Anti-inflammatory pills may be beneficial if you are in pain, but they do have side effects. The rising side effects of these tablets raise concerns and cause people to consider inflammatory creams and gels like Voltaren Emulgel and Topical as a substitute. The real question that strikes everyone’s minds over here is, are these gels and creams really effective, and if so, which one is the best?

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Anti-inflammatory Options

There is a variety of options range in effectiveness and side effects when it comes to anti-inflammatory medication. The most powerful and effective anti-inflammatory medication is corticosteroid injection. Like any other medication, these injections do have some side effects, including flare of pain, infection, anxiety, and short-term weakness in tissues. Dry needling is also an effective method to relieve pain.

Oral anti-inflammatory medication is another effective option, such as prednisolone, which contains steroids. Some of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are available over the counter, with or without prescription, including Nurofen, Voltaren Emugel (without a prescription), and Mobic, Celebrex (with prescription).

Do Anti-inflammatory Gels & Creams Work?

Many reviews and studies have brought the effectiveness of rubbed painkillers into the light. In acute conditions, they offer a good level of relief in pain, such as strains, sprains, and overuse injuries. For these situations, gels and creams help in reducing the pain by half over about one week. These drugs are specifically made to relieve pain in joints, muscle sprain, and strain. Therefore, the answer to this question is yes these anti-inflammatory drugs do work.

Factors determining the effectiveness of Anti-inflammatory gels and creams

Concentration: The tendency of how much drug is absorbed by the tissue depends upon how strong the gel or cream is or the concentration of anti-inflammatory medication in the gel and cream. For instance, Voltaren has recently launched its Voltaren Emugel with a 12-hour formula, which has approximately twice the concentration of medication as compared to a standard product.
Formula: The right formulation is essential for skin penetration. Many studies have shown that gel is much more effective than cream-based ointments.
Blood Flow: There is a better chance of the medication being absorbed if the blood flow to the area is increased due to heat pack, exercise, hot shower, massage, etc.
Wraps: Doctors who generally treat sport-related injuries often recommend wrapping the affected area. The wrapping is done in a glad wrap after applying the anti-inflammatory gel. This is done to increase the time the gel has to penetrate the skin before being rubbed off or evaporating.
Massage: You should not forget about the advantages of massage that helps in increasing blood flow and relieving pain. Many people believe that anti-inflammatory medicines work more effectively when massage and not the actual application of gel and cream. However, research has proven that anti-inflammatory creams and gels contribute more pain relief than other gels and creams when massaged into the affected area.

Anti-Inflammatory Gels and Creams help which conditions

As discussed earlier, the anti-inflammatory gel and cream penetrate the skin before it can reach the affected tissues. Therefore, the problem area must not be too far away from the skin surface. So, anti-inflammatory creams and gels are more likely to serve in the following conditions:

Achilles tendinitis
ligament strains
acute muscle strains
plantar fasciitis
shin splints
bursitis
patellar tendinitis
tennis and golfer’s elbow
ITB syndrome

Pain from the neck and back comes from deep structures. Therefore, it doesn’t hurt to use anti-inflammatory gels and creams. However, it is advised that topical creams and gels are not to apply to broken skin. If you have eczema or any other infection, you should wear gloves when applying the gel.

In Final Words

The Anti-inflammatory creams and gels are likely to provide pain relief for conditions that are close to the surface of the skin, not in the deep structures like bones. The all-new and advanced Voltaren Emulgel is likely to be the most effective due to its high concentration of the anti-inflammatory agent, which works for 12 hours. You are just required to massage the gel on the affected area, and if comfortable and consider wrapping the area in a glad wrap overnight.