Getting to Know Joint Pain Medications That Don't Make Pain

Joint pain medications don't have to cause a stinging sensation. Some people often use balm, gels, or joint pain relief creams containing capsaicin to relieve joint pain. In fact, creams or gels containing diclofenac sodium are actually more appropriate to use to treat joint pain without giving a stinging sensation.

Joints are the connecting medium between bones. The joints in your body provide support and help you move. Damage to the joints caused by disease or injury, apparently can interfere with your movement and also cause pain.

Causes of Joint Pain

Several conditions can cause joint pain, namely: osteoarthritis, injuries such as fractures, sprains, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, to viral infections. Excessive activities such as standing too long, jumping, and lifting heavy weights can also cause joint pain.

Joint Pain Treatment

Treatment of joint pain is tailored to the underlying cause. For home remedies, you can do cold compresses, rest, and also drugs to treat pain and inflammation. You can try using a topical medication (ointment) to treat pain, such as diclofenac sodium gel, which can be purchased over the counter without a doctor's prescription.

Comparison of Diclofenac Sodium and Capsaicin

Some people prefer to use creams or gels containing diclofenac sodium or capsaicin to relieve their joint pain. But the two types of drugs have different ways of working. The following is an explanation of the two ingredients of the joint pain medication:

  • Diclofenac sodium

    Diclofenac is a class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can treat joint pain. These drugs work to reduce inflammation and reduce substances in the body that cause pain without causing a burning or stinging sensation. Diclofenac sodium gel is usually used to relieve pain due to osteoarthritis in certain joints, such as the knee, ankle, foot, elbow, wrist, and hand areas. If joint pain is felt in many parts of the body, oral or tablet diclofenac sodium can be used. In addition to working as an anti-pain and inflammation, NSAIDs such as diclofenac sodium also have another effect, namely reducing fever. However, this drug should not be used in people with heart disease.

  • Capsaicin

    Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers that creates their spicy taste. This active ingredient is used in topical medications such as creams and lotions to relieve muscle aches or joint pain. Creams containing capsaicin when applied to the body will cause a stinging sensation that activates certain nerve cells. The use of creams containing this active ingredient to treat joint pain is not recommended if: there is an allergy to chili or topical capsaicin drugs, it is used in children, and there are open wounds or irritated skin. You are advised to wash the area of ​​​​the skin that is applied to this medicine, if the burning or stinging sensation causes discomfort or makes your skin red. Immediately clean with clean water if capsaicin comes into contact with mucosa such as: eyes, mouth, or nose.

Maybe joint pain medications containing capsaicin and diclofenac sodium are similar, which can treat the joint pain you are experiencing. But in reality it is not. Joint pain medications containing capsaicin seem to only divert the joint pain experienced, so that the pain seems to decrease. But capsaicin doesn't treat inflammation, which is the main cause of pain. Meanwhile, diclofenac sodium can indeed overcome the problem of joint pain without causing pain in the area of ​​the body that the drug is applied to.

This makes diclofenac sodium better used to treat joint pain. In addition, studies have revealed that creams or gels containing diclofenac sodium are more effective and effective for treating osteoarthritis of the knee.

If complaints of pain still occur after trying the methods above, especially if you have a fever, pain persists for more than 3 days, weight loss, or joint pain and swelling for no apparent reason, then immediately go to the doctor.