According to the Centers for Disease Control National Center for Health Statistics, "One in four U.S. adults say they suffered a day-long bout of pain in the past month, and 1 in 10 say the pain lasted a year or more." As adults get older, the numbers increase. According to the NCHS report, "One-fifth of adults 65 years and older said they had experienced pain in the past month that persisted for more than 24 hours," and "Almost three-fifths of adults 65 and older with pain said it had lasted for 1 year ore more."

These alarming statistics point to an enormous amount of suffering and loss of productivity and quality of life among Americans. After all, when a person is in a lot of pain, they can't work, enjoy their families, or engage in recreational activities. Acute pain - such as that experienced as a result of an injury - can lead to reliance on prescription drugs, while chronic pain - like that accompanying health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or other joint pain - can lead to depression.

Treatments for Pain

According to the National Pain Foundation, treatments for pain fall into five categories: injection and surgery, psychological approaches, physical therapy, complementary or alternative, and medications. Arthritis pain can be relieved by injections of steroids or medications that lubricate the joints, as well as by joint replacement surgery. Psychological approaches often include relaxation techniques and counseling. Physical therapy can consist of massage, exercise, and applying heat to provide arthritis pain relief. Complementary therapies can include everything from acupuncture and hypnosis to biofeedback and dietary supplements.

When it comes to arthritis treatment and other types of pain relief, however, most people first turn to medications. One major class of drugs is known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, like aspirin or ibuprofen. Unfortunately, many of those suffering from joint pain or muscular pain develop stomach problems from these medications, or find that they interact with other medications and are an inappropriate treatment. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, corticosteroids or narcotics are often used in the treatment of joint pain, although sometimes with serious side effects.

Topical Creams

One of the most effective pain treatments - especially for arthritis pain relief - is a topical cream that penetrates through the sub-epidermal level of the skin. By blocking out pain transmitters and starting localized healing, a topical cream can convey all of the benefits of NSAIDs without the side effects. Available without a prescription, certain creams have been thoroughly studied by medical researchers and have been reported to be effective in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

A topical cream can help people with a wide variety of medical conditions, including arthritis, fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and bursitis. It can also help prevent workout-related injuries and cramping.

Chronic pain has a deleterious effect on the health and well-being of millions of Americans. Finding a means of alleviating or lessening that pain is a relief, in every sense of the word.