While we typically talk about, and review, tech-related gear to use for workouts and recovery, we find that sometimes you have to go low tech to get relief. At least low tech in the end product. We’re sure that a certain level of tech goes into this stuff. In this case we got to try out Arnicare Arnica Gel from Boiron. This gel uses a homeopathic form of arnica montana to help ease muscle pain and soreness. It also helps reduce healing time of bruises.
I’ve used Arnicare in the past though mostly for bruises. In the past I would get a bruise, put it on once or twice, then forget to re-apply on a regular basis and therefore I didn’t always see the result I was expecting.
Then I got a fresh tube of Arnicare and a vial of homeopathic tablets to be taken internally. At this point I started to realize that I can use this for pain relief, and not just bruises. Around the time I opened the package from Boiron I realized that I had a searing pain in my left shoulder from sitting at the computer too long. So I wasted no time in putting the gel to use.
The Arnicare gel is cool when you put it on. This is because alcohol is one of the first ingredients. It doesn’t have that icy-hot feeling you get from many other pain relief ointments as it works very differently. Once the gel is absorbed you forget you even applied it. But you also forget about the pain, because it sort of just disappears. If course this won’t be true for all pain you might use this on, but in most cases it will subside.
The effect is so subtle that you won’t realize that the pain is gone, or reduced. The problem with this gel is probably that you forget about the pain when it goes away, and don’t realize how well it worked. And then you forget to re-apply when the pain comes back, or you get a new pain.
I also tried the homeopathic pills. These are sublingual and need to be dissolved under your tongue. This helps when you have a really grueling workout and you would need to coat your whole body in the gel in order to get all the affected areas. You want to take these a few times a day in order to see results.
The Arnicare arnica gel really does work wonders. It takes away pain and doesn’t force a trade-off like that icy-hot feeling, or greasy hands after application. While that icy and warm feeling can be good sometimes, it’s also nice to use a gel that feels like it’s not there because it’s doing its job so well.
Pros:
- Works on trauma, muscle aches, stiffness, swelling from injuries and discoloration from bruising.
- reduces or relieves pain
Cons:
- requires re-application