Topical Ibuprofen: Alternatives to Oral Pain Relievers

Pain is pervasive in America, and it's not just the kind caused by rising gas and grocery prices or the current mortgage crisis. Some 50 million Americans live with chronic pain linked to disease, while another 25 million experience periodic pain caused by injury or surgery, according to a national pain survey by Ortho-McNeil.

Yet recent headlines about harmful side effects of some popular prescription pain medications have many people thinking twice before swallowing a pill for their aches. Consumers are rediscovering the benefits of topical pain relief.

While oral medications can be a boon to many dealing with pain, for others there are distinct advantages to topical pain relief. Benefits of topical pain relief include:

* Topical pain relievers bypass the digestive system so there is little or no risk of side effects that can potentially damage internal organs like the stomach, liver or even heart.

* Topicals do not carry the risk of addiction associated with some prescription oral pain relievers.

* Topicals are applied directly to the painful location, meaning effects are faster and less concentration is needed to achieve pain relief.

* Because less gets into the blood stream, topical pain relievers pose little risk of interacting with other oral medications you may be taking.

* Some people find them easier to use than oral medications. Seniors or others with dexterity challenges may find it easier to apply a topical treatment than to open a pill bottle. Topical pain relievers also don't require you to remember to take them at a specific time or in a prescribed interval.

For Sam Grammer, a world-class athlete who competes in the Highland Games -- a competition that recreates "Braveheart"-era sporting events from the Scottish highlands -- topical pain relief not only helps him compete, but train as well.

"An average competition for me consists of throwing stones that weigh 16 to more than 30 pounds," Grammer says. "As you can imagine, this caliber of competition puts an intense amount of strain on my muscles and joints."

Grammer first discovered Ibunex while reading a podiatry magazine. He was drawn to the product because it contains a mixture of Ibuprofen, Glucosamine, Chondroitin Sulfate, MSM and Bromelain, all key ingredients known to have wide benefits in joint health management.

"I've had a few knee surgeries and have made it a standard part of my day to take Glucosamine products," Grammer says. "Also, I had just hurt my shoulder during a lifting session and had been using other topicals to help the pain. After trying Ibunex on my shoulder and feeling the pain disappear, this product has never left my side. Anyone who has sore muscles or joints can benefit from using this product."