Pain relief/heat cream use on race day

Triathlon Forum
1

Does anyone have any experience using pain relief creams/rubs on race day (pre-race)?

If so did it help? Are there any downsides (ie damage to wetsuit)?

I have extremely tight neck and upper back muscles (scalenes, traps etc) which can cause problems during a race. On a whim I tried using a cream (Flexpower) prior to a long run last night. Perhaps it was just the placebo effect, but I felt like it helped, so I am considering trying it before my next HIM.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
T

2

Shouldn’t be an issue as long as you have tested it in training first. Couple of things: I can see where if you are not careful, the cream might transfer all over your body when you go through transition. Last thing you want is to get it on your hands and then wipe your eyes or something during the bike/run. Also, pain relief creams/rubs are basically placebo anyway. They create a “fake” heat feeling that covers the pain, but doesn’t do much. Only a true heat pad would warm the area up.

3

I was once told by a very experience Sports Med Doc - the only good topical creams do - is if they are rubbed on by a 6’2" Swedish woman!! (or Man as is your want!!) - but as you say if they have a placebo effect then go for it - but as the OP said be careful of it running into your eyes etc.

Hope this helps and good luck with your race …

4

I use Kool N Fit Sport, love it, haven’t noticed any wetsuit damage from it, but since it evaporates about 1’ after you apply it there’s no much left to damage anything. They have a pain relief formula as well, basically the same thing but a little stronger.

http://www.koolnfit.com

Does anyone have any experience using pain relief creams/rubs on race day (pre-race)?

If so did it help? Are there any downsides (ie damage to wetsuit)?

I have extremely tight neck and upper back muscles (scalenes, traps etc) which can cause problems during a race. On a whim I tried using a cream (Flexpower) prior to a long run last night. Perhaps it was just the placebo effect, but I felt like it helped, so I am considering trying it before my next HIM.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
T

5

thanks everyone for the feedback

I’ll try it once more in my next brick and see how it goes.

6

Try Biofreeze. I usually get pain on the outside/front of my calf during stage races or long climbing races and the Biofreeze seems to reduce the pain, if anything, the placebo affect works. Plus it smells nice and minty.

7

don’t use too much and assume more = better

quote –
…high school track star who suffered from the typical aches and pains that result from a grueling training regimen. For relief, she covered her legs with large amounts of muscle cream. The 17-year-old died from an accidental overdose of methyl salicylate, the wintergreen-scented ingredient found in liniments like BenGay, Icy Hot and Tiger Balm, the New York City medical examiner’s office said last week…Topical application of methyl salicylate can be hazardous if it is smeared over 40 percent of the body, if someone has a skin condition or if another medication interacts negatively with the products