Pain is a complex problem to face, and there are millions of people dealing with it constantly. Chronic pain can be even more stressful, though it is still a significant issue when the pain comes and goes.

A topical pain patch can help alleviate this discomfort, mainly when the patch includes proven ingredients that take care of pain exactly where it occurs. Some patches use the electrical signals that naturally occur in the body to alleviate pain, and others use different compounds to make the discomfort subside.

Since there are so many types of patches available now, finding the best one for the user’s needs is crucial. After much deliberation, this guide has found the top pain relief patches on the market to help consumers get through their discomfort.

The Pain Relief Patches

Based on research, scientific studies, and other criteria, this guide focuses on the following products as the top remedies for pain.

• Kailo
• Luminas
• Signal Relief
• iReliev TENS Mini Pain Relief Patch
• Grown Science Broad Spectrum Nano CBD Patch
• Envy CBD Relief Wraps
• FeelZing
• StaminaPro
• Hemp Bombs CBD Patches
• CBD Infused Patch
• The Good Patch Soothe
• Melzu
• Kaydia Wellness
• Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch
• Bengay Ultra Strength Pain Relieving Patch
• Biofreeze Pain Relief Patch

Read on below to learn about what each one provides users.

Kailo

Kailo is a unique option on this list because it doesn’t include any natural ingredients. Instead, it takes advantage of the biological electrical signals that the body already emits, alleviating pain in a much different way. Already used by professional athletes and celebrities alike, this patch comes with a 95% approval rating, and it is backed by clinical testing. It also comes with a money-back guarantee for the first 90 days.

This patch can reduce pain without any side effects, and it has been reviewed in the Anesthesia and Pain Research Journal. The user has to tape the Kailo patch onto any part of the body experiencing pain. The total cost of the Kailo patch and tape is $119, and it can be reused multiple times.

Luminas

Luminas is another patch that doesn’t require any chemicals or other ingredients to alleviate the pain. There are no side effects, and it only takes a few minutes to take effect. Without any chemicals or other ingredients to irritate the skin, users benefit from “energy medicine technology,” which can help users deal with up to 24 hours of relief from pain.

The technology behind this method is centered around the application of quantum physics, using 200 natural pain relievers that take advantage of the body’s natural impulses. It also uses a few natural ingredients, including turmeric, ginger, magnesium, and chamomile. To get the patches, the total cost is $40.

Signal Relief

Signal Relief offers its own patented techniques to alleviate the damage in the nervous system to release discomfort. It doesn’t require any oral medications, and users get long-lasting relief (unlike some other patches). This patch works quickly to eliminate pain, and it is relatively cost-effective for users as well. The specific effects are pretty vague, but the nanotechnology is patented to ensure that other brands cannot perform the same methods effectively. For these patches, the total cost is $169.

iReliev TENS Mini Pain Relief Patch

iReliev’s TENS Mini Pain Relief Patch helps the user block pain signals with a mini wireless unit, and it provides the user with customizable settings. It can be used at home or in a clinic, and it is fully portable to meet the user’s needs. The device also comes with a wireless battery, two electrode pads, and a TENS device. The stimulation gives a sensation that is much like a massage. The total cost of this patch is $49.95.

Grown Science Broad Spectrum Nano CBD Patch

Grown Science’s Broad Spectrum Nano CBD Patch uses CBD to soothe the user’s pain. With this patch, users get both hydrogel and nano CBD as a way to soothe the body topically. The skin absorbs the CBD into the muscles, and it delivers healing to the endocannabinoid system. It can also help with absorption.

This patch is one of the only options that use hydrogel CBD on the market, though it is combined with distilled water, coconut oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, and other compounds to help with the balance of CBD. To get this patch, the total cost is $19.

Envy CBD Relief Wraps

Envy CBD Relief Wraps can work on multiple areas throughout the body, using 50 mg of CBD. Each wrap comes in a three-pack, which means that users get a total of 150 mg per package. Besides CBD use, users will benefit from ingredients like Centella Asiatica extract, polygonum cuspidatum root extract, and Scutellaria baicalensis root extract. These ingredients are meant to reduce inflammation with antioxidant and antibacterial benefits. Users can apply for CBD relief within about 30 minutes to start working. The total cost of a 3-pack of the wraps is $44.99.

