Growth in America’s health and fitness industry has been escalating by approximately 4% annually throughout the last decade, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association (IHRSA).
A trend toward healthy living might be driving people to exercise more. They’re running, biking, playing basketball, and doing yoga, swimming, and walking. The downside to increased physical activity? A greater risk for injury.
How Topical Pain Relief Enhances Massage Therapy
Combining topical pain relief products with massage therapy takes pain management to the next level. These gels, creams, and balms deliver active ingredients to sore spots. They boost massage benefits by easing pain and reducing inflammation.
- Quick Pain Relief: They help clients relax so therapists can work deeper without causing discomfort. For athletes or those with chronic pain, this combination can make all the difference in achieving effective pain relief.
- Reduces Inflammation: Topicals with anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), help tackle swelling directly at the source. They enhance blood flow, reduce stiffness, and speed recovery. So, they are perfect for those with injuries or arthritis.
- Better Muscle Relaxation: Balms warm or cool the muscles, loosening tight areas before the massage even starts. This helps the therapist get deeper into muscle tissue with less resistance, making the treatment more effective.
- Personalized Care: Therapists can choose from a range of products. They can pick the best option for each client’s needs. It could be a cooling gel for sore muscles or an arnica cream for bruises. This tailored approach not only improves results but also creates a more satisfying experience for clients.
Using topical pain relief in massage therapy boosts pain relief, speeds recovery, and makes each session more effective and personal.
Common Sports Injuries Addressed by Massage and Topical Pain Relievers
WebMD reports that some of the most common sports-related injuries include ankle or hamstring sprain, groin pull, shin splints, tennis elbow, and knee problems. In many cases, massage therapy, in combination with the right topical pain relief product, can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. Helping your active clients return more quickly to the links, the trail, the court, the mat, or the pool.
Cyclists, equestrians, runners, weightlifters, golfers, and tennis players comprise, in part, the client base at Skin ‘n Tonic Spa and Salon in New Hope, Pennsylvania, according to owner Kerian Bray.
“[When] these clients present with over-used muscles or regions, shortened range of motion, and inflammation, I help prepare the body for a competition or recovery from one,” she said.
In many cases, massage therapy, in combination with the right topical pain relief product, can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, helping your active clients return more quickly to the links, the trail, the court, the mat, or the pool. For more insights, check out our blog on common sports injuries and how massage can help.
Essential Ingredients in Topical Pain Relief Products
To treat some sports injuries, Bray uses a pain relief spray on the affected area. Then, he wraps it or tapes it with kinesiology tape. She uses a non-scented spray that the client can use at home.
“I also suggest a therapeutic balm in the evening as it can soak into the area. Since it is more emollient, it will help nourish and soothe the skin, plus it will increase circulation to help lessen aches,” she said.
Bray explained that topical pain relievers contain a variety of ingredients that work in different ways. “Ginger, turmeric, and ho wood warm aching muscles and increase circulation. [These ingredients] also relax muscles, preventing aches and stiffness,” she said.
Additionally, arnica addresses inflammation and pain; magnesium sulfate reduces pain, and witch hazel alleviates pain and fatigue. “I avoid products with parabens, silicones, and synthetic fragrances,” Bray said. “Also, I don’t use products tested on animals. I look for ingredients that are clean or organic.”
Top Recommended Topical Pain Relief Products for Massage Therapy
- Biofreeze: A popular menthol-based gel that provides a cooling sensation to help relieve pain from sore muscles and joints. It is widely used by athletes and recommended by many physical therapists. Best For: Acute muscle and joint pain, sore muscles, sprains, or strains. It’s ideal for post-workout use or after intense physical activity, especially for larger areas like the back, neck, and thighs.
- Tiger Balm: A famous balm that relieves muscle and joint pain. It combines menthol, camphor, and essential oils. It’s particularly effective for warming up muscles before activity. Best For: Pre-exercise muscle warm-up, stiffness, and chronic pain in targeted areas such as knees, elbows, or lower back.
- Voltaren Gel (Diclofenac): An over-the-counter Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) gel that reduces inflammation and pain in joints and muscles. It is commonly used for arthritis but is also effective for sports-related injuries. Best For: Joint injuries, tendonitis, bursitis, or inflammation in the wrists, ankles, and knees. For injuries where it is necessary to reduce swelling.
- Arnica Cream/Gel: Made from the arnica Montana plant, this cream is used to reduce bruising, inflammation, and pain. It’s a favorite for athletes looking for a more natural pain relief option. Best For: Bruises, swelling, and soft tissue injuries. It works well on sensitive areas like shins, forearms, and spots prone to bruising.
- Icy Hot: A dual-action pain relief product that first cools and then heats the affected area. It’s widely available and commonly used for muscle soreness. Best For: Muscle soreness after prolonged activities such as running or lifting. It’s ideal for large muscle groups like the thighs, back, and shoulders to ease tension.
- Penetrex: A cream that contains arnica, vitamin B6, and MSM. It reduces inflammation and pain with a non-greasy application. This makes it a top choice for many therapists and athletes. Best For: Repetitive strain injuries and overuse conditions, especially in the hands and feet. It’s for areas needing quick absorption without a greasy residue.
Hot Topical Pain Relief Therapy
Capsaicin, a chili pepper extract, is another pain reliever. It is an effective topical analgesic, says Judith MacBain, a massage therapist at Montgomery County Chiropractic Center in North Wales, Pennsylvania.
An article published on The Academy of Clinical Massage website reported that capsaicin has been known to cause an “…alkaloid irritation to the skin and mucous membranes that produce pain-relieving sensations.” At first, applying capsaicin may cause a burning, prickling, or itchy feeling. Afterward, the area becomes desensitized, leading to pain relief.
Safety Considerations and Contraindications for Topical Pain Relief
While topicals can effectively address injuries, they might also create an adverse reaction in some clients. “Make sure you have a clear listing of all ingredients in the product — both active and inactive — and cross-check with your client’s intake form and verbally, as to any allergic reactions to past products, including at-home products,” said Bray.
“Apply [topicals] at the very end of the treatment so you don’t cross use in other non-needing areas.”
To avoid bad reactions, Bray stressed that therapists must know how and where topical pain relief products are made.
“You may have a nut-reactive client and perform your massage with a nut-free product. But then you apply a topical product for muscular relief, and it either contains nuts or nut derivatives or was manufactured in a facility that is not nut-free,” she added.
Combining Massage Therapy and Topical Pain Relief: A Winning Approach
When your client tells you of a new, strenuous hobby, applaud them. Be ready to help with any strains, sprains, or inflammation. A regimen of massage and topical pain relief treatments should help.
Protect Your Practice
Boosting your massage sessions with topical pain relief products? Great news—using these products is covered under your professional liability insurance with Massage Magazine Insurance Plus. Read more on reducing risk with MT liability insurance.
Stay Covered: Our insurance protects you when using products like Biofreeze, Voltaren Gel, and Tiger Balm during treatments, shielding you from potential claims related to your services.
Why Choose Us? With comprehensive coverage, you can confidently enhance your clients’ experience while safeguarding your practice from unexpected legal and financial risks.
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About the AuthorPhyllis Hanlon has written nonfiction articles and book reviews as well as human-interest stories, profiles, and award-winning essays. Her specialty areas include health and medicine, religion, education, and business. She regularly delights in the joys of massage.