Is topical menthol, such as Biofreeze, safe and effective for pain relief?

Back in 1960 I was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, later verified by army docs. In college, I played basketball and to counter a bit of lower back pain in that spot I used a smelly product called Mentholatum Deep Heat rub everyday before practice and games. It worked for me. The same lower back pain does reoccur very occasionally, with the modern version of the product still working. OTOH, I find Biofreeze ineffective and Icy/Hot hit and miss, depending on the ailment.

Capsaicin: I developed chronic ITB pain around my left knee during hiking in 1994. In addition to eventually finding a stretch, different than the standard ones, that at least delayed pain on hikes, I started using capsaicin cream, now the rub-on .015 liquid, and rarely have had even a minor problem since. In the latter cases, it’s been on the downhills coming back during long mountain hikes, where I needed a reapplication and forgot to do so at lunch. I keep a canister in my pack and even a bit beyond its use-by date, it works.

I have used numerous menthol products like BioFreeze, Tiger Balm, Australian Dream and others. None have worked well and most only temporarily disguise the pain until the wear off.

I have found Topricin to be very effective for both muscle pain and leg cramps at night (I also take magnesium every day to prevent leg cramps as well as 3 to 6 mile hikes most days and stretching). Have you covered Topricin? I have no financial interest in Topricin. I discovered it through my physical therapist when I had a knee problem many years ago.

I'm curious to know more about capsaicin salves and/or capsules. I'm a massage therapist who works with severe pain (have even been involved in a study for pain reduction using alternative treatments {chiropractic, yoga, acupuncture, Feldenkrais, and massage} to reduce opioid doses in long-term pain management), for almost 20 years. I began using a salve of wintergreen oil, cayenne pepper, and menthol crystals mixed in olive oil and beeswax. The Cayenne pepper rub had very positive results - close to 7 out of 10 clients would say it was helpful for their discomfort. I often applied it after massage - vs the others who wanted Biofreeze. Many even began purchasing it on their own for home treatments (not by me. I am not a seller of the product.) For my personal pain, however - especially arthritis in my neck/thoracic spine, I also find capsaicin to be more effective than Biofreeze.

I didn't see the warning about menthol use. I recently had used some menthol containing gel for knee pain, as well as 2-4 cough drops to treat aa cough caused by a blood pressure medicine. Within @ 3 weeks, I began to shake, difficulty walking, nausea, extreme fatigue. I had developed Menthol poisoning. I may be extra sensitive, but it took @ 5 days of lots of water, and loss of activity to get back to normal. Check out Menthol poisoning on Medlineplus.gov.

Any thoughts about the benefits of products such as Tiger Balm for musculoskeletal aches and pains?

Voltaren gel has provided excellent results for me when Biofeeeze did nothing.I have no financial interest in any products.

I love Biofreeze. I have used it for about 15 yrs. I have found it very effective for knee pain prior to my knee replacements, back pain and tension headaches. I have recommended to others, some like me get great relief from it and others say it didn’t help. Menthol products that “heat up” like icy hot, have no effect on me.

One usage not mentioned here is for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The gel when used on the feet at night (covered with appropriate socks) will increase the blood flow to the feet and thus relieve some of the numbness and pain. It also alleviates athletes foot fungus at the same time. Everyone I have mentioned this to has offered me a wealth of gratitude because it is so easy and improved their quality of life. Increasing the blood flow to the effected area is the key.

For shoulder pain (rotator cuff tendinitis?) I found that what worked for me was simple Vicks (or generic versions) massaged into the shoulder. All the stronger rubs...shoulder "pads"...etc...didn't.

I find Biofreeze very helpful for pain from scar tissue adhesions that sometimes wakes me up at night. After a few minutes I can get back to sleep.

As a practicing Chiropractor. I agree there is likely little actual pain modification with these menthol creams. I carry a few and one with CBD. I do get comments that they work quite well for most. However, I do think there is a placebo effect with most of these gels/creams as it is something they can do for themselves which gives the illusion of benefit at times. Also, the "tingling" sensation of menthol can distract from the pain intensity.

I get bouts of restless legs when trying to sleep. My knees develop an odd sensation that wakes me up with the urge to move my legs trying to stop the feeling. Applying Biofreeze over the areas is the only thing that can get me back to sleep. The cooling sensation replaces the other feeling. And yes, I also take magnesium at bedtime and have researched this condition. I also have to avoid bananas. They seem to be a trigger. The Biofreeze is a lifesaver when I get flares.

Could you compare Arnica to some of the cooling agents for pain relief.
also which are the best Omega 3 products
Thanks you