FeelZing

FeelZing patch both alleviates pain and provides neurostimulation. The proprietary waveform activates specific receptors in the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Instead of placing the device where the pain is, users set the patch behind their ears. Once it is in place, the patch will help the user with their energy and focus, promoting better sleep and pain relief.

This patch is made for individuals that want more than one benefit from the patches, and the creators behind this remedy have already backed it up with over ten years of research first. Plus, it is relatively affordable at just $14.

StaminaPro

StaminaPro only takes a few minutes to work, and the patches will provide pain relief for the rest of the day. It helps alleviate both pain and inflammation, and the patch is no more significant than the size of a credit card. Users that want more coverage can purchase wider straps for their back, and they will get a similar experience to that of Luminas.

The patches provide users with a balance of amino acids, adaptogens, antioxidants, green tea, B vitamins, vitamins, minerals, lavender, and more. The electrons involved will deal with the pain relatively quickly, and it is directly marketed to athletes. The total cost of the patches is $50.

Hemp Bombs CBD Patches

Hemp Bombs is another remedy on the market that helps users reduce pain through CBD. There are two patches to choose from – one for pain and one for better sleep. The patch goes directly onto the skin, and the CBD will slowly absorb into the skin to give relief, which feels cooking. Users will get the benefits of both CBD and lidocaine to alleviate the pain. Users will need to keep the patch on for 8-12 hours to get the desired benefits.

CBD is often used as a way to reduce pain and eliminate inflammation. Users will only need to pay $25 to get these CBD pain relief patches.

CBD Infused Patch

The CBD Infused Patch by Social also uses CBD as a method of relief. Users will get pure CBD hemp extract in every single patch, and it will slowly release over 24 hours. Users choose the dose they get from the pack, choosing from 20 mg, 60 mg, or 100 mg. The patches won’t fall off due to sweat or another contact with water, making it easy to ensure that they work through the next 24 hours.

Social CBD is a brand that develops many different products, like creams, lotions, and ointments. Ensuring consumers can trust this brand offers all lab tests online to show the formulas’ purity and potency. To get the patches, the total cost ranges from $7.99 to $49.99.

The Good Patch Soothe

Soothe is a pain relief remedy from The Good Patch, offering relief from muscle ache and soreness issues. The primary sources of relief for users are menthol and capsaicin, which are sourced directly from plants. They’re used in many remedies for their powerful effects and can be purchased in a package of 4 for $12. Users can also order up to 40 packages for $90.

Melzu

Melzu uses ingredients based on a Japanese herbal remedy, including menthol, methyl salicylate, and camphor. The remedy is exclusively meant to help with the pain due to muscle fatigue, general achiness, joint stiffness, sprains, and strains. The user should only apply the patch to a clean surface, separating the anti-adhesion paper from the back of the patch. It is meant to move around with the user, and there are small holes across the top to maintain circulation.

Though there are refund policies with many other patches, the same is not true of Melzu, so it doesn’t rank as high as other products on the list. The total cost of these patches is $20.

Kaydia Wellness

Kaydia Wellness’s patches use a combination of CBD, camphor, method, capsicum, and additional natural ingredients to target the pain. Unlike other products on this list, this patch deals with both specific muscle and joint pain, along with menstrual pain. It can be used for the back, legs, head, and more, but there is no refund policy if the remedy doesn’t work for the user’s needs. This patch is available for $50.

Best Pain Relief Patches on Amazon for 2021

Though many patches are found on the official websites for many of these remedies, users will find that browsing for patches on Amazon can be quite fruitful. Here are some of the top-selling pain relief patches on the major retailer’s website today.

Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch

The Salonpas Pain Relieving Patch offers external pain relief to alleviate the tension and pain associated with arthritis, muscle strains, sprains, and other damage. Users can simply apply the patch directly to get the camphor, menthol, and methyl salicylate benefits that make the patches work. These ingredients have already been used in many remedies to help with soreness that pain relief patches can provide relief. To get this patch, the total cost is $22.

