Tag: Topical Pain Relievers

When it comes to managing chronic pain, there are several options available, including oral medications, topical creams, and gels. While oral medications are often the go-to solution for pain relief, topical pain relief gels offer several benefits that make them an attractive alternative.

In this article, we’ll explore the advantages of using topical pain relief gel over standard pain pills and discuss how compounding medication/pharmacy can help tailor a solution specific to your needs.

Precision Targeting

One of the primary benefits of topical pain relief gels is their ability to target specific areas of the body. Unlike oral medications, which must be processed through the digestive and circulatory systems, topical gels can be applied directly to the affected area, providing localized pain relief. This means that you can experience relief without the risk of side effects that can occur with oral medications.

Safe for Internal Organ Systems

Oral pain medications can have negative effects on the digestive and excretory systems, especially with long-term use. Topical pain relief gels, on the other hand, do not pass through internal organs like the liver, kidneys, stomach, and digestive tract. Therefore, they do not cause gastric upset, cardiovascular risks, and other negative side effects associated with oral medications.

Quick Reaction Time

Topical pain relief gels take effect much more quickly than oral pain relievers. Since they are absorbed through the skin instead of via the circulatory system, they can start working in a matter of minutes. This is particularly beneficial for joints close to the skin surface, such as the knees and elbows. Additionally, you can apply another dose of topical gel much more quickly than you can take a second dose of most oral medications.

Increased Pain Relief Across Numerous Types of Pain

Topical pain relief gels have been developed to specifically address various kinds of pain, including compression neuropathy, which is pain caused by pressure on a nerve. They can also treat muscle pain and inflamed tendons, which are often not effectively treated with oral analgesics.

Reduced Risk of Drug Tolerance

Over time, the body can become accustomed to the pain-relieving effects of oral or systemic pain relievers. This phenomenon can result in pain relievers becoming less effective over time, leading to increased doses that can be harmful to the body. Topical pain relief gels provide an effective alternative to combat this issue, as they can be used in different forms and strengths to keep pain at bay without increasing the risk of drug tolerance.

Reduced Chances of Misuse

Some oral pain relievers can lead to misuse, as people may take more than the prescribed dose to achieve the desired effect. Topical pain relief gels reduce the chances of misuse, as they are applied topically and not absorbed into the bloodstream. This makes them a safer alternative to oral medications. Misuse of oral pain relievers can be a concerning issue, often driven by individuals seeking heightened relief beyond the prescribed dosage. This pattern not only jeopardizes their health but also poses a risk of dependency.

In contrast, the advent of topical pain relief gel introduces a safer alternative. These gels are applied directly to the skin, localized to the area of discomfort, and bypassing systemic absorption into the bloodstream. This distinct mechanism significantly reduces the potential for misuse, as the temptation to exceed recommended doses for immediate effect is mitigated. By embracing topical solutions, such as our custom-compounded pain relief gels, individuals can experience effective pain management while minimizing the risks associated with oral medications. It’s a shift towards responsible and targeted pain relief, placing safety at the forefront of the equation.

Compounding Medication/Pharmacy

At Burt’s Rx, we recognize that pain is a deeply individual experience, and addressing it requires a tailored solution. Our team of skilled compounding pharmacists is dedicated to collaborating closely with your healthcare provider to formulate specialized topical pain relief gels that cater to your distinct requirements. Through the art of compounding, we can expertly blend a variety of ingredients and strengths to craft a unique gel designed to alleviate your pain effectively. Unlike oral medications, our custom gels minimize the likelihood of systemic side effects, ensuring targeted relief right where you need it most. Trust us to deliver the pain management solution you deserve.

Conclusion

Topical pain relief gel offers several benefits over standard pain pills, including precision targeting, safe use for internal organ systems, quick reaction time, increased pain relief across numerous types of pain, reduced risk of drug tolerance, and reduced chances of misuse. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, consider discussing topical pain relief gels with your healthcare provider. At Burt’s Rx, we’re committed to providing personalized solutions for your pain management needs.

Disclaimer: This article is meant for educational and entertainment purposes only. Do not substitute it for medical advice. Always listen to your doctor for the management of your condition.

To further understand and increase awareness of Juvenile Arthritis, it is important to identify the different treatment options available. One of the most popular options for pain and inflammation is joint pain cream, but does it work?

July is Juvenile Arthritis Month, and we want to make you aware of how arthritis affects over 300,000 children and teens in America. One of the main symptoms reported by juveniles is joint pain. Compare this number to the number of adults with arthritis, 54.4 million, according to reports. This number is expected to rise to over 67 million by the year 2030.

It is statistics like this that make arthritis the most common cause of disability in America. And these don’t include the unreported cases.

