As I write this article, I am painfully aware that I am sharing more than advice on the best pain relief patches, I am actually divulging my demographic. Yes, I belong to the age group where pain relief patches, liniments and smelly oils are part of regular conversation. Lately, because of too much hand washing (not saying that I’m against it–I’m actually a strong advocate of frequent hand washing in order to beat this pandemic), my hands are not in good shape. I have been a crafter since my grade school days, and combined with copious amounts of typing on the computer, my nerves are fried. The pain has extended to my arms and neck, hence the constant need for these pain relievers. By the way, I’m also either too acidic or allergic to regular muscle relaxants (like Alaxan and Ponstan) so I am wholly dependent on patches for any sort of relief.
So after that loooong intro, let me get down to business. The first patch that I am advocating is the Salonpas patch by Hisamitsu. It’s a Japanese brand that’s been with me since forever. It comes in these cloth-like rectangles that can be placed directly on top of your aching muscles.
I usually use them after a fun run or when I have a stiff neck. What it does is it releases this minty, almost spicy analgesic that is good for about 8 hours of wearing (according to the packaging). The active ingredient in it is methyl salicylate, menthol, Vitamin E and Camphor. The good news is that if it is really a muscle ache, it activates in a matter of minutes. But if it is any other kind of deep pain, you will not even feel its effect. Plus, the adhesive is so strong that it adheres to hair which makes it very painful to remove. On the other hand, if you want to have a pain relief patch AND a waxing session at the same time, then this is the product to use!
The second patch that I have recently discovered because of this quarantine is the elevated version of the Salonpas. It’s a bigger rectangle coated in a gel-like substance. I noticed that it only contains methyl salicylate and menthol, but that it is effective for 12 hours. Another good thing about it is that apart from covering a bigger area, it doesn’t adhere to hair, so it’s not a pain to remove in the morning. However, if you toss and turn in bed, I can’t assure you that the patch will still be there when you wake up.
Finally, and this one is my current favorite, we have the Tiger Balm Plaster-RD. It has camphor, dementholized mint oil, eucalyptus oil, menthol and capsicum extract.
It doesn’t claim how long its pain relieving action works, but from my experience, I can still feel its effects when I wake up in the morning. Plus, it’s the only one that seems to work on me when I have lower back pain caused by period cramps. It also says that it makes the area feel warm, but from personal experience, it feels more spicy than warm.
All three products actually work, but for me, the only one that gives me enough relief on my lower back is the Tiger Balm Plaster-RD. It is the most expensive of the three, and it is also the one that has the most number of steps for application. But hey, if it helps you sleep at night, then just go head and use it.
I hope this article is helpful in your quest for a literally less painful life!
Sari-Sari Stories 