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Author:Kangdi 30-10-2023
Like many people, I deal with aches and pains on a regular basis. As someone who avoids medication when possible, I'd seen ads for pain relief patches but always wondered - do they actually work or are they just hype? When my shoulder flared up after a tough workout, I finally decided to give them a try. Read on for my honest review and experience using these patches.
01. What Are Pain Relief Patches?
Pain relief patches are adhesive pads infused with ingredients like menthol, camphor, turmeric, and other botanicals. You simply stick them onto sore spots and the ingredients penetrate through the skin to provide soothing effects. Many also contain mild heat-generating components that stimulate blood flow. The patches I chose relied on the natural pain-blocking powers of menthol and turmeric.
02. Testing on My Sore Shoulder
After an intense kettlebell session, I woke up the next day with a throbbing ache radiating across my left shoulder. It hurt lifting my arm overhead or reaching behind my back - telltale signs of an angry rotator cuff.
Instead of immediately popping an ibuprofen, I decided to try using a pain relief patch on the sore area first. I picked up a 2-pack of menthol/turmeric patches from the pharmacy on my way home. That evening after showering, I peeled open one of the patches, removed the protective film, and stuck it just below my left shoulder blade.
03. The Light Tingling Sensation
The patch adhered tightly to my skin and I instantly felt a slight cooling tingle, which I assume was from the menthol. The coolness intensified over the next half hour before plateauing. It felt like a relaxing ice pack directly on the sore muscles. Unlike a cold pack though, the patch provided consistent relief and I could move freely without displacing it.
Within an hour, I noticed the shoulder ache diminishing and range of motion improving. The area still felt tender but the sharp pains were gone. I actually forgot I was even wearing the patch until I saw its outline on my skin.
04. 8 Hours of Blessed Relief
The cooling menthol sensation lasted for several hours before fading. However, the pain relief effects remained all through the night. I usually wake up multiple times from shoulder pain but the patch kept me sleeping soundly.
Next morning after removing it, the shoulder felt much better - still slightly tight but without stabbing agony. I was pleasantly surprised that a slim adhesive patch could provide such broad pain relief for 8 full hours.
05. My Verdict: Pain Relief Patches Passed the Test
While not a miracle cure, the turmeric/menthol pain patch provided very tangible relief for my sore shoulder. The menthol gave immediate soothing sensations while the turmeric seemed to ease inflammation and pain over time. For convenient, mess-free relief, I'll definitely be keeping these patches in my gym bag for future strains and muscle overuse. They provided a solid 8 hours of aid without side effects.
I'd recommend giving pain relief patches a try, especially if you want to avoid oral pain medication. Start by cleansing skin then apply the patch to the most painful area for fast-acting, targeted relief. Just be sure to leave it in place for the full recommended duration for best results. While not as instant as popping a pill, patches let you wake up with reduced aches minus medication side effects.