Voltarol or tiger balm for joint pain relief?

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I looked up Tiger Balm and found several versions of it. Which is best white or red?

I have osteoarthritis, sciatica along with various other back problems and I’ve tried a lit of different remedies. I stopped taking Voltarol orally afte about 12 years as I was worried about stomach ulcers but do rub 2.32% gel in if I’m having a particularly bad day which certainly does help me. I wouldn’t use it regularly though because of the Ibuprofen in it. If I get a flair up of my back pain I’ve found the best thing is a course (about 6 visits) of acupuncture. Used a TENs machine for 7 years until I became too sensitive to even the special sensitive pads. The TENS machine was a life saver for me so that was very disappointing. I find Flexiseq marvellous for my arthritic knees and fingers but can’t use it every day as it causes my skin on my knees to really dry out. Shame because it really works. I also joined a gym when I retired (about 6 years ago) and (ore Covid) did Aquarobics five days a week. That doesn’t rid me of pain but it does give me more flexibility and also a good feeling that I’ve exercised. Unfortunately through all this I still need to take regular Morphine. The less active I am the stiffer I am with more pain. After a night in bed, on a Tempur mattress with a Tempur mattress topper on top of that I ‘m obviously at my stiffest. Slowly getting out of bed and gently walking it out (with my morning dose of Morphine) helps. There’s nothing like regular exercise but as I’m on crutches Aquarobics is the only form I can take. As the water gives you that buoyancy I don’t find exercise in the pool painful. I can’t exercise like some of the girls but I keep up as much as I’m able to. My teacher is aware of my problems and that there are some exercises I can’t do. Glucosamine and Condroitin didn’t do a thing for me but I shall certainly try the Tiger balm.

My mother often uses Tiger Balm (Red) for aching joints and Tiger Balm (white) for sinus congestion. Has done for years.

I was interested to hear about the Tiger Balm. I have osteoarthritis in my leg joints from falling off other people's motorbikes when I was younger and have been taking Naproxen for years. Reading about the lady who has put on weight with it, I wonder if it is causing the swelling in my legs. It's got quite bad over the last 2 years. The Naproxen helps but not as much as I'd like so I've just added Tiger Balm to my shopping list. I'm hoping it will help my left hip which gets very painful especially since losing weight over the last year.

So much to try!! I think I will get in touch with my GP again and get another test for rheumatoid arthritis, I don’t think they can identify it but there are markers apparently.... and thank you all for taking the time to reply ???

Pammie1

Can I ask if you’ve seen your GP ? I’ve no wish to be an alarmist but I started with pain in my knee joint 12 months ago - nothing worked and after being referred to a specialist I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Am now on medication which has sorted out the pain and is helping prevent the spread. I’m not saying your pain will be this, but all the same, it’s worth having it checked out because if it is some form of arthritis all the painkillers in the world won’t help until you get the right treatment, and rheumatoid arthritis in particular can spread throughout your joints unless you get prompt treatment. In the meantime avoid anything with anti inflammatory medication in it - which Voltarol has. Eventually it gives you stomach problems - my late husband took Diclofenac on prescription for joint pain and ended up in hospital with a stomach bleed. Tiger Balm is good and someone upthread mentioned Bee Venom, which is available from Amazon - also good.

Thanks Pammie.....My mother had rheumatoid arthritis for many many years and she died about 22 years ago at the age of 69, (A year older than I am now )she was in a care home and she could hardly move at all,she even had to have a drink of water squirted in her mouth with a syringe. I was tested a few years ago for rheumatoid arthritis and didn’t have it but maybe I should have another test....

My knee has been very painful over the past few months and just had it xrayed last week. Am pretty sure it is osteoarthritis. I find olbas oil deadens the pain enough for me to get to sleep. My doctor also recommended tiger's balm. I find ibuprofen gel gives little relief and and am reluctant to use it as I already take naproxen. My Mum suffered terribly from osteoarthritis and gout and was on medication for years. Just months before she dies she was told by a consultant that the years of medication had contributed to her kidney problems. If I do have osteoarthritis I will be happy to give acupuncture a try - my late husband had it for a serious back problem and it really helped (even though he was terrified of needles!)

