Have you twisted your ankle? Suffering from some overuse injury in muscles? Arthritis in your knee or shoulder? Many of us immediately reach for an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen, or even the prescription drug diclofenac. Or many of us don’t. That’s because it causes us stomach pain. Even for those who it doesn’t seem to bother, ibuprofen taken systemically can cause bleeding or irritation to the stomach lining. So, it’s not a good idea to take it often even if you believe you are fine with it.

Now, most of you know I’m a homeopathic and nutritionist, so you wonder why I’m suggesting a drug! True, I think you should first reach for homeopathic Arnica, 30 C, or a good Arnica cream. But if you really need an extra whammy, try ibuprofen cream. Now I know you can buy this over the counter in the pharmacy, but it’s pretty expensive.

TIP: I simply take an ibuprofen tablet, and crush it up, in any body lotion or body cream I have. Works like a charm. There you have it: topical ibuprofen cream. Cheap and useful.

But don’t forget your homeopathic Arnica!

(A good brand is *Traumeel or Traumed… And I have no connection with the company that makes them.)

Research links:

~ Topical Administration of Ibuprofen for Injured Athletes: Considerations, Formulations, and Comparison to Oral Delivery

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5629190/

~  Efficacy and safety of 5% ibuprofen cream treatment in knee osteoarthritis. Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14994406/

~ Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with a topical non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug. Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the efficacy and safety of a 5% ibuprofen cream.   Rovenský J, Miceková D, Gubzová Z, Fimmers R, Lenhard G, Vögtle-Junkert U, Schreyger F.Drugs Exp Clin Res. 2001;27(5-6):209-21.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14994406/