Bengay Ultra Strength Pain Relieving Patch

Bengay is one of the biggest names in pain relief today, so it should come as no surprise that they have a pain relief patch that can help. Users will find that this patch can deal with muscle and joint pain, with the added benefit of being the top-recommended OTC brand for pain relief by doctors. It also only costs $9.49.

Biofreeze Pain Relief Patch

Many professionals use the Biofreeze Pain Relief Patch, including chiropractors, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and massage therapists. The cooling effect is due to the use of menthol, which is backed up by scientific evidence to show the positive impact that it can have on the body. Many professionals find the daily use of this remedy to be quite helpful.

To get the benefits, users will need to apply the remedy up to four times a day. Users who want to avoid that patch can also use pain relief as a gel, ointment, or cream. However, the patch is available for $9.

Determining the Rankings of the Top Pain Relief Patches

Every single one of these remedies has the same ability to relieve pain. However, every patch doesn’t work the same way, and there are many hoaxes on the market today. To ensure that users get high-quality products that work, there were specific criteria that the products had to meet.

Effectiveness in Achieving Pain Relief

Some products use clinical trials to ensure that these patches eliminate the pain that they claim to. Other patches can’t prove this benefit, so the ones that managed to reach this list had to alleviate pain at a rapid pace.

Scientific Evidence and Proof of Clinical Trials

The patches can’t only be effective by the claims of the customers – they also have to have evidence of effectiveness. This evidence can be in the form of clinical trials or third-party lab tests. Some patches are even reviewed in journals, while others show the support behind the ingredients they use.

Active Ingredients

The active ingredients in these formulas play a pivotal role in how effective the remedy will be. Researchers have already studied certain ingredients and verified through different clinical trials to show that they were safe. Unproven ingredients don’t quite offer the same consistency, which is why proven ingredients were preferred.

Transparency

To know that this product is precisely what it advertises, companies need to be honest about its products. While a proprietary blend wouldn’t be excluded, the use of these ingredients had to be clearly stated to allow users to see precisely what remedies were used. Less forthcoming companies did not get a place on this list.

Advertised Benefits

Even though supplements and non-medication solutions aren’t regulated quiet in the way that medicines are, restrictions still exist regarding what is allowed to be claimed. The honest companies about the benefits of these ingredients and what they have been proven to do were prioritized.

Ease of Use

When it comes to taking advantage of the benefits that the packages offered, the entire point of these patches is easy. The patches generally just have to apply patch after removing the protective layer for the adhesive, and the user can wear it all day long. The pain patches that don’t have suitable adhesive or are complicated to put on would not be worthy of this list.

Side Effects

Simply put, these products shouldn’t have any side effects associated with them. However, some pain patches warn users of possible adverse reactions, and those patches did not get a spot on the list.

Cost and Value

The amount of money users want to spend on their pain patch can range drastically, from $10 to over $200. While the cost doesn’t necessarily mean that the quality would be inadequate, the cost had to show value at any price.

Refund Policy

Since every person reacts differently to these pain patches, the companies that offer a return policy or a refund policy were prioritized. Companies that ranked lower on the list do not have refunds available, suggesting that they don’t have the same confidence in retaining their profits.

Who Should Use a Pain Relief Patch?

Pain relief patches can work for anyone to alleviate pain for a short time. They are not a long-term solution for pain, but some companies offer up to 24 hours of relief while they are on the body. Users that constantly struggle with muscle aches, joint pain, and other forms of discomfort can significantly benefit from the use of these patches. Often, the companies will list different types of pain that can be handled using patches, like sciatica pain and neck pain.

Managing pain with medication that is taken orally can be a slippery slope for consumers. These medications often come with side effects with prolonged use, and patients can become addicted or dependent. They can also start to deal with liver damage with time, but the use of these patches comes without any side effects.

Ultimately, the people who would benefit the most from the use of pain relief patch include:

• Individuals with arthritis, back pain, neck pain, and other chronic pain
• Individuals with migraines, headaches, and head pain
• Anyone who wants to avoid the potential side effects that are typically associated with oral medications
• Individuals who recently experienced soreness or injury from athletic activity
• Anyone who wants to treat their pain naturally or without invasive methods

Regardless of whether the user wants to get temporary pain relief or repeated solutions for pain, these patches are easy to use daily for many different types of pain.

