Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68165
that it's a way to provide a cooling element without having to deal with an ice pack. Plus, it's soothing." Warm therapy, on the other hand, is more often used for chronic pain, including arthritis, bursitis, or fibromyalgia. 2. KNOW WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW TO USE THESE PRODUCTS "They're very beneficial, but you want to use them in moderation," says Jean Shea, founder of Biotone, a San Diego-based company that markets the menthol-based lotion Polar Lotion. "You certainly wouldn't use them for an all-over body massage. You should use them only in those areas where the client is complaining of pain." Shea notes that pain gels and lotions tend to work best on joints that are close to the surface and are less effective when pain is deep inside the body. Herbalist Laurie Nitchman, founder of Nature's Light of Bennett, Colorado, makers of PRO Pain Relief Ointment, advises therapists to apply the pain gels and lotions just as they would any sort of massage oil. "The best thing for therapists is to pump some onto their hands to warm it up, then start rubbing it in a circular motion," she says. A note of caution: avoid using a circular motion with analgesics that come in roll-on form. Most are designed to be applied in a straight line, so they don't rotate properly when applied in a circle. Whatever you do, don't forget to thoroughly wash your hands afterward. Water alone typically won't remove all of a pain gel. 3. BEFORE OR AFTER THE MASSAGE? That depends, say experts. If a client comes in complaining of acute pain in a certain spot, massaging that area may well cause extreme discomfort. "We recommend you put the topical on that area, then give it a few minutes before massaging that area," suggests Bob Poirier, vice president of Performance Health Inc., of Akron, Ohio, makers of the Biofreeze pain-relieving product line. "In most cases, you can massage that area effectively within five minutes." Alternatively, a deep-tissue massage may actually create some inflammation and soreness in certain areas, so applying a cool therapy pain reliever immediately after the massage can help limit the resulting discomfort. If you're using warm therapy, however, oil can keep the capsaicin from penetrating the skin. So post-massage application would be less effective. 4. BE WARY OF TOPICAL ANALGESICS CONTAINING IBUPROFEN In August 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings to eight companies for illegally marketing such compounds. Ibuprofen is widely available in tablet form, but the FDA has not approved the sale of any ointments containing the drug. Some companies promoted the ibuprofen topicals as superior to oral ibuprofen because they didn't carry the same risk of side effects, such as stomach ulcers. The FDA disputed that claim. "Some people just get a gel and throw ingredients in there and hope that it works," complained Gurukirn Khalsa, co-owner of Soothing Touch, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, makers of Herbal Heat Gel and Herbal Ice Gel. "The ibuprofen products are a good example of that. Even though the concept seems sound, before people make claims, it's got to have some science behind it." 5. REMEMBER THAT EVEN "ALL- NATURAL" PRODUCTS SHOULD BE HANDLED WITH CARE As with any foreign substance, keep these pain relievers away from clients' eyes, open wounds, or damaged skin. Be sure to ask new clients about known allergies before putting anything on their skin. And take special precautions with pregnant women. "It's always a good idea to go over a product with a new client and find out if there are any allergies in play, any ingredient sensitivities," Khalsa says. Likewise, be wary of wrapping a body part in order to enhance the pain reliever's power. "You don't want to wrap a warm therapy," Baskett advises. "You could really irritate the skin that way." connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 77