---
title: "Topical Pain Relief — Evidence-Graded Longevity Products | Magellan"
description: "Evidence-graded topical pain relief — 5 products, each linked to peer-reviewed research and PubMed citations."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/c/7.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/c/7.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/c/7.html"
type: "category"
section: "Topical Pain Relief"
products: 5
citations: 84
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Topical Pain Relief

[Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › Topical Pain Relief

**HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/c/7.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/cat/7

## What this category is

Every product below is graded on the strength of the human and mechanistic research behind it and linked to its primary PubMed citations — independent of affiliate commissions. 5 products, 84 distinct peer-reviewed citations in total.

## Evidence grade distribution

| Evidence grade | Products |
| --- | --- |
| Emerging evidence | 1 |
| Moderate evidence | 3 |
| Strong evidence | 1 |

## Every product in Topical Pain Relief

| Product | Evidence grade | Citations | Typical price | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel (Diclofenac 1%)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/212.md) | Strong evidence | 17 | $23.12 | Randomized trials and meta-analyses, including Cochrane reviews, indicate that topical diclofenac provides modest but… |
| [Capzasin-HP Capsaicin 0.1% Pain Relief Cream (Pack of 3)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/213.md) | Moderate evidence | 17 | $45.99 | Randomized trials and meta-analyses show that topical capsaicin produces modest reductions in pain from hand and knee… |
| [Aspercreme 4% Lidocaine Pain Relief Cream](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/214.md) | Moderate evidence | 22 | $13.00 | The best-supported use of topical lidocaine is localized neuropathic pain, especially postherpetic neuralgia, where… |
| [Biofreeze Menthol Pain Relief Gel](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/215.md) | Emerging evidence | 18 | $15.99 | Menthol is used for the temporary relief of minor muscle and joint pain, including strains, arthritis, and… |
| [Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch (Methyl Salicylate + Menthol)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/216.md) | Moderate evidence | 18 | $19.99 | Randomized trials of methyl-salicylate/menthol patches and menthol-based topical products show modest, short-term… |

## The research behind this category

The studies cited most often across the 5 products above. Quotes are verbatim from the cited abstract.

### Most-cited studies

1. **Topical analgesics for acute and chronic pain in adults - an overview of Cochrane Reviews.**
   Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017 · [PMID 28497473](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28497473/) · [DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD008609.pub2](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD008609.pub2)

   > In chronic musculoskeletal conditions with assessments over 6 to 12 weeks, topical diclofenac and ketoprofen had limited efficacy in hand and knee osteoarthritis, as did topical high-concentration capsaicin in postherpetic neuralgia.

2. **Efficacy and safety of topical diclofenac/menthol gel for ankle sprain: a randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled trial**
   J Int Med Res 2017 · [PMID 28345425](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28345425/) · [DOI 10.1177/0300060517700322](https://doi.org/10.1177/0300060517700322)

   > No significant improvement was observed with topical 1% diclofenac/3% menthol gel compared with placebo, 1% diclofenac, or 3% menthol gel in treating pain from ankle sprain.

3. **Comparison of diclofenac gel, ibuprofen gel, and ibuprofen gel with levomenthol for topical treatment of musculoskeletal pain**
   J Int Med Res 2019 · [PMID 31353997](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31353997/) · [DOI 10.1177/0300060519859146](https://doi.org/10.1177/0300060519859146)

   > Both ibuprofen/levomenthol and diclofenac gels provided superior global pain relief compared with ibuprofen gel, with a shorter median time to significant pain relief. Only ibuprofen/levomenthol gel provided cooling for up to 2 hours.

4. **Efficacy and safety profile of a topical methyl salicylate and menthol patch in adult patients with mild to moderate muscle strain: a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter study.**
   Clin Ther 2010 · [PMID 20171409](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20171409/) · [DOI 10.1016/j.clinthera.2010.01.016](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2010.01.016)

   > The primary efficacy analysis (SPID8 with movement) indicated that patients receiving the active patch experienced significantly greater pain relief (approximately 40%) than those patients receiving a placebo patch (mean [SD], 182.6 [131.2] vs 130.1 [144.1]; P = 0.005).

5. **A randomized, double-blind comparison shows the addition of oxygenated glycerol triesters to topical mentholated cream for the treatment of acute musculoskeletal pain demonstrates incremental benefit over time.**
   Pain Pract 2012 · [PMID 22304620](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22304620/) · [DOI 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2012.00529.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1533-2500.2012.00529.x)

   > Patients in both groups experienced statistically significant pain relief on Day 8 over baseline, with the MC plus OGT-treated group reporting statistically significantly greater pain relief than the MC group (P = 0.016).

6. **The role and mechanism of action of menthol in topical analgesic products.**
   J Clin Pharm Ther 2018 · [PMID 29524352](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29524352/) · [DOI 10.1111/jcpt.12679](https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpt.12679)

   > Menthol is a selective activator of transient receptor potential melastatin-8 (TRPM8) channels and is also a vasoactive compound. As a topical agent, it acts as a counter-irritant by imparting a cooling effect and by initially stimulating nociceptors and then desensitizing them.

7. **Menthol-Based Topical Analgesic Induces Similar Upper and Lower Body Pain Pressure Threshold Values: A Randomized Trial.**
   J Sport Rehabil 2021 · [PMID 34552033](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34552033/) · [DOI 10.1123/jsr.2021-0144](https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2021-0144)

   > A menthol-based topical analgesic increased PPT (decreased pain sensitivity) overall (P = .05; 11.6% [2.4%]; d = 1.05) and PPT was higher (P < .0001; 31.5%-44.2%; d = 1.03-1.8) for lower versus upper body locations.

8. **Topical capsaicin (high concentration) for chronic neuropathic pain in adults**
   Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2017 · [PMID 28085183](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28085183/) · [DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD007393.pub4](https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD007393.pub4)

   > High-concentration topical capsaicin used to treat postherpetic neuralgia, HIV-neuropathy, and painful diabetic neuropathy generated more participants with moderate or substantial levels of pain relief than control.

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## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).