Researchers are working hard to understand arthritis and find solutions that provide relief to those suffering. Until there is a cure, it’s essential to learn how to help someone suffering from joint pain. Establishing a clear explanation of joint pain is an excellent first step.

Joint Pain Explained

Joints refer to a place in the body where bones meet. There are three types of joints:

1. One type is fibrous and is not able to move.
2. Another type is cartilaginous. This means cartilage joins the two bones, making them move, but on a partial basis.
3. The third type is synovial, which are free-moving joints.

All three types of joints can experience joint pain. Many people describe joint pain as feeling tender, sore, stiff, or like it is burning. Others say the area is inflamed.

Several things can cause joint pain, from an injury or infection to specific diseases. The most common cause, however, is arthritis, an inflammatory disorder. A consistent complaint of arthritis is joint pain.

Below are some quick facts about joint pain to further explain how it impacts the body and quality of life.

Quick Facts About Joint Pain

Tendons, ligaments, and muscles surround joints. Injury to any of these can cause joint pain. Also, certain disorders create joint pain, including fibromyalgia, polymyalgia rheumatic, bursitis, and tendonitis. This means that not all joint pain is related to arthritis.

Other facts include the following:

• There are 360 joints in the human body
• Exercise can help joint pain
• Applying both heat and ice can ease joint pain. Ice reduces inflammation; heat relaxes muscles.
• You cannot get arthritis from popping your knuckles or other joints
• There is no cure, but there are many treatment options

You may be wondering when it is a good time to visit your doctor for treatment recommendations. Don’t put it off thinking you should be tough enough to cope or that home remedies work best.

Pay attention to your joint pain and seek help if you see redness in the joint area, feel intense pain, develop a deformity in the joint, and if the joint becomes red and swells suddenly. Also, if you can no longer move the joint, make an appointment with your doctor.

Your doctor will likely share a variety of treatment options.

Treatment Options

Doctors often recommend using hot and cold packs to relieve joint pain symptoms. Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories for mild symptoms and prescription pain medications for severe symptoms, depending on your pain levels.

Steroid injections may be an option if medications and other treatments have not worked. There may be a time when your arthritis is so bad your doctor may need to look inside the joint to determine the cause of the pain. They do this with an arthroscopic procedure. If you still have pain, joint replacement may be an option.

Joint pain cream is often enough to ease the pain. It works quickly, and because they are topical pain relief, the medicine goes straight to the joint with pain. Benefits of using joint pain cream includes:

• Getting a higher concentration of the medicine to the area of pain than pills deliver.
• Creams don’t pass through the digestive system, eliminating medicine breakdown and stomach irritations.
• You don’t have to worry about liver toxicity as you do with oral medications.

Choosing a Joint Pain Cream

There are many effective joint pain creams on the market. The problem with mass-manufactured joint pain creams is that they are created for the masses, not for your specific needs. Choosing the correct joint pain cream means making a lot of decisions, like:

• Do you need a prescription cream or over-the-counter cream?
• Do you need counterirritants that distract from the pain, salicylates that provide anti-inflammatory effects, capsaicin that block pain signals, or lidocaine that works as an anesthetic?
• Which active and non-active ingredients may produce side effects or interactions with other medicines?
• Do you prefer a gel or cream?
• Do you prefer to rub it on with your fingers, use a patch, or with a rollerball?
• Should you get a cream with added ingredients like CBD or essential oils?
• Do you want scented or odorless joint pain cream?
• Which consistency do you prefer?

It’s no wonder people get frustrated when shopping for the right joint pain cream. There are too many factors to consider. Unless you have a good understanding of creams, you may end up buying the wrong product.

There is a way to avoid making mistakes when purchasing joint pain creams; talk to your pharmacist about compounding. Compounded pain management creams are topical agents created by your pharmacist, right there in your local pharmacy.

Benefits of Compounded Cream

Compounding by your pharmacist is when they take basic ingredients and creates a product from scratch. The ingredients used in the recipe are based on your unique needs and preferences. When done, you receive a joint pain cream made only for you.

Your pharmacist will consider your allergies, application preferences, smell preferences and add ingredients that may enhance the effects of the cream. Consult with your pharmacist to learn more about compounded topical creams and whether they are the best choice to treat your pain.

Whether you have a juvenile with joint pain or are an adult suffering, you deserve the relief compounded creams can offer. Make your list of preferences and needs and take them to your pharmacist today.

If you go in July, you can help your pharmacy team spread awareness about juvenile arthritis.

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Topical pain relief cream is a great option to treat targeted pain and has many benefits over traditional pain relief pills. Here’s what to know.

When you feel pain, the goal is to make it stop. You don’t think about whether a pain relief pill or a topical cream will work best. You ask your doctor for help; they prescribe something, you take it for relief.