Benefits of a Pain Relief Patch

A pain relief patch can significantly help individuals who want to ease their aches and pains. They are much easier on the body than medication, surgery, or other options available today, which is why they have risen in popularity.

No Side Effects

The main reason consumers gravitate towards the use of pain relief patches is the lack of side effects. They use natural ingredients, and users don’t have to worry about how their digestive system might react with prolonged use.

No Use of Medication

While pain medication and other types of medication can be somewhat helpful, they also come with a wealth of side effects that most consumers will deem too dangerous. The fact that pain relief patches have no side effects and work without using products like naproxen and aspirin is a distinct advantage.

Fast-Acting Relief

Most of the pain relief patches on the market won’t take long to be effective, working within minutes to absorb the compounds used. Even the patches that use the body’s electrical systems will only take a few seconds to get to work on the user’s pain.

Longer Lasting Effects

The effects of pain relief patches often last much longer than what users get from medication. Instead of only lasting 4-8 hours with repeated doses, these patches can last up to 24-48 hours every time they are applied. Some of the patches on this list also offer other helpful benefits, like relaxation and improved sleep.

Convenient and Discreet

Pain relief patches don’t need to be obvious or bold. Instead, the patches are often just placed on the skin, and users can easily conceal them with clothing and accessories. There’s no need to break out a bottle of painkillers in public, and users won’t have to worry about losing their medication while traveling. Users can often wear the patches through the day and night to get relief.

Proven and Based on Science

Even though pain relief patches are relatively new, the ingredients and methods used have to come with proof. Lidocaine, for example, is backed by clinical studies to show the effect it can have on the body. There’s even evidence behind the use of the body’s electrical impulses to stimulate relief.

If the cause behind the relief could not be verified, it could not be included on this list.

Scientific Evidence for Pain Patches

Many different forms of scientific evidence have backed the use of a topical patch for pain relief, and even customers report experiencing profound relief. However, since the quality and the ingredients behind these products can vary, the experience can also. Some of the patches in the market have no evidence or support, which is why it is so important to know what someone is getting into.

In 2003, researchers examined the effect of lidocaine patches on pain with a 5% concentration. While some of the participants were given a placebo, others were given a lidocaine patch. In the group with the lidocaine patch, patients reported a drastic reduction in their pain and had no side effects. By the end of this study, the researchers determined that lidocaine patches were an effective form of pain relief.

Lidocaine has also been tested for the effectiveness it has for intravenous use. A 2000 study showed that using these injections was able to alleviate many different causes of pain.

Many of the top pain relief patches on the market use menthol, known for the cooling effect. In one review study, researchers took into account many different trials that compared the effect of menthol to the pain relief it allegedly offered. Menthol was linked to the decrease of pain by the researcher, and they reported that the impact typically set in within an hour of the application. This pain relief continued for up to 3 hours for some patients. However, the researchers stated that additional research was needed to conclusively say if the patients felt actual relief or simply the cooling effect.

In a separate study in 2014, researchers discovered that the topical use of the mind offers massive relief from manual laborers’ chronic pain. During the study, researchers placed the menthol on the skin directly, and the patients exhibited signs of acutely reduced pain while actively working. This study helped the researchers to conclude that neuropathic pain and chronic pain could equally benefit from the use of menthol.

Another common ingredient in these patches is methyl salicylate. Methyl salicylate changes in the body when the user consumes it, quickly becoming salicylic acid instead. Researchers examined the effects of a pain relief patch with both menthol and methyl salicylate in a 2010 study, working to see how they impacted muscle straining. With a combination of the two substances, patients experienced impressive relief from the pain they experienced with muscle strains.

Some pain patches don’t use any of these ingredients at all to achieve the pain relief effects. Instead, they use the body’s electrical system, activating specific receptors with nanotechnology or other types of technology. These patches typically offer their own studies and evidence to back up their products, like Kailo.

