Treating the occasional headache with a few ibuprofen and a glass of water might not be cause for concern. The same goes for treating aching limbs after a particularly gruelling workout. Yet when it comes to chronic and persistent pain, you might be doing yourself a disservice by always reaching for the ibuprofen.
Those living with painful conditions like arthritis will be all too familiar with the difficulties of finding sufficient pain relief that is suitable and effective for long-term use. The same goes for those who regularly push their bodies to breaking point through exercise. There comes a point where you need to stop masking the pain and start treating the root cause.
The Risks of Ibuprofen in Pain Relief Gels
Ibuprofen is a popular choice of pain relief, alongside paracetamol. It is readily available over the counter, and it is cheap. Another option would be diclofenac, which you may know by the brand name Voltarol. Both ibuprofen and diclofenac are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). While they might offer a quick fix, neither are suited for long-term use.
Long-term use of ibuprofen is linked to stomach ulcers and other nasty side effects. While ibuprofen gel isn’t absorbed by the skin at quite the same rate as ibuprofen pills taken orally, there are still risks associated with long-term use. Diclofenac also comes with a fairly extensive list of potential side effects.
According to the US-based website MedLine Plus, “People who take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (other than aspirin) such as diclofenac may have a higher risk of having a heart attack or a stroke than people who do not take these medications.” This site also advises against long-term use.
High-strength pain relief gel applied over a large area could result in your body absorbing more of the active ingredient than expected. The active ingredients are absorbed into the bloodstream and then filtered out by the liver. Long-term use can therefore put additional strain on the liver – particularly when individuals pair their pain relief gel with oral painkillers.
Natural Alternatives: The Rise of CBD Gels
Saying goodbye to ibuprofen doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to topical pain relief. When dealing with specific pain conditions – such as overworked muscles or joints – it’s helpful to be able to apply pain relief exactly where you need it.
This is where CBD pain relief gels can quickly steal the show. With all-natural ingredients, there is a lower risk of adverse effects. It’s also possible to combine CBD with hot and cold therapy, which can be highly effective in addressing inflammatory conditions.
For the uninitiated, CBD is a compound extracted from the cannabis or hemp plant. It stands for cannabidiol and it is known to interact with the endocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a cell messaging system that helps to maintain balance – or homeostasis – in essential processes throughout the body, including pain and inflammation response.
Spotlight on HEMPE Hot and Ice Gels
If you’re ready to explore ibuprofen alternatives, HEMPE offers a range of topical CBD products to explore. HEMPE Hot and Ice Gels combine the benefits of hot and cold therapy with the benefits of natural CBD isolate to help target pain and inflammation in the muscles and joints.
Alternating between the two gels can provide targeted relief when you need it. The warming HEMPE Hot Gel is enriched with eucalyptus oil, clove oil and menthol to deliver a warming sensation that encourages blood flow to the area to help kickstart the healing process.
Pair this with the HEMPE Ice Gel, which contains peppermint oil, pine oil and menthol to constrict the blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the area. This helps to reduce swelling and inflammation which, in turn, helps to reduce pain.
Unlike ibuprofen pain relief gel, you can reapply HEMPE Hot And Ice Gels regularly throughout the day. Our customers love to alternate between the two, as this is a tried and tested method for relieving pain.
Why Choose CBD Over Ibuprofen?
When it comes to pain relief, we know that long-term use of any medication should be avoided. When there are natural methods of pain relief available in abundance, it makes sense to choose methods that will support the healing process rather than simply masking the pain for the short term.
Masking the pain with ibuprofen will only leave you in a position where you have to increase your dosage of painkillers to achieve the same effect. Most doctors will advise you not to use ibuprofen for more than two weeks, and to stop if you start to experience any negative side effects.
This makes ibuprofen ineffective for any kind of recurring or chronic pain condition. Muscle soreness after the gym and arthritis are two excellent examples of conditions where pain gels without ibuprofen are essential.
Alongside consistently powerful user testimonials, HEMPE Hot And Ice Gels are also NSF Certified For Sport. This prestigious programme helps athletes, dieticians, coaches and customers to make safer choices when it comes to personal care products. Achieving NSF Certified for Sport status signifies that the product is safe to use and tested for quality and purity.
How to Use CBD Gels for Optimal Pain Relief
Adding CBD gels to your routine as an ibuprofen alternative is incredibly simple. Think of HEMPE Hot Gel as a more natural and skin-friendly alternative to Deep Heat.
You apply a thin layer to clean and dry skin and allow this to soak into the skin. Only a small amount is needed to cover a large area.
You can then dress and get on with your day as the pleasant warming sensation helps to boost circulation and kick-start the healing process. Instead of just masking the pain, it actually triggers the healing process.
Following intense exercise or overuse of your muscles or joints, you might be feeling the effects. This is when you would reach for the HEMPE Ice Gel and massage into the affected area.
Like the Hot Gel, the Ice Gel glides easily onto the skin and absorbs quickly. You’ll feel the cooling sensation spread throughout the affected area and deliver targeted pain relief that targets inflammation and promotes ease of movement.
You can reapply throughout the day as required, so you don’t have to feel restricted by the NSAID content. You won’t build a tolerance to the pain-relieving properties, as it is simply triggering the natural healing process. This means you don’t have to increase usage to achieve the same effects.
Final Thoughts On Pain Relief Gels (Without Ibuprofen)
Those who have exhausted all pharmaceutical interventions to manage their pain may look for mainstream pain gels without ibuprofen and feel disappointed in the results.
Popular pharmacy choices include Deep Heat and own-brand alternatives, but a quick look at the label will reveal that these are loaded with artificial ingredients that can cause irritation to the skin and the airways.
A far better alternative would be to reach for all-natural solutions that work in harmony with your body to help trigger the natural healing process. There is a sense of security that can be found in using natural products. Solutions found in nature support the idea of whole-of-body healing, rather than simply masking symptoms.