16 years ago I was suffering with knee pain. Since taking a regular dose of glucosamine and chondroitin the pain has never returned. I am now 65 and hope this will continue for as long as possible. Hope you find something that works for you. Good luck x

I have arthritis in my hands and wrists. My daughter bought me some CBD thermal joint gel with arnica and glucosamine at Christmas. I have been using it for about 4 months and am now able to knit, crochet and drive my car without pain! I have recently tried it on my painful knees and it had been amazing. Having read all the earlier posts I might try the Tumeric too!

I have had osteoporosis arthritis in both knees for some time. At first GP prescribed anti inflamatories but I had to discontinue because my kidney function was affected. Voltarol is out of the question.
Versus Arthritis charity recommend turmeric so I have started taking capsules of that and black pepper.

There are quite a few creams and gels and I suppose it's best to try one and if it doesn't help then work your way through them, bee venom, mussels, tiger balm, hemp cream etc. I have ordered the Musselflex (or Musselex?) to start with. From the reviews it seems that what works for one person doesn't for another, which applies to everything really, so all you can do is keep trying new things.

Try Wong to Yick, Wood Lock Medicated Balm. Used it on my frozen shoulder and it was soooo good. Get it from Chinese Medicine shops.

Just checked Hemp Active Gel again on Amazon , can buy small tube for less £10 , so worth trying , Amazon says it their best seller with nearly 20,00 reviews.

I’d bought tub of Hemp Active Gel. (5Kind) from Amazon , has loads good reviews, its bit expensive @ £20 but it’s big tub and little goes long way . I’ve only just started using it so hopefully will help . Will report back in few days time .

I have tried many things to no satisfaction except for this
doTerra Ice Blue.
Info regarding it Ice Blue Rub™ is a rich, topical cream infused with the Ice Blue® Athletic Blend of essential oils. Formulated with a proprietary blend of natural plant extracts and other powerful ingredients, Ice Blue Rub™ provides a comforting sensation of cooling and warmth to problem areas.

Made with dōTERRA’s top-selling Ice Blue® essential oil blend of Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomille, Helichrysum, Ylang Ylang and Osmanthus, this is an essential addition to your bathroom cabinet and gym bag.
I am 65 and do have lots of arthritis and it was limiting me terribly. I am back riding horses again, climbing on and off things, running after escapees (dogs) etc. Nothing stops me now. My hubby is a GP and hocus pocus stuff to him, but he is a convert now after using it himself. It may come under a different name in your country as I am in Australia

Trays? Xrays! ?

I have arthritis in my thumbs and wrists. Trays confirm the wear and tear. I had constant pain at the base of my right thumb and shooting pains up my left forearm when changing gear. No more pain! What has changed? For five years I've done 5:2 fasting, which has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body. It certainly works for me and no drugs or gels.

Aveline

I've never had a good result from Voltarol. It's disappointing. Tiger Balm is such a wonderful name but I've never thought of using it on joints. The Bee venom stuff sounds scary but great! Will check out both.

The original Voltarol (1%) never did my foot any good, but there's now a 2.3% available, which does help a lot.

I’ve also osteoarthritis in most of my joints. I take several different pills as prescribed by my remy doctor. I also have a heat pad and a electric throw heat works well. I also use tiger balm. But you are never going to completely take it away. I know hospital always say keep active and watch your weight but that’s easy said than done when your in pain lol

I used Voltarol but the doc recommended Phorpain, which someone has already mentioned. I find my tens machine helps too. Thanks for the advice about the smell/stain of Tiger Balm Nannyknee.

I use volterol which gives temporary relief but TigerBalm has a very strong smell and the colouring transfers onto your clothes
And will not wash out.

If you are already taking medication please see a doctor about this.
I have several strong medications for pain including fentanyl patches and oramorph for breakthrough pain.
However I still get pain in my knees, neck, and lower back between doses.
I’ve tried Tiger Balm, and find it works quite well, and have also tried CBD drops in several strengths. They seem to work a little, but aren’t great.
The CBD balms are more effective but are incredibly expensive and only work for a short while before your body gets used to them.
I would suggest that you try either Tiger Balm or Dragon Balm patches.
They work for much longer than the balms and you can cut them to the size you need.
You can find them on Amazon.
I hope you find some relief xx

Turmeric capsules, powders or drinks etc are supposed to be effective and harmless - I've just started them so can't say for sure if they make a difference. The ones with pepper extract are apparently better absorbed by the body.

I use Pernaton cream on my arthritic thumb join!
I take turmeric , cod liver oil, glucosamine , swim and walk as much as possible ! It all helps my 70 year old joints ??