The early results of a clinical trial by Kailo were released in 2021, discovering that 97% of patients were happy with the results of the patch. These satisfied patients preferred using the patch over oral medication, and they collectively reported that the pain severity was reduced by 71%. These same patients also reported no side effects.

Other patches on the list – like Luminas and Signal Relief – do not have any studies that back them up to show their pain relief. However, with turmeric backed up by many studies already, the companies prioritize reducing inflammation to ease the pain.

FAQs About Pain Patches

Q: What exactly is pain?

A: Pain is a signal sent by the nervous system, telling the brain that something is wrong. Many types of pain exist, though it can arise in the form of tingling, stinging, prickling, aching and burning. Pain can be intense and sharp or dull and mild. While some pain remains for long periods, other types of pain last for a long time.

Q: What is myalgia?

A: Myalgia is muscle pain. It is the medical term used to describe this problem.

Q: How does pain relief medication help users?

A: When individuals take pain medication, they send a signal to the brain rather than the area where they feel the discomfort. The purpose of these medications is to interfere with the way that the brain sends pain signals.

Q: Why do consumers feel pain?

A: Pain is caused by a message between the nerve endings and the brain.

Q: What is chronic pain?

A: Chronic pain means that the discomfort that the individual experiences are difficult or impossible to control with medical treatments. It is sometimes referred to as chronic pain syndrome, and it is characterized by lasting for a duration of greater than 12 weeks. Chronic pain is incurable through medications, therapy, and other solutions may be proposed in most cases.

Q: What does “pain management” mean?

A: This term is used to describe the process of diagnosing, treating, and handling different types of pain. The plan established by the patient’s doctor may include injections, medication, social support, physical therapy, and psychological treatment.

Q: What is a pain management doctor?

A: This type of doctor deals explicitly with both chronic and acute pain.

Q: Is there a chance of becoming addicted to pain medication?

YA: es. Insulin, antidepressants, and pain medication all have the potential to cause dependency. However, dependence is not the same as forming an addiction. Addiction is due to a physiological desire for the pharmaceutical described. Pain medication, when taken consistently, could cause the body to become tolerant of the substances.

Q: What is acute pain?

A: Acute pain occurs due to becoming injured, like stubbing a toe or falling during physical activity. While this type of pain can be very intense, it also doesn’t last long.

Q: Is there a chance that acute pain can progress to chronic pain?

A: Yes. Acute pain has to be treated appropriately to avoid the progression to chronic pain. If the same pain continues for over three months, doctors will consider the discomfort to be chronic pain. Furthermore, there’s a greater chance of eventually becoming chronic pain if peripheral nerves are damaged.

Q: What is the best time to have pain treated?

A: If pain continues beyond three months, a doctor should help address it.

Q: Is every pain medication addictive?

A: No. The risk varies from one product to the next. Speaking with a medical professional can give a clearer view of how addictive medication may be.

Q: Is there a risk of becoming addicted to pain relief patches?

A: No. The patches don’t have any ingredients in their composition, so users won’t have to worry that they’ll form a dependency or addiction. Opioids have this potential, but menthol, camphor, and other natural ingredients won’t. Patches that use the natural electricity of the body also are non-addictive.

Q; Are pain patches safe?

A: Absolutely. These patches contain no dangerous substances, and no side effects have been reported for any of the remedies on this list.

Q: What are the side effects of pain patches?

A: Pain relief patches are unique in their composition because they don’t cause any side effects for users. However, to reduce the risk of unwanted and unpredictable outcomes, users should make sure to follow the complete instructions provided.

Q: What does a chiropractor do to treat pain?

A: The chiropractor’s job is to adjust and align the joints, releasing the pain from that area of the body. Some of these therapists also use massage as a way to ease the pain.

Q: How can consumers mentally block off the pain?

A: Some mental techniques include biofeedback and psychophysiology, which help to manage the issue. Enduring a behavioral medicine evaluation or getting a consultation with a physician can help as well. Pharmacotherapy and cognitive pain management both help consumers that want to take a more natural routine.

Q: What is a nerve block?

