Can anyone explain the theory of Rub on creams as opposed to taking Aspirin for pain?

Question

Are you considerd a pill popper, or a cream addict..

Answer 1

When you swallow a pill, it has to dissolve and be absorbed in your gastrointestinal tract into the bloodstream, from where it travels throughout the body. So you'd get a little aspirin in every part of your body, instead of targeted at a specific place. The rub on creams like Aspercreme have to absorb through the skin into the affected area, passing through the muscles that (I assume) are aching BEFORE they get into the bloodstream and get diluted. So if general muscle aches and pains are your problem, the cremes are better, but for something like a headache, you'd need the pill (unless you'd LIKE slathering your whole head in the stuff, but it still wouldn't be as effective for a headache, since headaches are typically spasms in your blood vessels, so you WANT the aspirin there instead of on the surface... but I digress)

Answer 2

A "rub on cream" is topical and can be absorbed by the skin to go directly to the cause of discomfort. An aspirin must first travel through the blood stream before it can start to show effects. Also, the cream will be more concentrated on the affected area; whereas, the aspirin will be more of a general fix.

Answer 3

A "rub-on cream" is absorbed differently by the body than taking an aspirin by mouth. When aspirin is taken by mouth, it must travel through the digestive system and be broken down into usable by-products. Then, these by-products must travel from the digestive system into the blood-stream. Once in the blood stream, these by-products must travel to the cells where the pain/inflammation is taking place. A cream rubbed on through the skin can be applied directly to the area where the pain is occurring. The skin itself contains many blood vessels through which the cream can be absorbed and used by the body to alleviate pain and inflammation. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

There's a medical theory about pain control called the gateway theory. It has to do with how the nerves carry sensory input through your body to your brain - if you have a lot of stimulation to some nerves it dosen't allow the pain impulse to go to your brain. A lot of the rub on creams (like icy hot) stimulate sensory nerves (the cold or hot feeling) and don't leave enough room on the nerves for the pain sensation to be carried to the brain. (simplest way I can think to explain it).
The only creams that I know of that work differently are creams that contain capsacin (chili pepper.) I think these creams either act as a numbing agent, or as a pain killer.

In any case, any cream you use is best used with doses of ibuprofen (motrin) which will help get rid of pain and reduce any swelling that is adding to the pain.

Answer 5

It depends of the pain.
The rub on creams usually contain methyl salycilate which can penetrate through the skin to your muscle and relieve its pain. Surely you can use it only if you have pain in the muscle. But if you have headache, creams might be useless. You still need to take aspirin as remedy. While in stomach pain, you can't use both.

Answer 6

The skin is the largest organ of the body. We do absorb medications Through our skin. Many "topical" medicines have been made available in the past 10 years or more. When you bump you elbow what do you do first ? I will bet you "rub it". Some of the action may be the medicine and some may be the physical act of rubbing the skin. Who knows

Answer 7

Cream is more immediate, but don't use any water, on the spots that hurt, other wise the cream will come off, and the pain return. Problem is, some creams seem greasy, in feel.

Answer 8

taking a pain killer takes about 30 to 45 min to get around the body, but a cream is called a topical cream because it only takes about 5 min to work.

Answer 9

Aspirin is an acid and can damage the lining of your stomach. Creams don't get into your digestive tract, so you don't risk developing an ulcer from using them.