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Whether you\u2019ve had an especially intense session and need some quick relief, or you\u2019re feeling the strain of a long training regimen, a serious muscle rub can boost your recovery time as well as tackle specific aches and pains.<\/strong><\/p>\n Some can even treat bruising and chafing marks that can appear while you\u2019re on the bike<\/strong><\/a> or taking off your tri-suit<\/a><\/strong>, while others aim to decrease the lactic acid<\/strong><\/a> you\u2019ve built up. There are a variety of muscle rub deals to choose from so we\u2019ve included our picks of the best below.<\/p>\n But first, for a more detailed breakdown of the different types of muscle rub and how to effectively use them, we\u2019ve spoken with\u00a0Keeley Berry<\/b><\/a>, who\u00a0works\u00a0on\u00a0new product development at BetterYou<\/b>, the UK\u2019s No.1 vitamin oral spray and transdermal magnesium brand. Keeley is a nutritional expert and holds a bachelor\u2019s degree in biomedical science.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most muscle rubs on the market tend to include the active ingredients menthol or methyl salicylate. These special ingredients are naturally occurring within some essential oils such as camphor and wintergreen. <\/span><\/p>\n Menthol and methyl salicylate act as nerve desensitisers, tricking the body into thinking the area feels cold by decreasing arterial blood flow. Sometimes these are combined with capsaicin, a compound found in chilli peppers to boost the warming effect. <\/span><\/p>\n These methods also help to distract the user from the source of the pain by providing a tingling sensation, boosted with cooling or warming elements.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are also other forms of muscle rubs which include NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin to help ease inflammation<\/strong><\/a>, which can be a good alternative for those who experience digestive discomfort when taking the oral versions of these drugs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More recently, athletes have been opting for more natural solutions to muscle and pain relief such as magnesium<\/strong><\/a>. The benefit of magnesium is that it can be applied topically as often as you require. <\/span><\/p>\n Magnesium chloride-based products also come in a variety of formats such as lotions, body sprays and gels.\u00a0<\/span>A single teaspoon of gel massaged into the skin releases 500mg magnesium chloride.<\/span><\/p>\n Traditional muscle rubs tend to be gel or balm based and can leave a sticky residue on the surface of the skin. All these products are applied topically for relief and their effects will last from a couple of hours to most of the day depending on the type of product.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For topical applications, apply to clean, dry, unbroken skin. I would always advise to do a patch test on a small area first as some of these ingredients can irritate the skin. <\/span><\/p>\n Don\u2019t apply to any sensitive areas such as the eyes, face, or genitals and always wash your hands after use.<\/span><\/p>\n For acute pain, NSAID-based products may give more sustained relief. These drug-based solutions can be effective but are not always suitable for everyone. Follow the instructions on the packet and always check with a GP if you\u2019re unsure of its suitability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Most topical products can be applied as often as required, but always check the label. If you start to experience any rashes or still experiencing pain after seven days, always revert to your GP for further assistance.<\/span><\/p>\n In most cases, applying heat whether from a heating lotion or hot water bottle can make injuries and inflammation worse.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat type of muscle rubs are there and how do they work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How should I use muscle rubs?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What circumstances would you use deep heat\/deep freeze\/other muscle rubs and lotions?<\/strong><\/h2>\n