A: A nerve block uses the medicine as either an anesthetic or an anti-inflammatory remedy on the specific nerves causing pain. They are a method of pain management, but they often require approval or recommendation from a doctor.

Q: Will sufferers of chronic pain have to deal with it for life?

A: Not necessarily. The right kind of treatment can help anyone live the life they should without the constant struggle of pain.

Q: How does a pain relief patch work?

A: Every pain relief patch has some form of transdermal drug delivery system (TDDS). Often, the delivery of the ingredients occurs through an infused fabric patch, and it adheres to the skin to deliver the support.

Q: How long does it take to experience pain relief with a patch?

A: The total wait time varies from one product to the next, but most companies don’t take more than an hour to work. Some remedies only take a few seconds to make a difference.

Q: How long can the user continue to get pain relief from a patch?

A: Again, the experience varies with each patch. While some only last a few hours, others can be worn for 12+ hours with consistent performance.

Q: How long can a pain relief patch be safely worn?

A: The specific instructions with the pain relief patch will state how long the patch can safely be worn. Some patches must be removed by 8 hours, while others can remain on the body for up to 48 hours. Always check the included instructions.

Q: Can users cut their pain relief patch to match the area that they want to cover?

A: This adjustment is not often recommended by the manufacturer. It can influence the effectiveness of the patch, mainly if it uses electric impulses from the body.

Q: Is it safe to exercise while wearing this type of patch?

A: The majority of pain relief patches require that the user relax and engage in a bit of exercise. However, other patches are created to be used while in motion, so they resist sweating and water.

Q: How does the Kailo patch work?

A: Kailo doesn’t use transdermal technology at all. Instead, it uses natural electrical symbols, interfering with the pain signals sent to the brain when the user is injured or in some other type of discomfort.

Q: Will the pain patch eventually stop being usable?

A: Most pain relief patches on the market today need to be replaced periodically because they allow active ingredients to soak into the skin. After the ingredients are no longer usable, the pain relief patch will no longer work. Pain patches that use non-transdermal technology can be used multiple times without replacement.

Q: Is it safe to get a pain relief patch wet?

A: It depends entirely on the patch. Some of the pain patches are water-resistant, while others can be fully submerged with no potential damage.

Q: How should the user apply a pain patch?

A: Most patches require users to be applied to clean skin, after which time it can be pressed onto the area that needs relief.

Q: What is an NSAID?

A: NSAID is an abbreviation for “non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.” They are used to alleviate inflammation and reduce fever.

Q: Who is not a good candidate for a pain patch?

A: Much like NSAIDs and other pain medications, these patches shouldn’t be used for women who are either pregnant or nursing. If the user has a medical condition, they should speak with a medical professional before incorporating a pain relief patch into their routine.

Q: Will menthol relieve pain?

A: According to scientific studies, menthol pay has an analgesic and counter irritant effect. This ingredient is supposed to reduce inflammation and activate different receptors in the body.

Q: How does methyl salicylate work?

A: Methyl salicylate has a similar reaction to salicylic acid in the skin, inhibiting its effect on prostaglandin. It also reduces irritation.

Q: Is it safe to use pain medication at the same time as a pain relief patch?

A: There should be no adverse interaction between these two types of remedies. However, if this is a long-term solution for a medical condition, consult a doctor first.

Final Thoughts on the Top Pain Relief Patches

Since 20% of Americans suffer from some type of chronic pain, finding a way to manage it is essential. Medication sometimes is overwhelming for the body, and it doesn’t work for long before an increase in the dosage is necessary. The use of a pain relief patch is helpful to individuals with either chronic or acute pain, and it can be used for both short-term and long-term suffering.

If an individual wants to see the effect that pain relief patches can have on their body, they can choose any of the top pain relief patches on this list to start.

RELATED: Kailo Pain Patch Reviews: Real Nanotech Pain Relief Results?

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Disclaimer:

Please understand that any advice or guidelines revealed here are not even remotely a substitute for sound medical advice from a licensed healthcare provider. Make sure to consult with a professional physician before making any purchasing decision if you use medications or have concerns following the review details shared above. Individual results may vary as the statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.