Types of pain-relieving treatments

There are many different types of pain-relieving treatments.  They differ in how they are given and also in how strong they are.

Mild to moderate pain can be treated with pain relievers such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), also known simply, as anti-inflammatories.

Pain relievers can either be swallowed or applied to the skin. When swallowed, they’re known as “oral” treatments and when applied to the skin, they’re known as “topical” treatments.  Oral painkillers are swallowed, then usually broken down in the stomach and released into the bloodstream of the body.

It's not fully understood how paracetamol works but it’s thought to block (inhibit) certain chemicals in the central nervous system (brain, spine and nerves).

Anti-inflammatories also work by blocking prostaglandins responsible for pain as well as fever and inflammation, at the place of injury or damage to the body.

Topical anti-inflammatories are applied on the outside of the body. The medicine is absorbed through the skin and moves deeper into the area of inflammation, such as a muscle. The medicine is only absorbed by the body in the area that it’s applied, unlike oral painkillers that have an effect on the whole body. Topical anti-inflammatories can be as effective as oral anti-inflammatories for certain types of pain such as short-term muscular aches and pains. However, some people may find that an oral anti-inflammatory may work better for them.

Compared to oral painkillers, topical preparations deliver a relatively low amount of medicine (anti-inflammatory) into the body.

Pain Relief Pills

Pain relief medicines are known as “analgesics”. Analgesic pills (oral treatment) come in different forms and strengths. Paracetamol, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, aspirin and weak opioids are all available as pills and can be used to relieve mild-to-moderate pain. Pain medicine can be effective for most people, helping to relieve body pain caused by conditions such as arthritis, muscle aches or sprains.

Certain oral painkillers are not suitable for some people who may have specific health conditions, or if they are taking other medicines along with painkillers, have allergies or intolerances. If you are in any doubt about which painkillers are right for you, it's a good idea to speak to your GP or pharmacist for advice. Before taking medicines, it's important to read the medicine leaflet to learn about the side effects.

Pain Relief Gels

Pain relief gels are a type of topical treatment designed to be applied to the outside of the body. Some contain ingredients that help to relieve short term pain.

Heating Gels

Heat is an effective way to treat most aches and pains. It causes the blood vessels to expand, bringing more blood to the injured area, stimulating healing of damaged tissue and helps to relieve pain.  Heat also has a soothing effect, relieves spasm and eases stiffness. Heating creams and gels can be found in pharmacies and used to ease pain associated with aching muscles, cramps, spasms, period pains and pain associated with chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia.

Cooling Gels

Some people find that ice or cooling gels are helpful for short-term pain. Gels containing menthol create a cooling sensation when rubbed onto the skin and may help to reduce the feeling of pain. They may also be helpful to ease pain from gout, swelling from osteoarthritis and may be useful for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), which is the muscle stiffness sometimes felt after doing new exercises or overtraining. Cooling effects can help with inflammation immediately after a sprain or strain, or later during recovery to allow for more comfortable movement, by reducing pain and muscle spasm.

Medicated Gels

Some gels contain ingredients that have anti-inflammatory properties, such as ibuprofen. This is called a “medicated gel” and may be recommended for muscle pains, sprains and strains, and to ease osteoarthritis. They can be just as effective as pills for relieving body pains.

Pain Relief Patches

Pain relief patches are like plasters: they contain ingredients that are absorbed directly through the skin where they are applied, to work where they are most needed. Some patches contain heating or cooling ingredients whilst medicated patches contain medicine that helps relieve pain, which can be useful for people who can’t take oral painkillers. Nurofen Joint & Muscular Pain Relief 200mg Medicated Plasters contain ibuprofen, which is delivered continuously for up to 24 hours, targeting pain at the site where it’s felt.

Which Is the Right Pain Relief Option for You

Pain relieving pills work well for most people, however if you have health conditions that prevent you from taking pain relief pills, there are alternative options such as heating, cooling and medicated gels or plasters, that work well to help relieve body pain at the site of injury. Some people find patches convenient to use as they’re odourless and less messy than gels. For others, they prefer the soothing benefits of massaging a gel onto the skin. If you’re unsure of which type of pain relief is best for you or you need more information, speak to your GP or pharmacist.

FAQs

What is an oral vs a topical treatment?

Painkillers can either be swallowed or applied to the skin. When swallowed, it’s known as “oral” treatment and when applied to the skin, it’s known as “topical” treatment.

Read more here, about oral versus topical painkillers.

What are pain relief pills?

Pain relief medicines are known as “analgesics”. Analgesic pills (oral treatment) come in different forms and strengths. Paracetamol, anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, aspirin and weak opioids are all available as pills and can be used to relieve mild-to-moderate pain. Read more here, about pain relieving pills.

What are pain relief gels?

Pain relief gels are a type of topical treatment, applied to the outside of the body.  Some work without medicine, causing a cooling or heating sensation to help relieve pain, while others are medicated, which means that they contain pain medicine. Read here, about pain relieving gels.

What are Pain Relief Patches?

Pain relief patches are like plasters: they contain ingredients that are absorbed directly through the skin where they are applied, to work where most needed. Read more here, about pain relieving patches.

How long does it take for a pain patch to get into your system?

Nurofen Joint & Muscular Pain Relief 200mg Medicated Plasters take approximately 2 hours to start delivering a pain-relieving effect and provide long lasting relief of up to 24 hours.

Do pain patches reduce inflammation?

Nurofen contains ibuprofen which has anti-inflammatory properties that work to help relieve pain.

Are gels or tablets better?

Pain relieving pills work well for most people. However, if you have health conditions that prevent you from taking pain relief pills, there are alternative options such as heating, cooling and medicated gels or plasters, that work well to relieve body pain at the site of injury or damage. Read more here about the right pain reliever for you.

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