You are not alone. Millions of people struggle with chronic pain and seek treatment. Doctors offer prescriptions but don’t always let you know you have options. Below, we explain the difference between topical creams and pills for pain relief. We also give you 11 benefits of choosing the cream over pain pills.

Topical Pain Relief Cream

When you see the word topical, you can know that it means something is applied to the skin. In this case, a pain relief cream. To apply, you squeeze a small amount into your hand and rub it onto the skin closest to the pain you experience.

For example, if your pain is in your knee, rub the topical cream directly onto your knee.

This process is different when taking oral pain relief medication.

Traditional Pain Relief Pills

When taking a pill orally for pain, you swallow the pill, and it must pass through the digestive system before it enters the bloodstream and is distributed to the point of pain. Pain pills are often coated with an ingredient that protects the main ingredients from being dissolved by stomach acids. They can be harsh on the stomach lining and can take between thirty and forty minutes to feel relief.

This is not the only benefit of choosing a cream over a pill, however.

Benefits of Topical Pain Relief Creams

While both pills and topical creams work and are needed by those who have pain, there are some benefits to choosing topical pain relief cream.

Benefit #1

Topical pain relief creams are applied directly to the target area of pain. The pain relief chemicals are absorbed through your skin and send them to the spot that hurts.

Benefit #2

Topical creams provide pain relief quicker than oral pain medications since they do not have to pass through the digestive system.

Benefit #3

Topical creams only affect the area to which it is applied. Pain pills, on the other hand, affect your entire body. Because pill ingredients enter the bloodstream, it is distributed to all body parts. In addition, pain pills are sedating, which is why your thoughts, reflexes, speech, and other actions are slowed when taking a pain pill.

Benefit #4

Topical creams protect your stomach, digestive tract, and internal organs from damage caused by the long-term use of pain pills.

Benefit #5

Topical creams offer longer periods of pain relief than pills. Most pain pills last between four to six hours. Topical creams can last eight or more hours.

Benefit #6

Topical creams can treat more than one type of pain. For example, if you have neuropathy, topical creams can often reduce inflammation and alleviate this pain, whereas pain pills cannot. Also, topical creams can treat conditions like sports injuries or strain, musculoskeletal pain, arthritis, post-surgical pain, accident- and injury-related pain, idiopathic proctodynia, vulvodynia.

Benefit #7

People who take pain-relieving pills quickly build a tolerance to the drug. Tolerance means taking more and more medications to produce the same effects felt when you first took the drug. For example, if you are prescribed opiates for pain, you will likely be ordered to take one pill every four hours. However, within a few days, you may notice that you are not getting the same amount of relief by taking just one pill every four hours.

Instead, you need two pills every four hours. The longer you take pain pills, the higher your tolerance will build. Tolerance can build enough to cause your body to become dependent on them. Eventually, you can become addicted to pain pills.

With topical pain relief cream, there is a low risk of tolerance, dependence, or addiction.

Benefit #8

Topical creams offer fewer side effects than oral pain medications. Pain pills can produce stomach problems, drowsiness, clouded thinking, slowed movements, and blurred vision. Topical creams only affect the area in which you have pain.

Benefit #9

Topical pain relief creams do not interact with other over-the-counter or prescribed medicines you may be taking. Pain pills can have devastating interactions. For example, if you take an opiate for pain and take a benzodiazepine for anxiety, your respiratory system can stop working.

Benefit #10

Topical creams offer pain relief to people who are unable to swallow pills. As a result, they do not have to worry about a pill getting stuck in their throat or getting choked on their medicine.

Benefit #11

Topical pain relief creams can be compounded at your local pharmacy.

Compounding Topical Pain Relief Cream

The process of compounding is when your pharmacist uses to create medicines of all kinds, including topical creams. Compounding is a science. It’s like choosing specific ingredients, developing a recipe, and creating a product that is unique to each person.

By choosing compounded pain creams, you will work with your pharmacist by providing the necessary information. For example, your pharmacist will want to know if you have allergies to any ingredients, if you prefer odorless or scented, how thick you prefer your creams, and if you wish to add beneficial ingredients mixed into your cream.

With compounding of pain relief medications, numerous medicines can be compounded into creams other than pain medicines. Examples include muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory products, hormone therapy, corticosteroids, antiviral medications, anesthetics, antibiotics, antifungals, and scar cream.

Where to Start

Your first step in getting unique compounded topical pain relief cream is to talk to your pharmacist. He or she will help you understand the process of compounding and can explain further why it is a better, safer option than pain pills.

Your pharmacist will verify information about allergies, currently prescribed medications, and current over-the-counter medications you are taking.

If the topical pain relief cream you need requires a prescription, your pharmacist can communicate directly with your doctor to create the best product to relieve your pain.

Together, your treatment team can develop a topical cream that is an excellent alternative to pain pills.