.

The research was conducted by Marion Voute to determine the topical effect of lidocaine on pain as published in Drug, Design, Development, and Therapy.^[11]. Results show that lidocaine can be used to treat several pain conditions.

What Are The Side Effects Of Using Arthritis Creams?

Side effects of arthritis cream are usually mild compared to oral application. With creams, it is easy to minimize side effects by restricting application only to the affected area. However, since they contain analgesic and counterirritant ingredients users are likely to experience effects like skin numbness and irritation. Stinging or burning sensation is another side effect of using arthritis creams.

How To Choose the Best Arthritis Creams For Your Joint Pain?

Before settling for a given arthritis cream you can try different creams to see which one works best for you. Also, ensure that you first consult with your health care provider like a physical therapist or rheumatologist, for expert advice or guidance, especially if you have skin disorders, allergies, or asthma.

You should also consider the active ingredients contained in the cream before making a purchase decision. It is important because if you are on medication or have a health history, some creams listed as active ingredients might interact with your health history.

Consider also the type that will best meet your needs when choosing arthritis cream. Some creams require less rubbing and, therefore, carry little benefit compared to those that require thorough massaging or rubbing deep into the skin.

Our Testing Procedure

The testing process of our best arthritis creams was done following standard points set by our team of experts. First, they scrutinized different brands and a good number of arthritis creams from various producers to help decide on our top pick list above.

For the product features, our team looked at the formula’s composition, in this case, whether the ingredients are backed by clinical studies from trusted sources. The team also looked at how customers rated the products as well as their opinions about the product and expert recommendations. Unwanted reactions, interaction with other products, efficiency, and safety of the products also influenced our product ranking criteria.

Product Comparison

To help you decide, here is a brief comparison of our top picks:

Frequently Asked Questions