Which heat cream should I use?

There are a lot of different heat creams available on the market and it can be confusing to work out which one is best for you.

Heat creams can be a great option if you’re on-the-go to deliver targeted heat to your muscle tissues, particularly if isn’t practical to sit down with a heat pack or get into a warm epsom salts bath. They can also be a great option to use when at work, during sporting events or overnight while you sleep.

But are all heat creams the same? Definitely not!

Before we look at some of my favourite cream recommendations, it’s important to look at the active ingredients in some of them as they all work differently. There are essentially two different types of creams available in chemists and supermarkets – heat creams and anti-inflammatory creams.

Heat Creams

Some creams may be menthol or camphor based, some may contain essential oils or homeopathic ingredients to reduce pain and inflammation. They give heat to the skin and hopefully to the soft tissues beneath the skin. Their active ingredients will also help to relieve pain and inflammation, but only mildly. Some of the more popular brands of this type of heat cream include Deep Heat, Eagle Balm, Tiger Balm, Doterra Ice Blue and Metsal.

Anti-inflammatory Creams

Some topical creams have anti-inflammatory agents in them which won’t actually warm the skin (such as Voltaren, Difflam and Neurofen gel). However, these ones can be good for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis and bursitis. However, if you have issues with taking anti-inflammatory medications, these may not be appropriate for you. It’s important to note that these creams are not heat creams per se, more of a cream that reduces inflammation rather than warming the muscles. A simple but important difference!

My favourite heat creams

I’m often asked for recommendations for heat creams and which ones are my favourites. My hands down favourite is Eagle Balm (also called Balsem Lang). If you’ve ever had heat cream applied on you in the clinic, it’s probably this one. Eagle Balm has a peppermint smell and is largely menthol and camphor based, giving a good amount of heat to the muscle tissues and lasting for a good few hours after application. Eagle Balm is tricky to source around Perth, but much easier to find in Asia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Another fantastic product is Michael’s Medirub. This product also provides warmth, although not as strongly as Eagle Balm. However, it contains a homeopathic ingredient called arnica, as well as essential oils, which help to relieve pain and relax muscle tissues. You can find Michael’s Medirub at most pharmacies.

Remember you should always consult a health professional before using any topical cream. Always read the label and if you develop any issues or irritation, stop using it and consult a health professional.

If you need to chat about which cream is more suitable for you, just ask me at your next appointment or get in contact here. You can book an appointment online here.