Biofreeze

[Eve]

I have been looking it up as tempted to try some to see if it helps with muscular pain in my shoulderblades and it's nearly £10 for the gel or a spray.

I'm intrigued as to why it's so expensive, as opposed to other cooling pain relief gels and, indeed, heat and general ones like Voltarol, has it got something special in it that is worth the price?

[Brinjal]

I like volatren emugel. It's brilliant.

[woofgang]

My DH tried it and he said it was useless. Pain between the shoulderblades is often caused by stress...no painkiller will help, you need to learn to relax the tight muscles.

[Eve]

I like Voltarol too.

I've been having a lot of work with physio and exercises, accupuncture by physio, including TENS machine and yesterday they released a load of joints off which were really tight round my ribs and spine. I have stiff ribs apparently! Some used to slip out of place and get costochondritis sometimes - maybe connected to fibromyalgia and don't think my rhumatoid arthritis affects those bits.

The muscles round my shoulderblades and neck are quite thick apparently from inflammation etc... Physio is great but it just comes back. I've been working on posture (I apparently arch my back which doesn't help) and such to help too.

There is one particular really painful spot which makes it so uncomfortable during work. Am trying to think of something which will help ease it. I wrap a piece of lint round my bra strap to cushion it and have a pillow on my work chair too.

I used to use a hot water bottle at my old work but I was sat for longer periods, I have to move too much now so thinking more gel or patches or something.

[parkie]

I've used Biofreeze but found the relief only temporary.
I find an ice pack helpful when I have inflammation but appreciate it is not always practical, especially at work.
I have had heat pads in the past for other conditions and they are effective but can also be expensive.